Sites

Google Sites (available for both Google Apps for Education and regular Google) is a completely online-based tool that allows you to create a simple or extensive web site. With a few clicks, you can create multiple pages, embed rich content, and even allow others (including students) to add and collaborate on content.

This web site creation tool is one of the simplest available and one of the most flexible. You can create a complex hierarchy of content, include multiple preps on a single site, upload files, and even make blog-like announcements. Additionally it brings together all of the other great Google tools - letting you easily embed Google Docs, Calendar, Picasa albums, and much more!

Types of Pages
  • Web page - A basic page that allows you to write content and embed gadgets.  This is your basic blank slate.
  • Dashboard - A two column webpage with four placeholder gadgets to make it easy to get started creating an overview of information or embed gadgets.
  • File cabinet - A page where you can upload and share files.  You can create folders for different subjects.
  • List - This page can be used to create to-do lists or assignment lists.  You can easily add or remove items.
  • Announcements - This a perfect tools for adding recent announcements to your page.  While much of your content remains static, this lets place time-stamped information anywhere on your site.

The Tool: http://sites.google.com

The Crib Sheet: http://sites.google.com/site/gtaresources/materials/Crib_Sites.pdf

GCT Google Sites Resources:Getting Started Creating Web Pages with Google Sites by Jason Rhode


Exemplar Google Sites from schools or educators:


  • A Study of Politics for the Digital Generation… http://sites.google.com/site/googlitics/
    At this site you’ll find links and lessons to help your students participate and learn about American political elections with online tools from Google. Explore ways to infuse 21st Century Google tools into your classroom during the election season and beyond. Next set up your own participatory Google Site for your students.
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  • Digital Photography Lessons for All http://sites.google.com/site/thephotoweb/Beyond snapshots, this online workshop will explore the variety of ways digital photography enhances all curricular areas by integrating the elements of art and the geography of place into projects and assignments for students.
  • World History https://sites.google.com/site/whworldhistory/ An example how a teacher uses a Google Site with his history class.  Includes syllabus, unit plans, assignments, and announcements. Love the embedded slide show of French Revolution hat projects!
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  • Gone Google http://sites.google.com/site/gonegoog/ A website with listings of lesson ideas that incorporate Google tools.  Lesson ideas for Art, LA, Science, SS and Multi-discipline.
  • Greetings from …” Postcard Geography http://sites.google.com/site/postcardgeography/ This is an online Postcard exchange Project.  Classes are invited to participate in a collaborative Google Map project. It is open to classrooms of all ages and any location. The main goal of this project is to share famous landmarks, locations, or unique aspects of your home state or region.
  • Online Learning Circles:  Building Knowledge through Collaborative Projects http://sites.google.com/site/onlinelearningcircles/ Learning circles is a structured form of collaboration that balances the value of individual ownership with collective responsibility for accomplishing shared learning goals.  This site is devoted to helping others understand what online learning circles share in common across all of these settings.
  • Seabasticook Valley Middle School http://www.sebasticook.info/ Using sites for student projects and have quite a bit of integration with the other Google tools like Picasa Slideshows, Calendars, Links to blog posts in Blogger, etc.
  • Creating an Interactive Portfolio  with Google Sites http://sites.helenbarrett.net/portfolio/how-to - Using examples from my Google Sites portfolio developed by Helen C. Barrett, Ph.D
  • Tech Tip Tuesday http://sites.google.com/site/techtipstuesday/ Archive of weekly tips for using Google tools and products.

You can see that Google Sites can be used for any grade level or any subject area.  If you are looking for a flexible and easy to use online website creator - then Google Sites will work great.  You can even use it with your students to share projects, track assignments, share document sources and project planning. The pages can be customized with themes and your own logo!

Because Google Sites is built on a wiki foundation, all versions of your document are saved. This means you can always go back to early versions of the document and compare changes between different versions.  Another great feature is that Page subscribers can be notified when the page is updated.



Resources: 

How do edit the HTML of a Google table in sites:  http://www.steegle.com/websites/google-sites-howtos/advanced-tables

Thanks to Kern Kelley for screencasts:

Screencast of  embedding a Google Calendar that has multiple calendars in it:  http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cjX0cTnTn 

Embedding a gadget from your iGoogle to your Google Site: http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cjX0cdnTh

Embedding an interactive Google Map (with the code needed) http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cjX0V2nT1



Background Info:

With Google Sites you can create custom web pages. As with many of Google tools, one of the great things (besides being free) is that you can collaborate with others on the creation and content of the pages. It is easy to share video, presentations, and calendars. You decide the level of sharing you would like to permit, and you can limit access to your site to small group or you can make it viewable by the public.

To get started, you will need a Google account. Once you sign in, you can find “Sites” under the “More” drop-down menu, or you can go to sites.google.com Here, you can choose to “Create new site.” It’ll take you to the page you will use to name your site, set up your initial security option, and chose a theme.

Once you create your site, adding content is as easy as using many text editors. Choose “Edit page.” You can now rename and add content to the page.

In the Edit mode, you can easily insert video, Google Docs documents, spreadsheets, spreadsheet forms, presentations, Picasa photo slide shows, calendars, or gadgets You can change the format, insert a table, or chose to have a two-column layout.

Once you save your page, you are taken back to your “home page.” To grant permissions and manage security, go to “Site settings” and chose “Share this site.” Here you can invite owners, collaborators, or viewers. While collaborators can add edit and add content to the site, owners have advanced permissions. If you would like to limit viewing to only a select group, make sure you have unchecked the “Advanced permissions” box. Now only people you invite by email will have access to the site.

Under “Site settings,” you can also “Change appearance” of the site. Add a custom logo, change the theme or the colors and fonts of the site, add background photos. The combinations are as endless as your imagination. Don’t forget to save your changes before returning to the site.

Each time you add a new page, you will have to “Edit sidebar” if you would like it listed. This is found at the bottom of the sidebar or can be done under “Site settings” > “Change appearance.” Under “Navigation” chose “edit.” You will need to add the page to the sidebar. Once there, use the arrows to move the pages around until they are in the order you’d like.

There are so many uses for Google Sites. My students use it to share their writing and class projects with family and friends. Colette has used it to manage an Online Safety Voice Thread project her students did.

Next week, we’ll feature websites that other people have made using Google Sites. But if you’d like to get started making your own Google Site, here are some resources to help: