Websites

Websites are abundant in todays online society. Websites serve many functions and are set up according to the purpose of the site. Almost every business (government, private, local, national, global, corporative, financial and more) has it's own web site. However, the designs, functions and features vary depending on the type of website that has been designed (and of course $$$$). So is it any wonder that websites may have a place in the world of education and classrooms. I say that if you can't beat'em, join'em.
Websites for educational purposes could be used as a very powerful tool for many different reasons.

Strengths

Can be indiviually designed for a set audience
Are easy to create, navigate, edit, upload information into, upload multi-media into.
Students will have a sense normality since they are accessing website for research or personal reasons.
There are so many options to add your own creative flare to the overall look and feel of the website.
Easy to use click and drag options.
All options have visual aids/icons which allows the creator to see exactly how the editing will look.
Templates are readily avaliable and image on template can be changed, therefore, if you like the layout but not the image you can alter it to your own specific needs.
Weebly has the ability to allow all types of digital media to be uploaded onto the individuals website (Dependant on Payment for Pro). This insures all websites will be unique to the owner/opertor.

Can be used across all subject areas

Can break content up into sections to suit learners at differing levels
Layout is changeable

East to navigate tabs

Weaknesses

No clear save button. To save you push publish
Is static
Unable to access all of it's features for free.
No password settings
Is on internet for life
Not as interactive as a wiki space

Opportunities

Provides opportunities for students to view a summary of content that will be covered during weeks/terms 'Self-Regulated Learning' Dol 5
Provides opportunities for teachers to create a space for resources 'Planning', 'Strategies'
Provides oipportunitites for 'Differentiation' by allowing students to access content either ahead of time or after lessons to help intergrate knowledge or go over content that wasn't first understood.
Provides opportunities for students to help create a class website, therefore, maybe increasing 'Motivation' by providing the students with 'Ownership'
Provides opportunties to present resources, stratgies and information to students.

Threats

Malware that is distributed through a webpage. Malware are malicous codes which attack computers/websites, similar to a virus.
Spyware, a traching device which tracks online habits.

Safe, Legal & Ethical

A website can be set up so that anyone without the IP address can not access it. It can also be made public for anyone to see. A website however, can not be edited by others that are viewing the content.
Again, there are legal rights to attribution and reference to information, media and so on that need to be adhered to.
A letter may be signed by parents allowing the students to be involved in the creation and use of a website. Additionally, permission to post photo's of students needs to be signed by parents

References

Marzano, R.J & Pickering, D.J. (1997). Dimensions of learning teacher’s manual (2^nd ed. ) Aurora, CO: Mid-continent Regional Educational Laboratry.

UK Web Hosting. (2012). Providing quality since 2001. Retrieved from http://www.uk-web-hosting.co.uk/website-threats