Mike,
I agree with you. I would also like to have a website for my students. Our parents have questions on the proper attire for physical education and having it on the website would clear up any confusion.
I really like the idea of putting local places on the website. We have a lot of transitional students so they could just go on the site to find the closest bowling alleys. I would probably add a list of coaches in our school as well as their contact information. My students are always asking when the sports season starts and who the coaches are.

I attempted to create a web page a few years ago. My district offered a web page class and I made it to one, but I was also coaching at the time and there was too much conflict of time between practice and evening class time. Needless to say, I didn't make it very far. However, this is something that I would LOVE to learn! I think this is something that I may have an opportunity to do this August through my district. We have a program called EdLine, where parents can check their child's grades online. I learned how to upload my grades this school year. There are pros and cons to this.....as a parent of a middle schooler myself, it was great to see my daughter's grades. Sometimes I saw them even before she knew about it! However, as a teacher, I received emails from parents wanting to know why I didn't update every other day. Or, they wanted to know more info about a certain assignment that was missing. That was a bit irritating. Anyway, through this EdLine program we will be able to create sort of a web page. We can post messages and announcements for our classes. Things like: what to wear for PE, PE makeups, grading policy, etc.

Our district has an awesome website with the capatility for every teacher to have their own link to a personal website. From what I know about maintaining a website (which is not a lot!), it sounds like it can be time consuming. On the other hand, if if helps to communicate more with parents, maintaining a website would be a plus.

My district too offered parents the opportunity to view grades online. We use the grading program Pinnacle, which has a parent viewer on the internet. As a parent I see how this could be helpful, however, as a teacher I found that I had to justify my grading system. Some parents felt that as long as their child dressed everyday that they should receive an “A” and that I shouldn’t take into account that they stand in one spot and do nothing.

As for parents complaining about grades. I give students a daily grade and part of that is their effort. Maybe you could give a grade for dressing and one for participation. Also, I would like to go to using pedometers daily. Based on tghe number of steps taken, this would show me which students are highly active and which are moving very little. This could be something concrete to show the parents and it may even gets the kids moving a little more since they are being held accountable with evidence!

My district also gives teachers the option to post grades online, however most teachers don't. I am one of those teachers that updates my grades every week and I think that this would be another wonderful thing to include on my webpage. I don't know why I didn't think about that. Thanks for the suggestion!

I had the same issue and dealt with many angry parents about our grading policy. Unfortunately, not understanding they feel that dressing and showing up is enough for an A. We posted our grading policy and detailed rubrics of what we expect from kids. I still would like to work further with heart rate monitors to determine intensity of exercise in order to base our kids grades on objective data versus my subjective opinion. Unfortunately, this is expensive and we are unable to provide a heart rate monitor for each student on a daily basis.

Maintaining a web site can be time consuming, but not too bad it you stay on top of it. Once you fall behind, catching up can seem overwhelming. My advice is to periodic updating and see if your administration will let you work on it during those in-service times when the topic doesn't apply to what you teach. This is when I have done most of my web page work.

We have students as webmasters 9CLosely supervised by the media specialist) do our work. Agian, this is a high school and we have more resources because of the autonomy of the students. I agree that web page work is time consuming and to keep current would be a monster project. I don't think that we would have a webpage without student helpers.

The main thing for me would be like you to commmunicate to my parents. I ahve kids show up with no gym shoes or proper clothes to participate. That can be very frustrating. The parent communication and information for them would be great for me, so hopefully a webpage can be utilitzed by me down the road.

In response to Angela's post...web pages do not have to extremely time consuming. The most time is probably spent trying to organize and decide what information you want to upload to your site. After that, it couldn't be easier. I have created my web page (http://www.nesd.k12.pa.us/Staff_Pages/Leonardc/default.htm) using Microsoft Word. I found it easy to use and you basically just save your pages as a "Web Page" instead of a text document.
My district is also using Moodle for teachers to create their own web pages. Moodle is super easy, and provides templates, links, etc. that takes a lot of the "work" out of designing your own pages. The only constraint I see in Moodle, is you lack any opportunity to really "personalize" how your web pages look...and it requires lots of scrolling....which I think is not professional.
My district is also using an online grading program called www.mygradebook.com to provide parents with a way to track their child's progress in school. I have not had a lot of experience with the program...PE teachers, music, and art do not have to input grades....but it is a great way for teachers to communicate home.

