Practicing teachers' websites research

Practicing Teachers' websites are researched to get ideas and strategies on classroom arrangement, structure, activities and organization. In this research, four websites maintained by practicing teachers are examined for their virtues.

The websites chosen for this purpose are

http://classroom.4teachers.org/

http://www.communityplaythings.eu/index.html

http://www.teachingheart.net/LC.htm

http://www.cybraryman.com/primaryed.html

1. Analysis of website classroom.4teachers.org/

Features

•  Simple navigation steps to browse the website.
• A user interface to create a floor plan is very intuitive and simple to use.
• It allows to create a floor plan by using drag and drop objects to the grid.
• There is an option to save the floor plan and take a print of it.
• Create more than one classroom design and compare with each other.
• The tool's UI is easy to use and very beneficial in creating a classroom design.
  

Examples of supportive learning environment

        The website demonstrates some good examples of supportive learning environment. It uses a grid based layout that facilitates in generating ideas for creating various classroom layouts, choosing different strategies and comparing those against each other. It has a section of learning goals that describe in detail on how to create the environment. It defines some points that are very beneficial in creating a proper design that facilitates learning.

2. Analysis of website communityplaythings.eu
Features

• One page website design
• Information content is available in 12 different languages like English, Spanish, Arabic.
• It does not has any interactive user interface to design but provides a comprehensive catalog.
• The website mentions that it derives its designs from the way children play and supports open-ended play and that is unique as it enhances a child's imagination.
• It offers a free service to train in designing the learning environment and layout.

Examples of supportive learning environment
         The website provides a detailed overview of its product and design layout in terms of all sections. A creativity area for kids, blocks, drama center, nursery gyms, indoor toys. It creates a combination of activity and knowledge based learning.

3. Analysis of website teachingheart.net
 Features

• The website describes in detail its various teaching methods.
• It gives specific examples for Maths and Drawing based learning.
• Pictures of classroom are provided to give an idea of how to design a classroom.
• The focus is on practice based learning for young children.
• The website helps to design and structure the learning activities for young learners.

Examples of supportive learning environment
        The website does a good job in terms of designing the learning activities for the classroom. It lists down all the assignments that could be created and how to impart them to young learners. There are comments from different teachers listing down their experiences and techniques in creating a learning environment.

4. Analysis of website www.cybraryman.com
 Features

•  The website provides a separate section for each grade.
• It classifies the organization and structure of the classroom based on the level, like primary, grade-1, grade-2, grade-3.
• The website provides classroom tour for different teachers which give an idea into different classroom arrangements.
• The website also lists down different sites for various teachers which enable to get more ideas.
• The website has useful content and different sections for activity based learning and practice based learning.
  

 Examples of supportive learning environment
         The website list down some good examples on supportive learning. It links to different blogs and websites of various teachers which enable to generate great ideas. The website gives a tour of classrooms managed by different teachers. It has a segregation of  designs based on the level of the class. It also lists down various activities which supports learning for the young learners.

Website Analysis Chart

Feature / Review	classroom.4teachers.org	communityplaythings.eu	teachingheart.net	cybraryman.com
User Interface	Excellent.	Good	Good	Very Good
Usability	Tool based	Content Based	Content Based	Picture Based
Content	Less content but good tools	Catalog Based	Good Content	High Content
Usefulness	Very intuitive	Good	Good	Very Good
Learning Activities	Interactive tools	Indoor activities defined	Indoor and outdoor activities defined	Indoor and outdoor activities defined
Demonstration of Knowledge	Very Good	Good	Good	Excellent
Supply of Activities & Ideas	Many ideas to design classroom	Many ideas to design	Many ideas to design classroom and activities	Many ideas to design and activities from different teachers.
Overall Analysis	Excellent	Good	Very Good	Excellent