Week Seven Reflection Question

Question #3 How can a classroom web site improve communications with students, parents, and community? What is an acceptable use policy? What impact does it have on the use of the Web in the classroom?


Many teachers utilize classroom web sites to improve communications with the students, parents and the community. To increase communications with the students, the web site can contain class assignments with instructions for completion, as well as homework assignments. This can be updated daily or weekly. The web site could also contain a frequently asked question (FAQ) section anticipating commonly asked questions. It could contain information concerning the grading system. It could provide links to other relevant sites, such as the school’s computer use policy. In addition, it can provide multimedia learning experiences utilizing voice, animation, and movie video.

It also provides a means for students to communicate with the teacher, especially those students that are too shy to ask questions in class. The web site can allow for email or electronic chat services, allowing for synchronous, recorded text pages. Finally the site could contain a forum and/or blog section to increase student interaction.

A class web site can build bridges to parents and community. The web site allows parents to share in classroom events and keeps them involved with their children’s activities. Posting of assignments and homework allows parents to monitor the preparation of their child for class. By using a secure service to post grades and attendance, parents can immediately access their child’s progress. Using the electronic chat and email provisions of the web site allows parents to communicate directly with the teacher, whether public or private, without having to play phone tag.

The inclusion of a community page, along with the posting of current and upcoming events, allows the teacher to build community partnerships. The web site could be used to solicit volunteers. There are many people in the community that have valuable experience that could be beneficial to the students.

The purpose of an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is to avoid abuse of the internet. It is usually established by the district or the school. It articulates the ways in which the internet can be used by the students. It typically requires parental confirmation of understanding as well as consequences for violations.

The AUP impacts the use of the internet in the classroom because the school, and therefore the teacher, is responsible for limiting access to websites that contain inappropriate information for children. The teacher must be ever vigilant to abuse of the policy.