Only a few teachers at my school currently have a web page. Out of the five, only one updates it regularly. I would really like to create a web page but I worry about the time it takes to maintain and update it. I do think it would be good PR for my program.

cindy,
we have it through my school (michigan) and i use it to post pictures and curriculum. Also, i post permission slips for field trips that the students take. It comes in very hand.

In response to the time factor to create the website of your own, our school has used students. In the computer tech class, they had students go around and collect data to produce websites for teachers. The problem was some teachers, who were not interested, let the sites lapse. It was a good way of showing the students how a school project could be used for a real purpose.
The thought the idea on in-service days would be an excellent time to create and update a site. Many times the information at those inservice are not related to the whole system, since there are many different curriculums

For me time is a huge issue to doing all of the extra work that needs to go into making a good webpage. I know this sounds like a poor excuse but with coaching and teaching I would rather spend the remainder of my downtime with my children, they're only young once.

As discussed in a previous question, I have not created a webpage. However, this upcoming school year all teachers in my district will be required to create a webpage. My district is offering training in August which I am enrolled. When I create my webpage, I intend on having my class policies posted, assignments, quiz dates, and an outline of activities to be covered in the nine weeks. This webpage will allow students to be prepared and make parents aware of what will be required of their child.

I can't believe that the district is making every teacher create their own webpage. I think that's asking a whole lot out of everyone. I think what you are planning on including in your webpage is great.

This year our school district wants all classroom teachers to have a web site, but special areas will not have to have one.

#4
I have no experience with creating a webpage. I have created a blog for our High School PE Department. I can see the value of a webpage. It gives parents and students a place to go if they have questions about your class, assignments, grading policies or concerns about their son or daughters performance.
My sons are in middle school. When I have questions about their grades or assignments I go to the teachers webpage first and send emails later.

My district is also requiring us to create webpages for the 2013-14 school year. I think this is great as long as the teachers follow through and actually use their webpages to increase learning and collaboration.

What are you using for your webpages? Is it the same one for all teachers or are you finding your own? We use Moodle - all teachers are required to maintain a page - and so the kids know how to navigate it (and parents as well). It has some nice features (syncs with our gradebook system and has online assignment uploading and online grading). However, I am looking at linking from there to another webpage. I'd be interested in what you are using to develop a PE page.

My district has never offered any assistance or training in developing a website. I wish my district would be more proactive and encourage teachers to develop websites. I think you are lucky to work in such a technology-friendly district that would offer such training!

Yes, I have created a Webpage. It was many years ago and I created it as a link to my "spot" on the school website. The purpose of my website was to inform parents a little bit about myself, my philosophy and class rules/expectations of the students. I also used it to relay information and dates about some of the programs my students participate in, such as Punt, Pass, & Kick, Jump Rope for Heart, Fourth grade Fitness Challenge, Field Day, Fitness Testing, Snow Skiing Field Trip, Physical Education Workshop, and Roller Skating unit to name a few. I actually received emails from teachers all over the US asking me questions about my PE program.

Hey Alan,

I am starting a web page for my P.E. class. It seems that you have a pretty good idea of what to include in web pages. I was wondering if you could send me your web page address, so that I could take a look at it. Also I was wondering if you have some good links attached that students can go and learn more about health and fitness.

Thanks,
Eric

No, I have not! We have a website at school fondyhigh.com We started it last year. We have students that post our design for us and set up the page the way we want it. One of our goal is to create (as much as possible) a paperless society. We post our course descriptions, class expectations, grading method and many other pieces of information. We are hoping to have links to other health and physical education websites next year but, as you know, one must crawl before they can walk.

I like the idea of students setting up the webpage. I know the majority of my students know more about blogging and setting up webpages and facebooking than I do. The prospect of posting the curriculum on the webpage is valuable as well.
Thanks for the insights.

