Staffordshire Partnership

Creating learning resources for the web

So you want to produce your own web-based resource? That’s great and we are sure you will find the process easy and useful – as long as you follow these simple guidelines!

v Guidelines

v Getting Started

Guidelines

Preparation

Before you start, make sure you know what you want to do. Plan out the resource just as thoroughly as you would a lesson.

Research shows that we don’t ‘read’ web sites in the same way as printed materials so remember these 10 Golden Rules:

1. Keep text to a minimum, computer screens are difficult to read from
2. Keep your ideas simple, lead users screen by screen.
3. Don’t assume users know what you are trying to achieve, the logic of your idea or the processes you ask them to engage in.
4. Remember that websites enable users to ‘drill down’ for more information, don’t clutter up a screen with information only a small number of users will want – give them the opportunity of linking to another page if they want
5. Plan out the page design very early on and make your ideas fit the design. Work with your designer from the earliest stage
6. Don’t write the website in one go. Always start with a simple one page treatment and then test this on your likely audience before going any further
7. Make sure you understand the technical and useability restrictions governing educational web resources – go to www. ???? to check these
8. Keep the user engaged with the site by giving them plenty to do – clicking on pictures for information, playing quizzes, answering questions, etc. Don’t just tell them,
9. Don’t write 100 words when 1 will do
10. Have fun

Writing

Research your resource thoroughly and only start detailed writing once your treatment has been tested.

When writing, divide your text up into short paragraphs. Look at other people’s resources to gauge the correct amount of words per page – don’t overload the audience.

Always write FOR your audience, not AT them

Always write to meet the design constraints of your designer

Evaluation

Keep in touch with your audience, find out what they want and engage them by meeting their needs.

Different audiences require different treatments – you may need two versions of the resource, one for pupils and one for teachers

Encourage your audience to participate and provide you with feedback and all opportunities

Design

Keep your design simple, fresh and professional.

Don’t use off the shelf designs or clip art! Think to yourself – why do you need clip art, what are you illustrating? Could your words be more engaging and dramatic?

Make sure you know and understand some of the technical restrictions imposed by the internet, for example:

Images must be small or they take ages to load

Printed pages often look different to on-screen ones

Users can easily get lost in a website so the navigation is vital

The web is always changing so make sure your design is ‘in fashion’ and easy to read

Pitfalls

The biggest pitfalls are:

Forgetting the needs of your audience

Not using good, clear navigation

Over writing

Being boring and adding material just because you researched it and you think ‘someone might like to read it’

Not reading your own material and editing it

Not testing your ideas before starting detailed writing

Not understanding the technical constraints.

Forgetting to have fun!

Best of luck….

Back to top

Getting Started

Use this template to plan out your resource:

Home Page

Title

Subtitle

Site Map

Links to:

v Introduction

v Teachers Notes

v Pupil Activities

v Feedback

Introduction

Give a simple, clear introduction to the resource – who it is aimed at, how it can be used and what the outcomes are likely to be

Teachers Notes

Provide teachers with, at the least:

Curriculum information

v Project ideas and themes

v Printable worksheets

v Using the resource

v Extension ideas

v Links to relevant sites

Pupil Activities

Have at least one on-line activity to motivate and engage pupils. Make sure this links to the project sheets offered to the teacher.

Feedback

Offer teachers the chance to email you with comments

Back to top