Reasons why you should start a website for your Foreign Language Program?

v     Increased Accessibility for community, teachers, parents and students (Can update from anywhere at anytime, increased transparency of programs for parents)

v     Fundraising (raising funds from sources at the county, state and international level)

v     Enhance Teaching (done through a variety of methods)

v     Promotion of Program (can't overstate this one!)

v     Promote and Reward good work (You have a billboard for the world to see)

v     Display Student work (improves quality of work)

v     Sharing your work with the world (Help others with your success / don't be afraid to make mistakes / collectively you will be stronger) - overcoming geographical / physical barriers - interconnectivity with other teachers in your field, greater articulation between the grade levels from Kindergarten - College)

v     Make up work easier / elimination of excuses (Students and Parents have access to work done in class - your not constantly having to produce papers...instead students can download it from home...email you with questions...bring it in the next day)

v     Promote Clubs & Organizations (Good place to announce German Club information...meeting times / upcoming events / reminders)

v     Pen Pals (expanding the bridge between you and the target country)

v     Control of Content & real time updates (You have total access and control...easier to keep up to date...no dependence on a third party)

v     Encouragement for yourself and others  (It is encouraging to see how many are getting helped by your work...guestbook - a place of positive notes)

v     Easy to create and maintain (It is so easy with today's software developments)

v     Your own internet Hub (You can establish a web site hub for a jumping off point for webquest and sitequest. You can centralize the location of important links and this leads to easier navigation of the internet...you guide students to helpful information)

v     uploading videos, sound files, Powerpoints and documents (the capability to share what you are doing with the world / reaching out through a variety of instructional enhancements)

v     Flexibility - (limited only by your creativity - hard to forsee all the uses....adaptable to your changing life.

v     Intangibles (Appearance to stakeholders, point of contact for former students, positive feelings from administration)

v     Foreign Language Promotion on a broader scale and on selected issues (instantly raise understanding of key issues and notify parents, students and teachers of current political initiatives.)

v     An easy way to share news and information (A central location for information about your program and what you are doing....getting the word out)

v     Professional Development - developing 21st century skills for teachers....becoming connected with the world in which students live....teachers seen as forward looking...positive feelings on behalf of the students)

v     Low Cost to set up and maintain (Now more than ever....domains cost you about $15.00....programs $50.00 and up.....growing market of service providers)