I have never created a webpage along but worked on panel years ago during graduate school. The purpose of this webpage was to provide valid health information. This webpage included various health lessons, a message board, resources and references, and state standards.
I really want to create a website for our physical education department. It would be a great way to communicate with both parents and students. Especially our contact information, our philosophy, grading critera/scale, requirements, outline of our curriculum, and expectations.

That is exactly what we have on ours at this time. We have expanded to offer study guides in PDF form so that we don't waste paper by running off needless numbers of copies that many of the students leave behind or throw away. We want to eventually put links for surveys and other info. on the website as well.

Sandee, I feel the same way about website opportunities. I myself want to add a website for our PE program. We do have a good school website that contains a small part about our PE program. I would like our own website to work one on one with students and have the ability to send them data from pedometers and heart rate monitors. Like you, I haven't had enough time to create this website. I would have to take a class or work with someone. We'll see!

Sandee, I am in the same boat, If you get your's up and running let me know please

I have never created a webpage. I always thought it would be a great way to have information available for my students and teachers about my PE program. Hopefully I can create one at some point in the future.

I could list all requirements that students wil have throughout the year, as well as expectaions, upcoming lessons etc...

I have never created a webpage myself. I agree with you that it would be helpful and informational to students and parents if you had a website-for example-for your after school athletic team. In my case it would be my girls softball team. We could post rosters, game schedules, scores, statistics, etc. Maybe through this course I'll learn to do that.

I have never created a website. It sounds very intriguing and I look forword to creating my own one day. Websites can be used as a great resource for physical educators. We use our school website for homework assignments.

I have not posted a webpage, but I do know what it's purpose is. I have visited a number of webpages of my own kids and their teachers. My comment on the webpages is that it is very informative to the student and the parent. Not only are we allowed to see what the teacher teaches, but it allows us to view the grades as they are posted.
I would like to start a webpage for my phys. ed. department with at my school and expand it to the links of the sports and activites we offer to our students. It is a great way to communicate to the parents and students who are interested!

At our school, teachers are encouraged to develop web sites for their classes. At the present time our Physical Education department has a website for all of us, and the website for the basketball program is "under construction."

At the beginning of each semester we send home information about our website to parents of our Physical Education students and how to use the e-mail link to contact individual instructors. Our website includes instructors bios, information about the courses, and any special emphasis that we have for the semester (health fair, for example).

Websites can be a great public relations tool if used properly. They do not have to be elaborate. In this age of technology, parents are impressed by those teachers who take the time to communicate and inform via technology/internet/e-mail. Physical educators can make great strides in the PR area in the school community using this approach to promote their programs.

I agree that parents are impressed with technologically adept teachers. Parents appreciate the communication and I find that if I email a parent with good information it is really appreciated. A website is excllent PR and since almost everyone of my studnets have internet capabilities at home, it will be an wonderful tool once I set it up.

I personally have not created a website. Our school has its own website that has links to teachers, programs of studies and events that are happening at the school.
At the present time, they are working on what they call "grade book". This where we input daily attendance for each student along with any grades they may recieve during the course of the tern and year (i.e. tests,grades, attendance, effort).
Once this is in place, parents will be able to go to the school's website, click on student and teacher and get their child's update instantly.

What gradeboook program is your district using? We added Skyward gradebook two years ago. Once you learn how to use it, it is awesome. It can be a huge time saver. The only disadvantage is you can't access it from the gym, which is where we tend to spend most of our time as PE teachers. Unless of course, you have a hand held, which is out of hte question with money being so tight.
Good luck with gradebook!
Mary

Our school just recently converted to the schoolmaster in every computer in the school. We are required to input attendance period by period to eliminate cutting and check for attendance irregularities.

I have looked into doing a webpage as did my previous student teacher. We had to go through many obstacles to have it posted and updated. After designing it, the principal needed to approve it, the tech department and director of the technology. Needless to say, it is not high on my list ot complete with so many other things to do in school.
I will eventually design and maintain the webpage for general information to parents, noting children who are doing wonderful things in my classes -good sportsmanship, respecting others, excellent running in the turkey trot or summer run and upcoming community signups or district sporting events.

