Building your Subject Webpage

Not sure where to start when thinking about making a webpage for your subject?
Here are a collection of successful ideas that we've used and why we like them.

What's on the Exam?

Before our house exams, as well as discussing the exam in class, I put details on the website of what topics will be on the exam, what project work is required and when it's due. I also give an outline of the exam (short questions, long questions etc)  and guidelines on time management.
This is a simple one that makes a big difference, especially for the weaker students.
  • It helps the more disorganised students who forget what's coming up
  • It stops me answering the same question again and again
  • It removes any misunderstandings about what coursework is required
  • It allows resource teachers to easily check what will be on my exam
  • It helps parents who are working with the students at home

What did we do in class today?

This idea was inspired by Noel Cunningham who wrote about it here. I create a Google Sheet where I can write a short summary of what we did in class and what our homework was.  I've also started providing links to the homework if possible and to other webpages with tutorials related to the homework.
  • Great way of keeping a simple record of everything we did
  • Students can see what they missed if they were absent (and are expected to check)
  • No more excuses about not knowing there was homework!
  • Parent's love it because they can check if their darling really does have no homework
  • Great as an organisational tool for repeating modules in TY or for TY modules with groups working on different projects.
  • You can keep a private copy as a planning tool
  • It allows me to look back and see how long I spent of topics when creating plans for this year.

How to do it?
  1. Create a Google Sheet or take a copy of one of mine. (When taking a copy, it's easiest to copy a class with the same number of classes per week.)
  2. Put the dates in for the first week and then use a formula to +7 to get the next week
  3. Adjust the rest of the content
  4. Click on Share and make it public to anyone with the link
  5. Put this link in your webpage