If this is the first time you've created a Web page, you first need to plan what you'd like to include on the page. A useful teacher Web page might include:

• your name, school, and position;
• information about current assignments, units, activities�for each class or content area you teach; (Hint: Include digital photographs of projects and/or students working on them.)
• links to Web pages containing class-related resources. At the elementary level, you'll want to emphasize curriculum-related sites. At the secondary level, you might want to highlight college entrance exam links, homework help, and so on. At all levels, consider including links to online encyclopedias, dictionaries, learning games and drills...;
• a syllabus, weekly or monthly schedule, list of class rules and procedures...;
• general news or notes to parents, including reminders about upcoming school events and important dates or deadlines; and
• contact information, including your school e-mail address and the e-mail address and phone numbers for the school.

A teacher Web page should not include

• identifiable photographs or full names of individual students.
• your personal e-mail address. (Hint: Keep two e-mail accounts; one for school use and one for personal use.)
• out-dated or incorrect information. (If you're not known for planning ahead, avoid posting a nine-week schedule.)
• anything you don't want the whole world to see. (Be very careful what you post online!)

To make sure you're on the right track, evaluate your Web page using COCOA P.

Next: Simple tips for first-time Web designers.