If this course were classroom-based, I would ask for a teaching portfolio. Because we gather via electronic means, I ask you to compile a portfolio likewise, and create a website for teaching Latin. This website may reside in any of the following locations:
I. On your own existing server space. Those of you who teach may prefer to set this up on the space provided by your school. Privately purchased space (e.g., aol) is also perfectly acceptable.II. On the University of Florida's server: GatorLink provides web space to all students. To activate your space, follow the directions at http://help.gatorlink.ufl.edu/webserv.html. Tutorials on creating web pages are provided there as well.
III. Within the "Student Homepage" section of WebCT. This option will be the easiest for those without web experience, because WebCT will facilitate the process. On the other hand, the web page will be short-lived and inaccessible to the outside world. It would be preferable to create a page that might serve as a foundation for the remainder of your Latin-teaching career. Nevertheless, I recognize that technological panic can be debilitating, and some practice creating a website is better than none. I will certainly not penalize anyone's grade for choosing the path of least technological resistance!
If you are new to the process of creating web pages, I highly recommend finding a competent friend or student to assist you. Although it is not much more complicated than typing on a computer, little hurdles can cause great frustration (I know; I've been there).
Once one has decided where to put the portfolio and secured the assistance or knowledge necessary for the production of a website, one may turn to content.
What should the website contain?
You may base the website on assignments submitted for the course. It should contain the following elements (I leave actual organization to your aesthetic judgment; optional elements are labeled as such):
I. Personal Information
- Your name, position, and contact information
- A photograph of yourself (optional)
- A professional resume (optional)
- Any other personal information you care to share (optional)
II. Teaching
- Teaching philosophy
- Your discipline plan
- Courses taught or courses you intend to teach (this should include descriptions of the courses, textbook(s), grading scale, method of evaluation)
III. Curriculum Planning
- Reviews of Latin textbooks
- Sample lesson plans
- Sample tests
IV. Resources
- Links to teaching resources for Latin with brief reviews of those links
You may of course add any other elements that you think may enhance the look, feel, or usefulness of your site!