Static Websites

Hi all
I have to admit it has taken me some time to understand the definition of a static website. I read text from a number of different website to try and grasp a better understanding with little success. However, I found a YouTube clip (embedded below) on static websites which gave me a clearer understanding on the topic.


Static websites are websites that contain fixed contents on different pages which are easy to create by using a template. To change data on these pagers the creator has to manual change the information displayed page by page. Static websites are still in use; however Dynamic websites are more commonly used today due to pages being generated in real time (Tech Terms, 2009).


Being a visual learner, I should have proceeded to YouTube earlier in my research on this topic. Gardner (1983, 1993, as cited in McMillan & Weyers, 2006) illustrates in his multiple intelligences table, that individual/group learners are able to process information and achieve positive learning outcome with the support of visual aide (i.e. video/audio).

Static website advantages:
· Simple to use and create with the use of templates.
· Opportunity to increase IT skills
· Pages load quick

Disadvantages:
· Because they are static they begin to lose their appeal over time
· Becomes difficult to maintain and change when the site becomes bigger
· Not as visitor interactive as Dynamic sites

In conclusion, static websites have a valuable place in education. The simplicity and ease of creating static website helps introduce students who are unsure and not familiar with website building. This engaging and interactive introduction to website building could lead to more challenging tasks by students in the future (creating a Dynamic website).
Challenging students creates a deeper sense of self-learning and provides students the opportunity to build on their prior knowledge. This theory is re-enforced by Petty (2004), stating that students like challenging tasks and it leads to active learning.

Thank you

Jim Price

McMillan, K., & Weyers, J. (2006). The smarter student: study skills & strategies for success at university. Harlow, Essex, England: Pearson Education Limited.

Petty, G. (2004). Active learning. Retrieved August 12, 2009, from http://www.geoffpetty.com/activelearning.html

Potts, E. (2009). What's the difference between static and dynamic websites? Retrieved August 12, 2009, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_VQilp5GoQ

Tech Terms. (2009). Static websites. Retrieved August 12, 2009, from http://www.techterms.com/definition/staticwebsite