In an era where technology dominates almost every aspect of life, education cannot afford to lag. Schools are integrating smart classrooms, online learning tools, and digital resources to enhance student engagement. However, recent policies restricting the use of social media for homework assignments raise a critical question: how can schools provide structured digital learning environments without proper platforms? One viable solution lies in schools developing their own websites. While this may not significantly reduce students’ screen time, it can transform screen use into a more purposeful and structured academic experience.
In today’s digital era, a school having their own website is no longer a luxury – it is a necessity. While many of our schools rely on social media platforms – Facebook, WhatsApp, or Telegram – to share information, this approach comes with significant drawbacks. A school website serves as a central hub for communication, academic resources, and academic management (e.g., homework, assessments), providing a structured and distraction-free learning environment.
Why Our Schools Need Websites?
Although these reasons are not exhaustive, having a dedicated school website instead of a social media page offers the following advantages:
A Centralised Portal
A school website is more than just a digital presence – it is a centralised hub for communication, academic management, and resource sharing. In the context of homework, a well-maintained school website can solve many of the issues faced by teachers, students, and parents.
A dedicated homework portal within a school’s website would serve as an organised and reliable platform for both teachers and students. This will enable teachers to systematically post homework, assignments, and academic materials, ensuring that students have a single go-to place for their tasks.
Unlike social media platforms that are cluttered with non-academic distractions, a school website provides a focused academic space. Assignments can be categorised based on subjects, deadlines, and importance, making it easier for students to manage their workload efficiently. Students can access learning materials at any time, reducing confusion about missed assignments and submission deadlines.
Way for a Structured Communication
Most of the social media platforms used by the schools to communicate with parents or students are not designed for structured communication. For example, a school website can enable parents to track their children’s assignments, school events, and academic updates in real-time without wading through unrelated content.
Schools can post announcements, circulars, and timetables in a central location where they remain accessible and well-organised. Unlike social media pages, which require constant moderation, a website provides a more controlled and professional platform for school communication.
Distraction-Free Platform
I acknowledge that social media platforms offer educational content, but as their name suggests, they are primarily designed for social purposes – mainly driven by entertainment and social interactions.
This means, when schools rely on social media pages, the end users – students and parents – are exposed to irrelevant advertisements or videos that can divert attention. As we are aware, social media algorithms are designed in such a way that it keeps users engaged for as long as possible, leading one to endless scrolling and non-educational engagement.
Resource Repository
A school website can act as a structured digital library, offering students a wealth of educational resources without social media distractions. Schools can upload e-books, past papers, tutorial videos, and interactive lessons to support learning beyond the classroom. In doing so, a website can be a digital gateway to structured content focused on academic growth. Subject-specific pages can be created where students can explore extra reading materials relevant to their curriculum. Recorded lectures, online discussion forums, and expert guest talks can be archived for future reference.
School Information Board
A school website can ensure all official updates to be found in one place. Having everything in one controlled and structured place can enhance consistency and reliability in information quality and communication. A website can also enhance easily accessibility of important notices, policies, and academic materials thereby promoting schools’ commitment to academic excellence through organised communication.
Promoting A Hybrid Learning
A school website can integrate both digital and offline learning methods. As a result, teachers can post digital versions of assignments alongside printable worksheets, ensuring inclusivity for students with limited internet access. Schools can provide downloadable resources that students can access offline, reducing excessive screen exposure. Interactive quizzes and self-assessment tools can be embedded, making learning more engaging and allowing students to track their own progress.
A contemporary learning approaches – such as flip classroom or blended learning approaches can be encouraged – where students engage with online content but also complete tasks that require handwritten submissions.
Showcasing School Events
Using website as a digital portfolio, schools can highlight student achievements, academic success stories, and extracurricular activities. Schools can showcase their academic excellence, sports achievements, and cultural events, fostering pride and motivation among students. Success stories and alumni testimonials can be featured, inspiring current students to aim higher. Digital newsletters and updates can keep students and parents engaged with the school community.
Protecting Privacy?
Certainly. School websites can significantly help in addressing privacy concerns by providing a secure and controlled environment for school-related discussions and information sharing. Unlike social media platforms, where content is publicly accessible or shared through third-party algorithms, school websites allow administrators to control access, restrict user permissions, and safeguard sensitive academic information. For example, as the administrator of my blog, I can delete any unusual comments or spam messages before they become visible to others.
Websites can be customised to ensure that only authorised individuals – such as students, parents, and staff – can access important resources through password-protected portals or login-based systems. In this way, schools can minimise data vulnerability and protect student privacy. This controlled and structured approach not only enhances data security but also fosters a more focused and professional academic environment.
Should schools Stop Using Social Media Completely?
Absolutely not. My argument is not about it either. Social media is undeniably inevitable and necessary in today’s world. However, it should serve as a complementary or supplementary tool rather than a replacement for a structured digital platform like school websites. Schools can take a noble approach in integrating the use of social media with school websites.
For example, instead of posting full updates on social media, schools can share website links on social media pages. This will ensure redirecting users to the school’s official page for structured information. Social media can be used for a quick and short notifications, but the full details can be provided on the school website.
Cost-Effective Ways to Build Websites
Schools that are unable to afford website hosting or domain registration or website maintenance can try using free website platforms like Blogger, WordPress.com, Google Sites, and Wix (free plan) that offer excellent alternatives.
These platforms provide free hosting and can facilitate schools to create a structured digital space for announcements, assignments, and resources without worrying about recurring expenses. Instead of paying for a custom domain, they can use the default subdomains these platforms provide (e.g., schoolname.blogspot.com). This way, schools can establish an official online presence without financial strain while ensuring students and parents have access to essential information.
For example, I have been using Blogger since 2012. 13 whopping years and still running without spending anything on website maintenance. Every teacher in our schools has attended the Chiphen Rigphel project. Thanks to this project that I was able to create my own blog without any technical expertise.
Way Forward
In the light of recent controversy over assigning homework using the social media platforms, I argue that a school website can potentially transform screen time from passive engagement to purposeful learning, ensuring that technology serves its intended educational purpose. Investing in structured digital platforms is not just a step forward, but it is an essential evolution in modern education. Schools must embrace technology wisely, and having a dedicated website is a critical step towards organised, inclusive, and future-ready education.
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