Learning From Other Educators: A Teacher Website Review
Jumping on the Technology Bandwagon:
As the world of technology is growing, everyone seems to be connected to the internet so it is important for teachers to become connected too. This week I am reviewing two teacher websites and reflecting on their benefits. The first website I picked was a History website because I wanted something that related to my content. I visited Eric Langhorst's website "Speaking of History." Langhorst is an 8th grade teacher at Discovery Middle School in Liberty, Missouri. He teaches American History, broadcasting, and technology. He also helps teachers and school districts with incorporating technology in the learning and presents at workshops and conferences. He set is website up in a blog styled format, which I thought was interesting.
Before exploring different websites and making these reviews, I viewed teacher's websites in a very black and white way. I pictured the pages that are located on a school district's website that students and parents can access for information (contact information, assignments, syllabus, and maybe some information to get to know the teacher a little bit better). Everyone knows what I am talking about, because it is the websites that we used in Middle School and High School, for example if you forgot what assignment was due or missed a day of class. Yes, these websites are important to have, but why should educators stop there?
As the world of technology is growing, everyone seems to be connected to the internet so it is important for teachers to become connected too. This week I am reviewing two teacher websites and reflecting on their benefits. The first website I picked was a History website because I wanted something that related to my content. I visited Eric Langhorst's website "Speaking of History." Langhorst is an 8th grade teacher at Discovery Middle School in Liberty, Missouri. He teaches American History, broadcasting, and technology. He also helps teachers and school districts with incorporating technology in the learning and presents at workshops and conferences. He set is website up in a blog styled format, which I thought was interesting.
Before exploring different websites and making these reviews, I viewed teacher's websites in a very black and white way. I pictured the pages that are located on a school district's website that students and parents can access for information (contact information, assignments, syllabus, and maybe some information to get to know the teacher a little bit better). Everyone knows what I am talking about, because it is the websites that we used in Middle School and High School, for example if you forgot what assignment was due or missed a day of class. Yes, these websites are important to have, but why should educators stop there?
Speaking Of History:
Langhorst used a blog format to organize his website by years. You simply click on the tab of the year you want to view, and are taken to all of the blogs posted in that time frame. He includes posts about what is going on in his classroom, his ideas, and tips/resources for other teachers to use in their classrooms. Langhorst has blog posts from 2005 to present (2017). I liked his website set up for many reasons:
1. It is a great way for parents to be involved in their students' learning. Being someone who's parents never went to parent teacher conferences because they were too busy, I think this type of website is a great alternative. Parents can easily access Langhorst's website and follow what their kids are doing in class throughout the entire year. By including pictures and videos, the parents can visually see the activities, handwork, and resources that Langhorst is implementing in his classroom.
2. Not only is Langhorst connecting with his students and their families, but he is providing information that other educators can use as well. He includes many posts about lesson plan ideas, technology use, information gained at conferences, and other tips/resources. When posting these, Langhorst not only reviews them but includes any information that someone will need to use it successfully. For example, in November of 2015, Langhorst posted about teachers using YouTube and how to become a "YouTube Superstar." He included a link to the entire video presentation, along with 7 video presentations to help with different settings on YouTube that can enhance their experience. To be a successful, teachers must always be open to new ideas to expand and grow their lesson plans, classroom environment, and knowledge. Using websites to connect with their community is a great way to do this, and I think Langhorst's website is a great example of that.
3. Creativity! Langhorst not only did blog posts, but he included podcasts and videos. When he first began his blog page, Langhorst also began a Podcast which in my opinion is genius. Sometimes people see a long paragraph(s) and decide swimming through it or not reading it is sufficient. By creating 5 minute podcasts, Langhorst created a fun and unique way to communicate with everyone visiting his website. Recently, Langhorst has also started a vlog called "History Geek Teacher," which consists of a series of episodes that shares ideas related to education, technology, and history. I thought this was a very creative idea that really opens the door to the community seeing what goes on in
both is planning process and in his actual classroom. By integrating podcasts and videos, Langhorst upgraded his website from a generic blog to a unique website that everyone can enjoy.
4. Last, I think that Langhorst's website truly showed his personality. Going through his posts, I felt like I got a glimpse of who Langhorst was as a teacher and human being. Being a great teacher is not just about knowing your content, but also about bringing your personality to the classroom in a way that impacts your students. One of my teachers once said, "teaching is all about vulnerability." Teachers are vulnerable everyday because they are responsible for promoting learning, teaching their content, and bringing life to the classroom. I think that Langhorst is able to do all three with his website. You see his geeky, fun, and dedicated aspects and it makes him more relatable.
Langhorst's website is just one example of how teachers can stay connected within the growing world of technology and shows that creating a website can be fun, simple, and rewarding. His website is just a simple blog: white background, no fancy fonts, and no crazy designs. But it does not need all of that, because as you can see it has so much more.
