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Indiana University Bloomington

What is an instructional website?

An instructional website creates an online teaching environment that is used to augment learning and instruction, both in and out of the classroom. An instructor tailors the design and content of a website he or she creates to the specific needs of a course or subject, providing students with a focused learning environment.

Why might I use an instructional website?

  • To deliver online exercises or tutorials
  • To create an interactive learning environment
  • To provide access to instructional materials, such as audio or video files, images, or readings
  • To archive class material for later use
  • To allow students to share their work with each other

How do I get started?

  • Acquire software for creating HTML files, such as a basic text editor, Dreamweaver (available at IUWare Online), or NVU.
  • Acquire File Transfer Software (FTP) that will allow you to move your website's files from your personal computer to the central web server, such as MacSFTP for Mac users or SSH Secure Shell for Windows. Software is available at IUWare Online. Dreamweaver can also be configured to upload files to a server.
  • Apply for an account on IUB's central web server, Webserve.
  • Plan your instructional goals. This may include looking at examples of course websites at the World Lecture Hall, and asking yourself the following questions:
    • Who are my students?
    • What information do I want to help my students access?
    • What do I want my students to do as a result of getting this information?
    • How will I know if my teaching materials are effective?
  • Create your HTML files. A simple way to create a website is to find one you like and use it as a template, "adapting" the basic HTML formatting and replacing the text with your own. Dreamweaver also offers a number of templates. Alternatively, you might use a word processing application such as Microsoft Word to design a page, and under the "save as" option in the menubar, save your document as an .htm file.
  • Once you have created your HTML documents, test them from your personal computer. Make sure to test every link on every page of your website and fix any problems before uploading the files to the central web server (webserve).
  • After your files have been created and tested, move them to the central web server (webserve) using your File Transfer Software. Your website is now publically viewable at the URL http://www.indiana.edu/~accountname.
  • Test your files once more on the server before giving your students the URL for your course website.
  • For assistance and additional information, please contact TLTC or consider signing up for a IT Training workshop.

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Guides, Templates, and Tutorials

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