District Administration - August 2007 - (Page 59)

Work? The Quick Links in the left margin enable fast access to the most popular pages, including PowerSchool, Calendars and Employment. Most of the photographs on both the district’s home page and the individual school sites do not have captions. Some of these photos seem to depict important events and awards, but without descriptions the meanings are unclear. The combination of a site menu at the top of the page and links to each of the four high schools in the district makes most navigation simple and easy. das, minutes from past meetings, news and a membership roster. While phone and e-mail contact information is available under each school’s Staﬀ Directory, the pages are long, dizzying lists of text, and hotlinked e-mail addresses are indicated for only a few staﬀ members. A more eﬀectively organized layout would make contacting individuals easier. CREATIVE USE OF ONLINE TECHNOLOGIES Pages throughout the district’s site are overwhelmingly text-based. Multimedia features including audio, video, animation and other interactive technologies would help engage users in more compelling ways. Most of the photographs on both the district’s home page and the individual school sites do not have captions. Some of these photos seem to depict important events and awards, but without descriptions, the meanings are unclear. UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION The News features on the home page and other pages are up-to-date, but some of the press releases open in PDF format, which adds unnecessary steps. The current Academic Calendar link in the left margin opens in PDF format as well, but the single page of important dates is convenient and easy to print out. The district maintains a useful Glenbard News e-mail list for news and announcements. DA Kurt O. Dyrli is a freelance writer based in Connecticut. To suggest your district for a site review, contact Managing Editor Judy Hartnett at: jhartnett@edmediagroup.com. August 2007 59 The pull-down menus are effective in accessing speciﬁc topics, and content is well organized for user groups such as parents, students, staff and the school board. The home page could introduce the district more effectively, using a feature such as a welcome message from the superintendent. Instead, users are greeted with an uninviting “Subscribe to our Email List” tool in the prime position on the page. able fast access to the most popular pages, including PowerSchool, Bus Route Locator, Calendars and Employment. SCHOOL/HOME INTERACTION The About Us pull-down menu oﬀers a wide variety of helpful resources, including driving directions, DuPage County inforwww.DistrictAdministration.com mation, and a School Report Cards page with statistics about the budget, test scores and salaries for each school. The Bus Route Locator is a convenient way for parents to search for the bus stop nearest to their street address. The School Board menu provides a great deal of information, including agen- http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - August 2007

Contents
Editor’s Letter
Letters
News Update
Technology Update
Curriculum Update
Inside the Law
Research Corner
Computer Literature
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Bus Money
DIBELS Draws Doers & Doubters
Report from EduComm 2007
Ins and Outs of Outsourcing
Curriculum Clearance
How Well Does This Web Site Work?
New Products
Problem Solution
Online Edge
Speaking Out
Professional Opinion
Calendar of Events
Understanding the Times

District Administration - August 2007