[CLUE-Tech] Setting a webspace for a school

[Dale K. Hawkins]

"Jed S. Baer" <thag at frii.com> writes:

> #1 question: What does the school want to _do_ with the site? i.e. what
> #are the requirements?

A valid question indeed.

I should clarify that I consider myself to be quite web savvy, both
from the user and developer standpoint.  I believe this makes me a
poor candidate to help setup a system for people who are not
technophiles.  I am primarily seeking guidance on how to setup a
system which the teachers could use to manage their own content.  I
would like to provide tools for them to use (e.g., a calendar, etc.),
but I am under the distinct impression that they could be overwhelmed
very quickly.

There are two aspects to what I want to accomplish.

The first specific task is to setup a website where the kids could go
to register for the Science Fair (this does not need to go online
until January or February).  I have a simple set of requirements and
honestly believe I can bang it out in no more that a couple of hours.

(A little PHP, throw in some smarty, and just a dash of SQL  *proof*).

The second part of the task is to put together a longer term project
which would get the school "on the web".  By that I mean allow the
teachers to create and control content about their class (or students)
using very easy to use tools.  For example, the teacher could put
instructions about current assignments (kids are not the best when it
comes to relaying information).  Also, the teachers could post
calendars (to which the parents could subscribe) listing activities
such as picture day, or upcoming field trips, etc.

Again, the emphasis needs to be on easy for the teachers (who are for
the most part, technical neophytes) to use.

I have taken a glance at the listed websites.  I will look some more
and see if I can find an appropriate starting place.

-Dale