My first evaluator is Jennifer. She works for the Park Hill School District as an Elementary Instructional Coach. I have known Jennifer for 8 years and she has provided me with many learning opportunities to improve my instructional craft. I asked Jennifer to complete the evaluation on my website because she has over 25 years of experience in the elementary education field. She has worked with many teachers, especially those who have created and implemented a Classroom Website. I know she will review my website with a critical eye and provide me with substantive feedback. Jennifer used Google Chrome 75.0.3770.100 on her Lenovo Think Pad Yoga 260 to complete the evaluation.
My second evaluator is Sara. She works for the Park Hill School District as an Elementary Art Teacher. Her oldest son will attend my elementary school starting in the fall as a Kindergartener. I asked Sara to complete the evaluation on my website because she fits my target audience perfectly. Her feedback in terms of the type of information she would like to see included within the website is vital to me. I know she will review my website with attention to detail. Sara used Google Chrome 75.0.3770.100 on her Surface Pro to complete the evaluation.
My third evaluator is Johna. She works for the Park Hill School District as an Elementary Kindergarten teacher. Furthermore, she is a student within the University of Missouri Technology Education Specialist Program. I asked Johna to complete the evaluation on my website because she has experience with html and coding. Furthermore, she is an elementary teacher with her own classroom website. I will look at her feedback for html coding advice specifically. I know she will give me honest and helpful feedback. Johna used Safari 7.0 on her MacBook Air Retina, 12-inch to complete the evaluation.
In regards to Design, all evaluators noted that the color scheme chosen was easy on the eyes. The light background color made the darker text easy to read. Both Jennifer and Johna noted that in regards to my vertical navigation bar, it was difficult at times to distinguish which text were links and which were not. The evaluator with html coding experience, recommended adding a darker shade element to my Navigation Links so they would appear more distinguishable. Sara, the evaluator with an artistic background, noted that some pictures appeared distorted especially on the “All About Me” page. I have received this same feedback from the class discussion board. The student on the class discussion board with html coding experience recommended adjusting the width and height of my images.
In regards to Content, all evaluators noted that information presented was useful and served its purpose as a classroom website. All three evaluators liked the detailed descriptions that went with each “Extended Learning” Link. Johna, the evaluator with html experience, recommended using an thumbnail/icon for each website link rather than text. This would be easier for my primary school aged students to access educational websites. I would look to her advice on how to copyright the use of these educational website icons. Sara also recommended providing relative links to the first grade curriculum that highlights the standard/objective each educational website supports. This would require more integration of relative links. Both recommendations would support the needs of my target audiences. Jennifer reinforced the importance of keeping my classroom website current so parents access it on a continual basis. I feel that having my weekly newsletter as an html coded image and external links to Google Classroom Photos will ensure that my website can be updated in a timely and efficient manner.
In regards to Credibility, all three evaluators noted that contact information was presented at both the top and bottom of the homepage. Jennifer suggested including the direct phone line number of the principal, vice-principal, and school counselor as well. All three evaluators felt that my credibility was established with my inclusion of my Classroom Personal Beliefs. Johna noted the importance of updating my copyright date anytime I update my website. Currently, all photographs included on my website are my own personal images. However, for future reference if I would like to include an outside photograph, Johna has provided me with the recommendation of using Creative Commons to find photos with copyright releases.
| Design | Content | Credibility | |
| Jennifer | 4.5 | 5 | 5 |
| Johna | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Sara | 4.5 | 5 | 5 |
Based on user feedback, I would argue that my website supports the three use cases outlined within my design document. The purpose of my website was to provide a user-friendly resource for improving communication with my classroom families. Specifically, the goals for my website included access to teacher contact, calendar of events with parent resources, background information about the teacher, daily schedule, photo album, and extended learning opportunities. I have met all of these goals within my website.
My first use case was a parent who used the website to access photographs of his/her child. I created a Class Photo Album Tab within my website. All external links are connected with Google Photo. I implemented the feedback given by my instructor to have a clear explanation on how access to Google Photos would be provided.
My second use case was a parent who used the website to access a current weekly calendar of events. I included this information in my Class Newsletter within the Buzzin’ News Tab. It is important to note that in my design document, I noted having a specific area where parents could access necessary files to complete and print off at home (i.e. Field Trip Permission Form, etc.) However, I did not load any relative links as of yet due to lack of access to such forms at this time during the school year.
My third use case was a parent and his/her child that used the website to access extended learning opportunities/websites. I included external links to both Reading and Math websites. I included a description with each link and password information. As recommended by one of my evaluators, it would be nice to include thumbnails of the icons for each academic website. This would allow primary students to access these websites on a more independent level. This is a step of coding that I would need more time and skill to achieve.
First and foremost, it was recommended by my instructor that navigation links within the website should not open in a new tab. I have made this correction and removed the target=”_blank” html coding. This will make navigation a smoother process for my visitors. It was also recommended by the instructor, fellow classmates via the discussion board, and evaluators that I edit the sizing of some of my images so that they look more precise. I will make this change so my site looks more professional.
Another recommendation made both via the discussion board and my evaluators was to make my navigation links more distinguishable. It was noted that discerning between link text and navigation text could be confusing at times. I have decided to make this change and either change the text color of my navigation links or integrate a highlighting feature. I have also decided to remove the list of first grade teacher names from the navigation bar as this fueled the confusion with which text were internal links and which were not.
Further recommendation was to add the phone numbers of the principal, vice-principal, and school counselor to my homepage. I will make this changes and add this information on the side bar on the homepage. This will ensure that my parents have every contact point available to them.
Last but not least, it was recommended by both my instructor and evaluators, to make an introduction piece with larger text that helps focus the attention and purpose of the website for my users. I have decided to make this change. I will include a brief introduction about the purpose of the website in a size h3 header font. It was also recommended to include an Announcements section on my homepage. I have decided to do this and include this within my aside bar on the homepage.
It was recommended by one of my evaluators to have a contact forum within my website where parents could communicate with each other via the classroom website. I will not be adding this change at this time solely due to my lack of skill within this area. I will look for information on how to access this communication tool at a later time. It was also advised that I add a relative link with the exact standard that each extended learning website supported. Though I like this idea, I will not be adding this feature at this time due to major curriculum changes occurring within my district. However, this is a change I would like to make at a future date.
I found the use of the survey to evaluate my website to be the most effective for constructive feedback. I especially appreciated the comments section in which I received detailed qualitative feedback. However, I must admit I was fortunate enough to work through this class with three other colleagues of mine. Working as a group and having one-on-one conversations about how to improve our websites was bar none the most valuable learning experience.
I found having my website evaluated by users with html experience to be the most beneficial in the process. Their suggestions along with specific coding examples helped guide the development of my website the most. However, I did put a lot of time and effort into selecting evaluators with content background as well. Their insight into what type of information to inclI found having my website evaluated by users with html experience to be the most beneficial in the process. Their suggestions along with specific coding examples helped guide the development of my website the most. However, I did put a lot of time and effort into selecting evaluators with content background as well. Their insight into what type of information to include within my website as well as methods of keeping it current were extremely helpful. ude within my website as well as methods of keeping it current were extremely helpful.
The biggest benefit I have gained from this assignment is building a sense of courage to showcase my webpage design abilities. I was amazed at the kind, yet constructive feedback I received. It really opened my eyes to the type of community that webpage development can create. It truly is a continual learning process!