Every teacher in our district has the ability to create a teacher website. Teacher websites can be used to communicate information to parents and students, provide information and resources as documents or links, and to create discussion through a discussion board. Also, photos and videos of students can be added for families to view. (Check with your building secretary to make sure that your students have the electronic permission form on file. Never label a photo with the student's name.) Events can be added to the calendar, practice quizes can be created and grades can be shared as well.
Did you know that there is a video tutorial for SWIFT on the staff access page? There is also a user guide. (Check with your BTS to see if there is a printed copy of the guide in the lab.)
The great thing about SWIFT is that you can decide what you want on your website. When you first login, you see your Profile. On the right you have the option to turn on or off each tab/section. Once you click save changes you will have the tabs at the top of your screen. (Be sure to update your e-mail address to tahomasd.us.)
Did you know that you can lock a document? Any file that is uploaded to the documents section can be locked by clicking on the padlock to the right. You will be prompted to create a password. This password can be shared with individual parents so only they can access the file (audio, video, word document etc.). When someone clicks on the file, they must enter the password in order for the file to open. Remember, when uploading files it is a good idea to change them to a PDF so that parents can open them without needing Word, PowerPoint etc.
For this weeks post: Look at how other teachers in the district are using their SWIFT site. Look at other teachers in your grade level/specialty. Report back how you currently use your site and what you would like to add to enhance your site.
Visit a few SWIFT sites to see a variety of uses:
Glacier Park
Glacier Park
