Webfails

I was surprised and distressed at our review of actual teacher websites.  For the most part, they were just plain bad.  Unorganized, no thought put into them, not updated or, even worse, not utilized at all.  It was very difficult to find examples of good teacher websites for our discussion and presentation.

Teachers, it seem, don't value the power of a well-organized website. Having one that is easy for students and parents to navigate and that is updated on a regular basis is a great tool, and an easy one at that.  I realize that teachers are busy people and that it is easy to criticize a teacher for not properly maintaining a website.  But if you've started one and held it out to parents and students as a resource for using during the school year, it is your responsibility to maintain it.  Not doing so makes you look unprofessional.  I would be embarrassed if I had a website that looked as bad as some of the ones I found looked.

I realize that there are constraints on platforms that teachers can use placed upon them by adminsters and school districts, and for good reason.  But even mandated platforms can be used in a professional manner and from my research they didn't seem as limited as they did at first sight.

Despite my initial reluctance to utilize a website, I now appreciate what a powerful tool it is, both for communication and instructional purposes.  I plan on using mine in my professional life.  I know it is't perfect and needs refinement, but it is a start and I think it will be useful as well when I begin looking for a job as an example of my technical proficiency.