Optional Learning

Expand your knowledge by exploring this page.

Overview

There are now a number of tools that allow your students to easily create and publish their own websites. There are a number of benefits for your students when you adopt this strategy including:

Improved digital confidence
The ability to utilise 3rd part assets e.g. Maps and videos
An improved understanding of website navigation and design
An improved understanding of website safety and security
A sense of pride in producing something that is "live" and on the web

Weebly provides an online platform for students to build websites using an intuitive drag an drop editor and then publish their site on the web.

Activity

Take a look at this website here and note the following features:

Clear, easy to navigate menu
Use of images and video
Links to external website
Esthetically pleasing page layout

Although this looks like a professionally produced website it was actually built by a student with no experience in building sites and limited digital skills.

Why Does it Work?

The user interface is based around a simple drag and drop screen which facilitates a gentle learning curve
It allows students to see rapid progress
Errors can be easily undone
It can be used for project based collaborative work
It can be used for both formative and summative assessments (produce a website, rather than a report)

How could I use it?

Step 1 - Create an account at weebly.com

Step 2 - Think about a topic, perhaps a hobby that you have and build a website relating to that. It might be useful to watch this beginners guide to Weebly

Step 3 - Once you have created your own website ask your students to sign up to Weebly and ask them the make their own site. It could be for any classroom project or for a formative or summative assessment

Click on the next button to learn about digital badges