Why is the website being contemplated? You have to know why. Most of all you have to have a vision, a grand plan. Make it a big vision. A website is always under construction, is flexible but you should have an aim and a goal. Start small, dream big.

The philosophy and scope of the website need to be thought out carefully.

• You will consider ways of structuring the website to suit the aims and philosophy of your institution
• You also need to ponder the proposed style and ethos of the planned website.
• You will develop ideas about your final product, but they will be changed as you implement them. Your plans and those of your administrators will change and your perceptions of what is important will alter.
• A good idea is to talk to all the "stakeholders" to find out what they expect the site to be, perhaps even form a committee of involved and interested people. If possible, those who will use the site need to have input into its development so that it becomes their territory and they become part owners.
• However, at the end of the day, if you are the person creating and maintaining the website, make sure you know why.

Educational Philosophy

Any move by a teacher librarian to create a website should be informed by a thorough understanding of the purpose of the whole enterprise of the school as well as implementing an effective educational philosophy. Why are you making this website? Fundamentally schools are to aid in the learning of the students. Your reason for being in a school is to help students learn. You only change your methodology, assessment and record keeping if it helps students learn better. So the creation of the website should only be undertaken if you think this will be so.

I'm a fan of Constructivism (Remember Module One?), Student- Centred Learning and Collaborative Learning. Students need to involve themselves in their learning so that whatever they learn becomes a part of their lives. They need to remake any knowledge into the fabric of their internal landscape and they can only do that by making meaningful choices about things they care about and by being actively involved within the constructs of their own knowledge.

The Purpose: Why do you want to create a website?

Maybe you think it's your good idea; maybe it's an idea from the principal or staff. The reason for the creation will determine to a large extent the scope and direction of it. You must have a good reason, not just "we should have one". If there is not a purpose then the website will fail.

• Is your site to be a "front door" to the school or library? In this case the priorities will be concerned with creating an impressive face, an exercise in public relations.

• Is your site to be an information source for staff and students?

• Is your site to be a place where staff and students share their work?

Maybe you'd ultimately like it to be a combination of all of these.

• As educational programmes become more student- centred and require an outcome-based focus, so access to a greater range of resources becomes a necessity.
• Teacher librarians are very aware of the problems of servicing these wide ranging needs.
• It is obvious that no library, whether based at a school or elsewhere, can afford to provide enough text-based material to support the ever-widening requirements of teachers and students.
• However, the other resources of the library, whether print-based or multimedia, are still vitally necessary.
• And part of the teacher librarian's role is, as always, to steer the user into the direction of the most appropriate resources for each informational need.

What Do Your Users Want?

Obviously, one of the prime purposes for the creation of the website will be to provide what the user requires. This usually involves an opportunity for learning of some kind.

• Students may be searching for material to complete an assignment, e.g. the ecology of rainforests or how to win a debate.
• Teachers may be looking for background information to set up a series of lessons on the rules of football or research into multiple intelligences.
• Parents and community members may want to find out about the school fees or read the latest newsletter.

Each of these users wants to learn something from your website. Your aim is to assist them in their learning.

As teacher librarians you are in the unique position of being able to have an overview of the whole educational enterprise of the school. You see what teachers ask of their students and what the students are searching for. You are able to notice the areas that overlap and those that are never mentioned. You are aware of the general skill levels in literacy, research and information technology. As experts in ICT (Information Communication Technology) you are able to develop those skills intelligently.

Your website should be a tool, as your "real" library is, to further the development of student learning.

Above all, what can you create that will be original and different that will be of real use for you and your organisation? What is unique about your vision?

Activity: Vision, Philosophy and Scope

In this activity you will be examining your purpose and vision.

What is your dream? What is your vision? What is your passion? Why are you creating this website? What educational philosophies are important to you? Who had, has, and will have input? What is the purpose of your site? Who has defined this? What can your website provide that is unique and special?

Give an indication of your long term vision. Include any special extra items that your website will do that no other can. Now is the time to dream. What are your hopes and your vision of the future?

Submit a draft of this now! Remember to write your journal and contribute to the Bulletin Board.