Langhorst used a blog format to organize his website by years. You simply click on the tab of the year you want to view, and are taken to all of the blogs posted in that time frame. He includes posts about what is going on in his classroom, his ideas, and tips/resources for other teachers to use in their classrooms. Langhorst has blog posts from 2005 to present (2017). I liked his website set up for many reasons:
1. It is a great way for parents to be involved in their students' learning. Being someone who's parents never went to parent teacher conferences because they were too busy, I think this type of website is a great alternative. Parents can easily access Langhorst's website and follow what their kids are doing in class throughout the entire year. By including pictures and videos, the parents can visually see the activities, handwork, and resources that Langhorst is implementing in his classroom.
2. Not only is Langhorst connecting with his students and their families, but he is providing information that other educators can use as well. He includes many posts about lesson plan ideas, technology use, information gained at conferences, and other tips/resources. When posting these, Langhorst not only reviews them but includes any information that someone will need to use it successfully. For example, in November of 2015, Langhorst posted about teachers using YouTube and how to become a "YouTube Superstar." He included a link to the entire video presentation, along with 7 video presentations to help with different settings on YouTube that can enhance their experience. To be a successful, teachers must always be open to new ideas to expand and grow their lesson plans, classroom environment, and knowledge. Using websites to connect with their community is a great way to do this, and I think Langhorst's website is a great example of that.
3. Creativity! Langhorst not only did blog posts, but he included podcasts and videos. When he first began his blog page, Langhorst also began a Podcast which in my opinion is genius. Sometimes people see a long paragraph(s) and decide swimming through it or not reading it is sufficient. By creating 5 minute podcasts, Langhorst created a fun and unique way to communicate with everyone visiting his website. Recently, Langhorst has also started a vlog called "History Geek Teacher," which consists of a series of episodes that shares ideas related to education, technology, and history. I thought this was a very creative idea that really opens the door to the community seeing what goes on in
both is planning process and in his actual classroom. By integrating podcasts and videos, Langhorst upgraded his website from a generic blog to a unique website that everyone can enjoy.
4. Last, I think that Langhorst's website truly showed his personality. Going through his posts, I felt like I got a glimpse of who Langhorst was as a teacher and human being. Being a great teacher is not just about knowing your content, but also about bringing your personality to the classroom in a way that impacts your students. One of my teachers once said, "teaching is all about vulnerability." Teachers are vulnerable everyday because they are responsible for promoting learning, teaching their content, and bringing life to the classroom. I think that Langhorst is able to do all three with his website. You see his geeky, fun, and dedicated aspects and it makes him more relatable.
Langhorst's website is just one example of how teachers can stay connected within the growing world of technology and shows that creating a website can be fun, simple, and rewarding. His website is just a simple blog: white background, no fancy fonts, and no crazy designs. But it does not need all of that, because as you can see it has so much more.
My Take Away:
If you have made it through that long reflection of an awesome website, I wanted to share some of my take aways. As the world of technology is growing, it seems that everyone is somehow connected to the internet so it is important for teachers to be on the internet too. I discovered that you can be connected in more ways than just having a page on your district's website. You can create a blog that showcases your personality, your classroom, and helpful resources you have used as a teacher. You can enhance that website with using youtube, podcasts, and pictures to keep everyone up to date and involved in the learning process. Last, I learned that is great to be yourself. Students, parents, and other teachers relate to educators that are personable and human. Going through Langhorst's website and seeing pictures of not only what he was doing in the classroom, but also outside of the classroom was fun to see. He included pictures of his family, history images he enjoyed, and quotes that he found uplifting. Going through his website made me wish I was in his classroom, and that is what every website should look like.
If you have made it through that long reflection of an awesome website, I wanted to share some of my take aways. As the world of technology is growing, it seems that everyone is somehow connected to the internet so it is important for teachers to be on the internet too. I discovered that you can be connected in more ways than just having a page on your district's website. You can create a blog that showcases your personality, your classroom, and helpful resources you have used as a teacher. You can enhance that website with using youtube, podcasts, and pictures to keep everyone up to date and involved in the learning process. Last, I learned that is great to be yourself. Students, parents, and other teachers relate to educators that are personable and human. Going through Langhorst's website and seeing pictures of not only what he was doing in the classroom, but also outside of the classroom was fun to see. He included pictures of his family, history images he enjoyed, and quotes that he found uplifting. Going through his website made me wish I was in his classroom, and that is what every website should look like.
Check It Out:
Visit Eric Langhorst's website "Speaking of History" and see it for yourself! You can also follow Langhorst on Twitter and/or subscribe to his "History Geek Teacher" page on YouTube.
Visit Eric Langhorst's website "Speaking of History" and see it for yourself! You can also follow Langhorst on Twitter and/or subscribe to his "History Geek Teacher" page on YouTube.