Using WebBlender for Website construction

Nadeem Qureshi Y6 Teacher – Chevening CEP School qureshi@chevening.kent.sch.uk

Why use WebBlender?

• It’s fast – Children and adults can

quickly pick up the basics– Saving & publishing is

simple• Attractive

– Built-in animations, clip-art, to drag and drop

– Formatting tools• Easy to use

– Simple interface– Uses ‘drag & drop’– Not overloaded with

complex features• Easy to modify

– Easy to develop websites as you learn more

• Pupils (Juniors upwards)– Younger children can use the

navigation easily – Template websites can be set-

up for younger children to modify

– Older children can make use of other features such as sound, changeable buttons and links

• Adults without much experience– Simple to use– Can learn as you go

• Adults with experience– Encourage others with quick

samples– Easy to demonstrate to pupils– Allows more frequent

modification– Allows you to give more

control to the pupils

Who can use it?

Why did our school use WebBlender?

• Develop ICT skills – Previous QCA framework did not address all the areas we

thought children should develop to be confident users of ICT.

– Simple to import pictures, animation, sound etc• Develop subject knowledge

– Children were to research the areas that their websites were about.

• Internet responsibility– Lots of opportunities to discuss matters such as the use

of images, veracity, copyright, contact details etc

• Share subject knowledge– Other classes used the websites to find out about the

subjects. A Year 3 class evaluated the sites and sent back comments using the email links

– Parents could use the sites to help with homework

• Develop ownership– Very proud children!– Well attended ‘Breakfast Club’ to develop sites

(and address G&T students)

How did we use WebBlender?

1) Developed ideas on paper• Children made images to scan into the program• Researched content• Planned layout and style

2) Set up a general layout to copy• Colourful backgrounds• Font sizes, types & colours• Button types & positions• Linear links between slides

3) Add content• Import images• Type / import text• Include non-linear links between certain pages• Include weblinks

4) Modify and develop• Share sites with others, listen to comments and

improve• Add in new features as found

What can WebBlender do?

• Easily add features from inbuilt libraries– Pictures, animations, sound– Buttons (with actions such as ‘roll-over’)– Scrollable textboxes

• Save time– Can put buttons on all pages in one go– Can add a complete folder of images as new pages in

one go– Can use ‘text to speech’ feature– Inbuilt features such as dictionaries– Easily change font size using slider– Can drag other page icons onto page for quick links– Easy to change the layout

• Simple publishing– Able to publish to network or website easily

• Easy to import – You can import images as buttons as well as pictures– Sound, animations and other files can be imported

Now – time to have a go.

It’s easier to be a WebMaster than you think!

Addressing IssuesThere are many issues facing schools and websites can be used to help address some of them.

Examples are…• Integration of ICT• Boys / Girls writing• Excellent and enjoyment• Creativity• Every child matters• Gifted and talented• SEN provision• Learning platforms