We have never created a webpage. Our co-worker created and maintains our school's PE webpage. As part of our study in this class, we hope to created a link to our District Webpage. This link would include information based on curriculum and instruction. It would cover topics like State Standards & Goals, district mission/vision statements, civil behavior, educational ends, fitness assessments, units of study, resources, etc. This webpage would be useful to promote our PE program to community members, parents, and other staff members.

I love the sound of your webpage. I've actually been thinking about doing something similar for our school district.

We would post a lot of the same things that you're thinking about posting on yours. I figure that the more information kids and parents have at their fingertips, the better it is for them. This would alleviate a lot of questions.

I have never created a Webpage, but have talked to our tech director about creating one on several occasions. I would like to create a department Webpage. It would include the philosophy of our department, biographies of our physical education teachers, required and elective course offerings and their syllabus, expectations and requirements that are standard to all courses, classroom management and behavioral policies and a weekly schedule. We could also put a monthly newsletter on the Webpage with ideas of how families can incorporate fitness into their daily lives. We could also post information about fitness assessments of our students as a whole.

Mary- The idea of having a department website is a great idea! Something like this could be very useful to parents and students. It would make clear the expectations for physical education and the department members could take turns keeping it updated.

I created a web-page in a previous technology course I had, but it was a long time ago and I wouldn't know how to go about it now. I do have a web-page for my classes, but it's located on Teacher Web, so the "page" is actually already created - all I have to do is add my information.

I use it quite a bit - as do my students. I am able to put all of our worksheets on it, so if a student is absent or loses it, they can get on the site and print another copy. I have also put some of my Power Point presentations on it for the students to use as study guides. My students let me know if I forget to include anything on the site, so I know that they are checking it regularly. I have asked if we would ever be given an "space" on our schools web-site, but have yet to get a response, so I'll continue to use the Teacher Web site.

We have the same type of webpage available to teachers in our school district. I liked the idea of posting copies of assignments on the webpage for students to access when they are absent!

No, I have never attempted to create my own website. Although I do use a website that was created for me at my school. It is called Edline, each teacher has a spot on the school website to inform parents of weekly homework assignments, worksheets, and lesson objectives for each month. We are expected to update it every week. Parents can also access it to get information on their childs current grade in our classes.
If I created my own website I would design it to be informational to my students and parents. I would include lesson handouts, and study guides, and list upcoming phys Ed. events. If possible,I would provide information on fitnessgram results for each class and include a URL of sites to go to for fitness information. I may even feature a picture of the Phys. Ed. student of the month, if parents permit. This would be important to inform parents and students of upcoming test or projects, keep all communications open (email me if they have questions) and promote the importance of physical education.

I noticed that your school has their own website. When did your school start doing this? Do you think parents use this website for its purpose? I notice that your school has a Phys. Ed student of the month. I like this idea of student of the month in PE. What are the criteria to be eligible for this? Are there any perks besides the title?

I have created a web page once. It was for a class I was taking while I was in the BTSA program for my school district. The purpose of the website was for my students to have access to information about their PE class. The website contained the class syllabus, the daily activity, and PE standards. I thought the idea of this website would be useful for parents and students. I think a similar website would be useful for my own classes. One question I have about having my own personal website is—how much does it cost?

I myself have not created a webpage, but it is sometihing I look forwad to doing in the near future. Our football coaching staff would like to build a page with the purpose of providing players with information in the off season. We would use message boards to track fitness progress, and to keep players engaged in the program over the summer. Another thought would be to use the page to promote our program to the public and alumni. We would keep the site up-to-date with funraising efforts and opportunities to help the program.

Hi Mark! I really like your idea about creating a site for fundraising opportunities. This is a great idea especially if you can get some alumi involved. Most alumni love being a part of their high school playing days. A web page is a great way to stay connected.

I actually just created my first webpage last weekend. I recently upgraded the software for my computer and it comes with an application called iWeb. It's put out by Apple and super easy to use. I created a webpage for pictures of my family. Using it for posting pictures is all I've used it for and all I plan on using it for.

My wife is an architect and I'm trying to get her to let me do a webpage for her using the same program. It's easy to use and looks pretty good.

A website might be useful for my work by keeping a calendar on it so that students and parents know what they're doing in my class each day. Keeping everyone informed would really help out everyone.