NSW HSC Online Professional Development Node
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Developing Online Resources
Written by Daryll Richardson
If you have reached this part of the website, it is probably because you are interested in either putting some of your teaching resources online or developing a new web resource, but are unsure as to how to go about it. This component of the HSC online site aims to provide you with guidance for developing online resources:
- to maximise the full potential of the online environment; and
- to upload your web resources/material online.
Rather than recreate resources that are currently available concerning the development of online materials we have provided links throughout this page to sites that provide excellent information relating to the issues involved in this process.
Understanding the web and how to get online
Developing effective online learning resources
User interface design
What do I need to start?
Where do I go for help?
Examples
Understanding the web and how to get online
The Web
The World Wide Web (WWW) has a short but dynamic history. The following resource provides links to many articles which outline the evolution of the web.
http://www.isoc.org/internet-history/ 
However, I will attempt to provide a brief and easy to understand description of the concept here. If you want to publish online it is necessary to have a basic concept of how the web itself functions.
Essentially the WWW consists of literally hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide connected together to create a vast pool of accessible data. Computers which form part of this network and allow access to information stored on them are called web servers. Each of the servers connected to the network have their own ‘IP’ (Internet Protocol) address that gives it an individual identity.
As a result anyone with a computer and internet browser, a modem and service from an ISP (Internet Service Provider) can access data from any of the network servers that are online at the time. As IP addresses are basically a sequence of numbers and usually meaningless, domain names are predominantly used instead. eg. hsc.csu.edu.au The files that contain data on these servers are assigned a URL (Universal Resource Locator) to individually identify files. This allows users on the net to directly track to a specific file on a specific server anywhere in the world.
You may have noticed that on most pages you visit on the web the domain name is preceded by the letters http://. These letters stand for HyperText Transfer Protocol and refer to the method of interpreting information on other machines across the network. This protocol allows files to be placed on a server in html (HyperText Markup Language). HTML is a programming language that is standard worldwide, and can be displayed by any user through the use of an internet browser. You can access any of these pages using hyperlinks, which direct users to a particular URL.
There are also other programming languages available that allow for more innovative uses of the net. Javascript which is just another kind of programming language is supported by most browsers, however other languages like Macromedia’s ‘Flash’ and ‘Shockwave’ require the installation of third party software that is available freely from their website. These languages allow for high levels of interactivity online using very small file sizes.
Many sites now use javascript in their pages. Any page where an image on the screen changes as a a result of moving your mouse over a menu object contains java. The following sites utilise flash script to provide a more dynamic interface for users.
The Louvre
http://www.louvre.fr/louvrea.htm
Dell Systems Workstation 3D model
http://www.ap.dell.com/html/ap/tour/precn530/en/index.html
Funny Garbage
http://www.funnygarbage.com/
Sprite
http://www.sprite.com
How to get online
Every bit of information you can access online resides on a web server somewhere in the world, normally as a page or interconnecting pages of (predominantly) html language. It follows that, in order to have your own resource on the web you first need to convert your resource into an html format or develop your resource in an html editing program. You then have to find an appropriate web server to host your files and then upload the files from your computer to the web server.
Don’t panic! This is not as difficult as it sounds.
Creating HTML files
Creating an html file is almost as simple as producing a text processed document. You do not need to be able to write html source code. There are many easy to use html editing programs available such as Dreamweaver, Frontpage and Netscape Composer that allow you to do much with your information. You can edit text, add images and insert hyperlinks to other sites, documents, videos and sound files.
There are also other multimedia software development packages that allow you to develop in one program and then export your developed package in a web compatible format. Macromedia ‘Authorware’, ‘Flash’ and ‘Shockwave Studio’ are examples.
A good place to start is to find out what kind of multimedia/web development software you have access to at your school.
A host for your site
HSC Online is a joint project between Charles Sturt University(CSU) and The New South Wales Department of Education and Training (DET). Resources that are developed specifically to assist NSW HSC students are hosted by CSU, i.e. CSU will provide space for your resource on one of their servers.
To find out how to organise some space and transfer your files contact the site manager at sitehelp@hsc.csu.edu.au
If you are developing an online resource for something other than this purpose your ISP should be able to direct you to hosting sites that allow you to purchase server space. If you are publishing to the HSC online site you will be constrained by the design principles already determined for the site, however if you have your own space you are free to implement your own design style.
