What do you see as the top do's and don'ts for a good web page design? After reading about web pages and having some examples, the design web page design is an interesting tool. The book suggests having limited links. Those links should include teacher assignments, bibliographic aids, library catalogs, and of course name and contact information of the library staff. Many web pages are designed by the librarian. It is not uncommon for someone else to design and maintain the webpage such as a technology technician, teacher, students (upper grades), library aid, district office personnel, or parent volunteer. The site should suite the audience. The web page for an elementary school is a different design than what you would see for a high school. Also, the web page should comply with school colors and make sure it is readable. When designing the web page, the graphics should match the school's other web page design.
The media center's web page is very useful providing information. The information can be updated on the web page. The web page is available to all to look at from any location. It is a great communication tool between students, teachers, and the media specialist. Its purpose is geared toward students, teachers, parents, and library staff. It allows parents of prospective students and people outside the school to view, descriptive of the media center, and a reflection of the school itself. To view some schools' web pages on each grade level, the following websites are available:
North Elementary School Library Media Center(http://www.nobl.k12.in.us/North/NorthMedia/index.htm)
Milton Middle School (http://www.milton.k12.wi.us/schools/mms/website/library/MMS_LMC/Welcome.html)
Creekview High School
(https://sites.google.com/site/theunquietlibrary/)
As the media specialist, have some ideals in mind. The school district might have certain order or policies to design the web page. Other media specialists in the area are available for suggestions, so don't hesitate to ask around.
I would have to agree that the webpage design needs to meet the needs of the readers. It will look different for elementary, middle, and high schools. I did some research in my county and many of the schools were required to create a site based on the one the school was using. For example, my school uses typepad and the format is the same for all teachers and the media center. It doesn't give you much of an opportunity for change unless you offer to become the webmaster. I did see that the high school next door to us just has a link on the school home page that goes out to a galesite that they created. This allowed them to not have to look exactly like the school website.
ReplyDeletehttp://allatoonahs.galesites.com/
I too agree that many people are out there to help answer questions. You might even ask a co-worker or other media specialist to take a look at your site after you are finished so they can help make some edits and changes if necessary.
It is both interesting and exciting to view a variety of media center webpages. Who would have thought they could be so different. A webpage is such an important tool for a school media specialist to provide for the stakeholders. At a minimum the webpage should introduce the media center staff and provide contact information for them and provide links to the online catalog and online resources avaialable to the stakeholders. The webpage needs to be easy to navigate and uncluttered. Links to separate grade level MC activities and resources would be beneficial to students. Providing a link to a blog used for book reviews would be enjoyed by the stakeholders.
ReplyDeleteIn Cherokee county, the media center webpages for the schools are very similar. Our research information for this blog suggested that we view the unquietlibrary website of Creekview High School. The following link is what a person sees when they access the MC webpage from the school's website. The media specialist has then provided various links from that site. Check it out for other good resources!http://www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/creekview-hs/media_center/default.aspx
I know that many of the media specialists in our county have trouble finding the time to update the MC webpage. Without having a media clerk, they stay busy just managing the day to day operations of the media center while making sure they collaborate with teachers and provide the all important media lessons for the students.
A simple webpage is vital and better than nothing at all!
I liked your comment and questions about our top dos and don’ts. In my county, it takes an act of Congress to create a webpage with individuality. There are strict guidelines on the font, number and size of pictures, and especially the links. The rules are so demanding and overwhelming; most classroom teachers will not attempt a classroom webpage. The media specialists in the county have only the basic links to OPAC and policies. This can be very frustrating as a teacher and even more so, as a media specialist whose job is to provide information. I like the comment in a post that even a basic site is better than none at all. I agree, but hopefully our county can see the “writing on the webpage” of surrounding similar counties and decide to let media centers have a little more creative room. I do agree that webpages should follow the school’s theme and colors. It should also keep the intended audience in mind. I enjoyed working with and examining West Jackson County Middle School’s webpage. She used Shutterfly to create the webpage and offers students to create book reviews on the books they read in the library. She updates it daily. She also has a media paraprofessional. This allows her time to do this. I could easily see the webpage moving to the back burner if she did not have this aid. The examples of webpages are helpful and appreciated for helping me design a media center webpage. Thanks for the comments.
ReplyDeleteA website is many times the front line for public relations in this technology filled time in which we live. It is the place that parents, students,teachers, and community members go to find out the goings on at the school. The school website should provide the most current information to the stakeholders that visit the page. One way to have stakeholders use the website is to fill it with useful tools and links in which they can use and explore.
ReplyDeleteThe problem that arises with providing these resources is the time that is necessary on a traditional website to update the information and links. Many systems have tried to save money by removing the media clerk leaving the specialist to take the entire workload. With everything else they are required to do the website often is pushed to the back burner. I think that using a wiki or blog for the website would allow for the updating of the site to be less time consuming which would improve the quality of many sites that would have been neglected.
I also agree that the design of a web site is very important. While the links and information provided are great resources for your students, they will be less likely to stay on the page if it has a poor layout and design. I liked that you gave three examples of web pages at different levels. I especially liked the middle school page; it is bright and attractive without being cluttered. Students will want to stay on the page and browse because the links are easy to find and navigation is clear.
ReplyDelete