Website Scope and Digital Experience

Content may be published on BCTF.ca when: 

• it serves a defined purpose for a clearly identified audience,
• it falls within the Federation's scope to fulfill that purpose,
• there is not an alternative source that more effectively serves that purpose,
• it is accessible, searchable and easy to find, and
• it enhances members' ability to access accurate, timely information.

Content will not be published on BCTF.ca or may be removed from BCTF.ca if:

• it is published in PDF or another document format that creates accessibility barriers, with the exception of
• documents primarily intended for printing,
• user-uploaded teaching resources,
• and documents where a PDF file is a record, such as governance meeting minutes or decisions, research reports, and signed collective agreements,
• it does not meet standards for accessibility, digital experience, content, or document retention,
• there is insufficient evidence that the content meets a need of BCTF.ca users, 
• it is inconsistent with the broader views and priorities of the organization, unless previously approved by BCTF table officers,
• it is too general or non-specific in nature,
• it is outdated, inaccurate, or contains broken links,
• it consists solely of a long list of links,
• it is a communication from another organization without additional context,
• it an email or memo, or
• it has not been reviewed for accuracy in more than six months.

What is it?

It is the primary place for members to receive information about what is happening at the BCTF. If you are wondering where to publish information on the website, it is probably in News and Opportunities.

Examples:

• "Funding for Private Schools has increased by 43% according to study by BC Teachers’ Federation"
• Committee or job posting
• "New Teachers Conference a success"

What is the purpose of News and Opportunities?

To provide a single place where members can learn what is happening. Stories are written in an informal style similar to Teacher Magazine articles. If content is meant to update members, it belongs in News and Opportunities.

What doesn't go in News and Opportunities?

This section is not for evergreen content expected to be referenced for many years, or for archives. News and Opportunities should not contain information that belongs in the BCTF Calendar, or in Services and Information, such as governance documents. Stories should not consist of emails or memos.

Who manages story content?

Website Content Manager (Karen Rojem)

What is it?

Event pages describe upcoming BCTF events such as meetings, conferences, and teacher meetups. Event pages should include information about the event location, time, and registration. Event pages can also include agendas and files shared with event participants, if applicable. The Events Calendar collects all Event pages in one place.

What is the purpose of the Events Calendar?

To provide a single place where members can find out about upcoming BCTF events.

The Events Calendar is not the exclusive area where information about a BCTF event can be mentioned. Staff can publish a story to promote an upcoming conference; however, any information about the conference such as agenda or dates must be found in the Event page.

Who manages Event Calendar content?

Website Content Manager (Karen Rojem)

What is it?

Classroom Resources/TeachBC is a place for members, staff, and the public to upload resources aligned with the BC curriculum to share with other teachers.

Content standards

• Resources must be related to the BC curriculum and should be current, accurate, and well-formatted. They must not contain broken links, outdated information, unlicensed copyright material, or references to unavailable resources.
• Resources must include the context of how they can be used in the classroom. Documents or links consisting only of background information on a topic will not be added.
• Classroom resources should not contain long lists of links - please limit to two or three of the most important. 
• External links must direct users to the exact lesson plan or resource. Links to general homepages or pages requiring further navigation to get to the resource are not permitted.
• Resources must not be promotion for e-commerce sites.
• PDFs may appear in this section.

Who manages Classroom Resources/TeachBC?

Anyone can upload content for consideration in the Classroom Resources/TeachBC section.

Please contact Information Services with concerns about content appearing under Classroom Resources/TeachBC.

Content standards

• Determined by the Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee.
• The Aboriginal Education page should follow the standards of the BCTF.ca Design System as far as possible except where these standards conflict with Aboriginal Ways of Knowing and Being. 

Who manages the Aboriginal Education page?

What is the purpose of Services & Information?

The Services & Information section is the jumping off point for members to find answers to a variety of questions. It can lead members to step-by-step guides to complete tasks, such as applying for Salary Indemnity, or to important documents such as collective agreements and minutes of governance meetings. It also includes information about the services that the BCTF provides to its members, such as workshops, the Teacher magazine, book loans, and member discounts.

Content standards

• The first step of a service should allow people to see if they are eligible before proceeding further.
• Services & Information pages should contain the minimum amount of information required to accomplish a task.
• Instructions should be on the page rather than on the application form.
• Graphics, images, and flow charts should not appear on Services & Information pages. Simplify the instructions so that they fit into the step-by-step format in text form.
• Content must be evergreen.
• Pages must describe the service rather than the department that provides the service - for example, “Update your address” rather than “Member Records.”
• Information must be conveyed on the webpage rather than in a file attached to a webpage.
• Content must be reviewed every year by subject matter experts.

Who manages Services & Information?

These pages are managed as part of the site as a whole by the Web Team.

What is it?

Workspaces are a way for BCTF staff to share files, currently in use, with members related to certain work. For example, this is the place for facilitators to access their workshop materials or political action contacts to access templates.

What it is not

Workspaces are not a place to communicate updates to members. They are not archives.  They are not a place to put any information that could otherwise appear as an update, teaching resource, publication, service or detailed guidance. It is not the records department of the BCTF. It is not file storage. They cannot duplicate other services found on BCTF.ca, such as application forms.

Content standards

• PDF, DOCX and PPT files may appear in this section.
• Files in workspaces must be active documents currently in use.
• Navigation structure of file systems must be clear.
• Access to workspace folders should be from links on the Services and Information > Workspaces page.

Who manages workspaces?

Files in workspaces are managed by subject matter experts and assigned support staff.