Why You Need a Class Webpage

Beginning last school year I started editing a class page for each of my courses. I initially used Webs.com, a free hosting site with a built in content editor. I started small, posting announcements and homework assignments, and gradually started embedding content I thought would be beneficial or entertaining to my students and doing more with it. This year, our district contracted with SchoolFusion to redo our much outdated website, and with this change every teacher in our district was given a page for each class to edit and manage. I took this opportunity and ran with it.  I even have one course that is built as an online hybrid course with all of the content online.  I have found that there are three huge benefits of building and maintaining this content:

1. It takes away excuses.
   Students have no excuse for losing a worksheet, not having notes, not knowing when something is due, etc.  Almost anything required for class each day is available online.  Students who miss days of school can still keep up with what we are doing, and I even have a couple of students who consistently come to class prepared with worksheets I haven't even handed out yet. 
2. It keeps parents informed, and they love that.
   Every time I give out the URL of our new school website to a parent and explain exactly what is there they cannot say enough about how much they love it.  I have parents who will print out the assignment their student conveniently left in their locker, and with notes from class available it helps them help their student with their work at home.
3. It provides an easy way to differentiate.
   For the high-achieving students in class, my web pages allow an easy way for them to put their skills to use or challenge themselves.  It is easy to provide relevant links to online content that allows them to further explore a topic.  Recently I have had more capable students recording digital videos of solutions to homework problems (rather than doing busy work that they can complete easily) that I upload for students to view at home as examples of correct solutions to problems.  It benefits all.

If you have the energy and capability to start and maintain a class webpage for your courses, I highly recommend it.  The video below goes into a bit more detail...