Digital Programming - an F.A.Q.
Back to Past Sessions - Weebly
By Joel Alexander.
1. Why should I use a digital program?
Teachers already type up their programs - putting the whole thing online is just the next step for those who want to. It saves paper, has the convenience of being able to add links, videos and other practical features, and means your program never gets lost (say, on your desk under a pile of marking, or at home under the coffee table!) Teachers can also update their program as they go, making it a true 'living document'. I like being able to write lesson evaluations directly from my tablet, and when I need resources like websites, online games and even printable worksheets, they are right there in my program ready to go.
2. Does it take more time than a physical program?
Do you want it to? A digital program can be as simple as putting all your existing Word documents into Dropbox or Box.com, or even typing it all up in Google Docs or Weebly. To be honest, most teachers like to get their program looking nice, and digital programming gives you that option. I know I spent far too long last year choosing thematically-appropriate header images for each page, usually with a joke or reference that would only make sense to me! So I probably did spend longer on my program last year in that sense, but only because I chose to.
On the other hand, when I started putting together my 2014 program, I was able to carry across chunks of my program from the previous year, because I had spent the time getting the format and style right for what I wanted. This cut down the time I spent on my program significantly.
3. Privacy. How do I keep sensitive data secure?
This depends on your platform (the site or method you use for making your program). Weebly lets you password-protect individual pages, but that function needs a Pro account, which costs around $40 per year. Wix and Wikispaces let you password-protect for free (though neither site is as functional and easy to use as Weebly).
Keeping your site secure is easy, because the only people who need access other than you are your supervisor, your principal, and any casual teachers who take your class.
4. How to I store old programs?
Again, it depends on the platform. Weebly lets you download a whole site (including attached documents, links etc) as a .ZIP file, or alternatively if you need a physical copy for archival purposes you can print the pages out.
5. What about casual teachers/colleagues/bosses who are not so confident using technology?
This is a genuine downside for digital programming: the barrier for entry is higher than a physical paper program. Casual teachers especially will need internet access and at least some level of technology proficiency to be able to access and make use of a digital program, which may be too much for some, particularly if they are only taking the class for one day.
That being said, technology and the internet feature heavily in the curriculum, and teachers are expected to be proficient enough to introduce both to their students.
By Joel Alexander.
1. Why should I use a digital program?
Teachers already type up their programs - putting the whole thing online is just the next step for those who want to. It saves paper, has the convenience of being able to add links, videos and other practical features, and means your program never gets lost (say, on your desk under a pile of marking, or at home under the coffee table!) Teachers can also update their program as they go, making it a true 'living document'. I like being able to write lesson evaluations directly from my tablet, and when I need resources like websites, online games and even printable worksheets, they are right there in my program ready to go.
2. Does it take more time than a physical program?
Do you want it to? A digital program can be as simple as putting all your existing Word documents into Dropbox or Box.com, or even typing it all up in Google Docs or Weebly. To be honest, most teachers like to get their program looking nice, and digital programming gives you that option. I know I spent far too long last year choosing thematically-appropriate header images for each page, usually with a joke or reference that would only make sense to me! So I probably did spend longer on my program last year in that sense, but only because I chose to.
On the other hand, when I started putting together my 2014 program, I was able to carry across chunks of my program from the previous year, because I had spent the time getting the format and style right for what I wanted. This cut down the time I spent on my program significantly.
3. Privacy. How do I keep sensitive data secure?
This depends on your platform (the site or method you use for making your program). Weebly lets you password-protect individual pages, but that function needs a Pro account, which costs around $40 per year. Wix and Wikispaces let you password-protect for free (though neither site is as functional and easy to use as Weebly).
Keeping your site secure is easy, because the only people who need access other than you are your supervisor, your principal, and any casual teachers who take your class.
4. How to I store old programs?
Again, it depends on the platform. Weebly lets you download a whole site (including attached documents, links etc) as a .ZIP file, or alternatively if you need a physical copy for archival purposes you can print the pages out.
5. What about casual teachers/colleagues/bosses who are not so confident using technology?
This is a genuine downside for digital programming: the barrier for entry is higher than a physical paper program. Casual teachers especially will need internet access and at least some level of technology proficiency to be able to access and make use of a digital program, which may be too much for some, particularly if they are only taking the class for one day.
That being said, technology and the internet feature heavily in the curriculum, and teachers are expected to be proficient enough to introduce both to their students.