Putting your files online
Putting your site online is as easy as being able to use Windows Explorer or any other file management program provided you have all the information you need. You will need some software (File Transfer Protocol, FTP), the IP address of your host and you will also need a user_name and password, provided by your host. Contact the site manager at sitehelp@hsc.csu.edu.au and they will assist you with these details.
Developing effective online learning resources
It would be unwise to even attempt to replicate sites on the web which explore this issue in great detail. The sites listed below will provide you with additional insights into the scope of issues that need to be accommodated when considering developing online or multimedia resources.
The Centre for Enhancing Learning and Teaching (CELT)
Charles Sturt University (Australia)
Educational Technology
http://www.csu.edu.au/division/celt/edtech/index.html
College of Education,
Univerity of Saskatchewan (Canada)
Web Design for Instruction
http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/skaalid/
Community Learning Network (Canada)
Professional Development in Information Technology
http://www.cln.org/inservice/itpd/project.html
User interface design
As an HSC teacher you will be dealing more and more with students who aren’t afraid of computers, are very discerning about what they expect to see on the screen, and are aware of issues such as, navigation, download times, etc. The way a site looks and how it is navigated is an important issue if you want your target audience to maintain interest in the site.
You may already have ideas about what your site should look like but may have difficulty in developing the graphics required. For advice on the best strategies for developing and effective interface you should at least talk to a graphic designer if not have one design an interface for you. The CSU web team employ graphic designers who can assist you with advice and possibly with some support in the way of graphics development. The HSC online site manager should be able to provide you with contact details of our graphics design staff.
In order to communicate your desires for your site to the graphics designer it would be wise to at least be aware of the principles of sound graphics design. These sites offer a good overview of graphics/interface design theory and should provide you with enough information for effective communication with the graphics designer. You may also be inspired to come up with some interesting and innovative ideas.
The Centre for Enhancing Learning and Teaching (CELT)
Charles Sturt University (Australia)
Interface Design
Interface design
College of Education,
Univerity of Saskatchewan (Canada)
Classic Graphics Design Theory
Classic Graphics Design Theory
For any site it is wise to follow some simple rules relating to site design.
Development Exchange (California)
Project Cool
Development Tips
Development Tips
What do I need to start?
As a teacher you are consistently seeking new and innovative resources to assist in the learning process. The development of a web site can enhance the learning process, however, the difficulty lies in commencing and developing your first project.
It is probably a good idea at this stage is to think through your reasons for wanting to commence this project. How will your students benefit from your project - how will it enhance their learning?
Often technology is the impetus behind projects - we've got the equipment, so how can we fit it into our teaching? Instead of defining an educational problem, that is, the gap between what is and what should be, people are sometimes motivated to create products and projects that are driven by technology - not sound educational rationale.
The best projects are those that meet an educational need, and have sound goals and objectives before commencement.
You will most likely not be working on your own. You should try to assemble a team of like minded teachers who are willing to share the burden of the development work. Until you are confident of what you are doing don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. CSU staff from the Division of Information Technology are a good source for this advice.
You will also need to talk to your Principal about access to appropriate software.
Before you start to work on your site it is a good idea remember some golden rules:
- Choose software that you are comfortable with and work within your limitations.
- Don’t be afraid to seek advice, it seems the more you know about computers and software, the more you realise how little you know.
- Do not forget that at the end of the day the site has to be usable. No matter how good the content, if students find the information hard to get to, or slow to download you have wasted your time.
- Work out things like your directory structures and naming conventions in advance. Not only will this save development time but when the time comes to upload your resource to a live server you will not have any problems with files not being where they are supposed to be.
- You should develop your site locally (on your hard drive) and not upload the site until you are happy that everything is OK. It is a good idea to have a neutral party check your site for obvious problems before you go live.
Help
For help with any technical issues and limitations of the HSC online site contact the site manager from the Division of Information Technology (DIT) at CSU.
Examples
Examples of resources from HSC online:
HSC Online (French - Listening Skills)
French Listening Skills
HSC Online (Geography - Urban Places)
Geography - Urban places
HSC Online (Geography - Ecosystems)
Geography - Ecosystems
The following two examples demonstrate other good uses for this technology. The first could be developed for use in case studies on the impact of humans on the environment. The second could be used as a model for a project where students have to create a website about a field trip/excursion etc.
Wonga Wetlands (contains some flash)
http://www.wongawetlands.nsw.gov.au/
Rotary Murray Darling School of Freshwater Research
(contains some Javascript)
http://life.csu.edu.au/river/
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