How do teachers use classroom and school websites to enhance the curriculum?

I'm doing a workshop on web design for teachers and have come up with an adhoc list of uses for a web pages. These are in the Primary School ESL context but I feel they are applicable across all levels. If you feel I'm missing something please feel free to add to the list by commenting.

Ways in which a teacher can use a website to enhance the curriculum:
(examples are provided in links to my delicious account, my own school site, and outside teacher sites )

Webquests - A webquest is an inquiry oriented activity in which the teacher provides a scenario in which students must complete a set of online tasks. This is a great way for a teacher to use the narrative and create a "Choose Your Own Adventure" type story for students to explore the web. In the past, I have used time travel as a theme for a webquest.

Links - This is a great way to direct students to teacher approved websites. I'm constantly updating links to my games and online books for primary students

Peer Editing - Students and teachers could use a blog or listserv to review and edit each others work. This could be done with restricted access, so that only approved students could comment on the blog and only after the teacher has approved their comment.

Audio Files/Podcasting/Radio Shows - Creating an online audio blog is fun. When compared with video blogs, this is a more anonymous way to have to students present and interact with each other on the Net. I've been doing Radio Shows over the PA and then posting them on the school website. Podomatic is an excellent all in one solution for making and posting audiofiles and podcasts on the internet. If you want a more professional sounding show use software like Garageband for Apple or Audacity for Windows. to a Both these audio editing programs are available for free. However, they do take a little time to learn.


Video Files/ Videocasting - I have experimented a bit with this on my own site. After doing Readers Theater a few times, I decided to enhance the performance a bit and post it on our school site.


Blogging - I find blogging useful to post random bits of information such as a song with it's lyrics or a powerpoint from a previous lesson .Some teachers have even had students create their own blogs

Communicate With Parents and Community - A website can be a great way to just show people what is going on in your classroom and school.


Wikis - A wiki is an online database that can be edited by anyone. Most people will are familiar with Wikipedia. Now there are free resources available on the internet for people to set up their very own Wiki. One such service is Seedwiki.

Listserves - Listservs are a collaborative tool where a community of people can gather and discuss ideas. Messages can be viewed on the listserv website or they are automatically sent to your email inbox. NESTA and Allnets use this type of service. Here are some free examples for you to check out:

• Google Groups
  
• Symbpa Free Listservs
• Yahoo Groups
• My Way Free Listservs
• A lesson on using listsers with links to additional instructional resources