Assuming that upgrading her home internet is not an option, Lenora should first be tapping into the Cradleboard network of educators along with anyone in her local area who could support her in her learning about website creation. Obviously, she could also do an internet search and tinker with web tools herself, but from the information presented in the case, it generally sounds like Lenora’s technology skills are not strong. Having a weak internet connection would only exacerbate any frustrations that would already occur in this process.
That being said, a website is still a good idea because it provides a resource not only for their own First Nations education community but also for communities who may be in need of similar resources elsewhere. Looking at how the website is being built, the content that would reside on it, and who would put together that content could be a major strategic move for Lenora in her initiation of this project. If I was advising a specific tool for a beginner, I’d suggest a template-based web platform like Weebly that is free, provides in-app tutorials/videos, customer support, and a simple drag and drop user interface for web design.
In addition to learning a thing or two about website design and creation, the Cradleboard network and local educators could also support her by creating content for the site, as “many had stories to share about the bullying in their band schools.” This would not only bring more culturally relevant lenses to light, but would lighten Lenora’s workload in the project (and offset some of the dial-up internet woes, too). Even if the additional authors didn’t have the technological skills to add it to the site, Lenora could do the uploading at home, a page at a time, and would at least be eased of the task of creating some of the content.
Lenora could also attempt to see if her own district would support her in the development of the website project. I have seen teachers who head worthwhile professional development projects be provided with release time from the classroom in order to fully develop and hone them. Support from administration and district leadership in these scenarios may be present; all she has to do is ask. This would allow her to work more quickly and efficiently with access to the broadband network at her school.
Depending on the amount of time she can save herself through in-district or network-based collaborative resources, I would estimate that this website would take at least 3-4 months to build, but this could vary based on her internet speed. This estimation is made with a consideration that she already knows what she generally wants to include on the website. If she’s still in the process of curating sources, I’d say 4-6 months minimum.