Question: Should I put a locker or rich text on my web page?
Answer:
We recommend not.
You have choices for letting students and parents download files from your web pages:
- Use a Locker element.
- Use individual links in a Rich Text element.
As you can see in the comparison table below, it takes more effort to use method #2, but the results are much better. We recommend method #2.
| Factor | Locker element | Rich Text element (recommended) |
|---|---|---|
| What steps are used intially to set up downloadable files on your web page? |
|
|
| What steps are used to add one more file for downloading? |
|
|
| How does it look on your web page? | Ugly.  |
Nice-looking. |
| How easy is it for students and parents? | Difficult and confusing, requiring multiple clicks. | Easy; one-click. |
| Where do the download links appear? | All together in one section of your web page. | Wherever you want, in one or more sections of your web page. |
| In what order are downloadable files shown? | Alphabetical; you have no control. | Any order you choose; you have complete control. |
| When can I upload files? | Only when you are ready to show them to students and parents, since they appear on your web page as soon as you upload them. | Anytime. You have complete control over whether and when they appear on your web page. |
| What text do students and parents click on? | The title of file as specified when you upload it. You can't change it. | Any text you like, changeable at any time. |
Can I reduce the disadvantages of lockers?
Yes, somewhat. If you organize your locker files such that there's a separate locker folder for each section of your web page where you want downloadable file to appear, you can make it less confusing for students and parents by setting each Locker element to display only the files from one particular locker folder. However:
- It still won't be as convenient for students and parents or as nice-looking as a link in a
Rich Text element. - You won't be able to reorganize the downloads on your web page since that would require reorganizing your locker folders, for which School Loop's features are poor. See Can I reoganize my lockers?