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Introduction to SWIFT
An interactive classroom
website is one of the most effective tools
you can use to keep your students and their
parents involved in school. However,
creating and updating web pages is
complicated and time-consuming. Teachers
have more important things to do with their
time than learn HTML and programs like
FrontPage and Dreamweaver in order to
accomplish this. There isn't enough time in
the day already!
SWIFT, the browser-based web design tool
designed exclusively for teachers, was
created to allow teachers to create a
comprehensive, interactive classroom website
in minutes. Built-in features such as a
calendar, quiz-builder, and discussion make
communication with students and parents a
breeze. Give SWIFT a try as you create your
classroom website.
What does
SWIFT Stand For?
(top)
It stands for Simplified Web
Interface for Teachers. SWIFT is an online
website management tool teachers can use to
design a comprehensive classroom site in
minutes — without learning computer
languages or new software programs. From any
computer with Internet access you can post
announcements, assign homework, create
practice quizzes, and more. Start a
discussion; add documents and resource
links; upload, resize, and crop images using
the interactive design editor. The built-in
modules are easy to use, so teachers can
stop worrying about technology and start
focusing on content!
Will SWIFT integrate
with our current website?
(top)
A link to your SWIFT website
can be added to the district web environment
under staff or Teacher Websites. In addition, parents and
students can get access to your site
directly by going to
http://peninsula.swiftclassrooms.com.
How do I Learn to Use SWIFT?
(top)
Staff Development is
available as either small group sessions or
for larger staff meetings. At the larger
meetings staff can be introduced to the
SWIFT environment and how to create their
own wed site. In smaller group sessions,
staff can learn about SWIFT and actually
work on their sites as they learn. These
sessions can be scheduled at any time by
simply contacting Ron Stark (click
here).
If you are an independent learner and feel
comfortable with a web environment then all
you probably need is the User Guide. To
download the User Guide go to the Documents
page and click on the SWIFT User Guide link
found there.
What are others saying about
SWIFT?
(top)
"This may be the
biggest thing that's ever hit our district.
The response has been overwhelming...
overwhelmingly positive." — Jim,
Director of Instructional Technology
"SWIFT is a really great tool! It will
save me so much time not having to teach web
page authoring and FTP as I have been and,
as a result, get more teachers online.
Thanks so much!" — Vince, Science
Teacher and Technology Support
"Thank you for creating SWIFT! Even our
tech-challenged teachers are easily able to
create and maintain their pages." —
Aimee, Technology Curriculum Specialist
Can I create new
pages in SWIFT?
(top)
Unfortunately you cannot currently create
your own titled pages meaning that you
cannot create a page called Student Work or
change the names of the default pages (i.e.
Announcements, Homework, Links, etc.).
How much information
can I add to a page?
(top)
The amount of information that you can add to
any page can be considered endless. An
example would be the Homework page where a
teacher might choose to add assignment for
the next day at the top of the page and over
time creating a running history of
assignments for the year as you scroll down
the page. The only downside to this is the
potential time it takes to scroll down the
page and find relevant information. A way to
help with this is to use Anchors points and
link to them as done on this page. This
technique greatly enhances the ability to
add a lot of information to a page and
expand on the limitations of the SWIFT
environment. |
