1 Hour Websites


Web 2.0 Presentation - November 12, 2013 - Access our class handout here


Intro to Google Sites



Practice Website

We have created a practice Google Site that you can try. If you sent me your e-mail via our survey link then you should have access.


Educ 893 Practice Google Site










How to navigate this website:

1. Scan through some examples of Google Sites below

2. Click on the CoP Theory link on the left menu - scan through our research and view some of our examples. Decide for yourself whether these examples are valid. Discussion will follow.

3. Click on the Web 2.0 link on the left and see various examples of Web 2.0 plugins and features that Google Sites support


Examples of BC Google Sites:

Other examples:


Google Sites in relation to CoP theory


Google Sites can serve as a free information hub for community members. Resources can be shared, documents can be uploaded and collaborated on. The integration with Google Docs is a real bonus as that platform is ideally suited to collaboration.

In terms of truly embodying a Web 2.0 tool, Google Sites itself is better used to organize and disseminate information rather than to encourage and engage 2-way discussions. That being said it's a great way to organize lessons outside of class time to prepare students or community members for face-to-face interactions when the group meets in-person.

Google Sites alone do not create a community of practice yet they can be used to facilitate a CoP.

CoP Site Examples:











SFU French Club (Google Group)





Why 1 hour Websites?


As a technology teacher, I have always felt that it was important to lead by example and try to incorporate useful technology into my classes whenever possible. I have always liked the idea of using a website as an educational tool and feel that it should be a valuable resource to both teacher, student, and parent.
 
The benefits to having a functional website include increased student accountability, improved parental communication and interaction, improved student organization, and that's just scratching the surface.

Benefits of having a Teacher Website

·         Increased student accountability

·         Better parental involvement and communication

·         Organization of resources

·         Ease of collaboration

·         Support of differentiated learning styles

·      Lesson supplementation and support (maps, videos, etc)

 
But doesn't maintaining a website require a lot of time and technical skill?
 
Traditionally yes, websites can be time consuming projects that become an added task on top of your already full workload. I however propose the idea that your website will replace other tasks you are already doing and thus fits neatly in and eventually will reduce your workload over time.
 
Advantages of Google Sites?
 
The Google Sites system for a Teacher or Class website has many advantages. It is fast, easy to use, easily updated from any computer and any operating system (Mac or PC), and simple enough that almost anyone can easily build a functioning website within 1 hour. It requires no software installation and be accessed from any web browser, anywhere you have an internet connection.
 
It also offers a flexible and customizable platform that allows for your creativity to come through, at the same time, maintaining a stability and functionality that just "works".
 
You also have full control over who can view your site. You can choose to make it public or limit users to a pre-determined list of your choosing.
 
Other benefits include the fact that it's completely free with no advertising. You also can embed videos, documents, slide-shows and files within your pages.
 
Drawbacks to Google Sites?
 
Although for the average user, Google offers a variety of customizable options; more advanced users may find this limiting.
 
The one major drawback that is important to recognize is that any content you post on your site technically becomes the property of Google. This will not affect you or disallow you from using your own content but it's something that you do need to be aware of.
 
It's similar to you taking a picture at a Canucks game. That picture, if taken inside Rogers Arena, technically, remains the property of the Canucks organization. Same in that your e-mails in your school district account remain the property of the district.
 
My Goals
 
My goal is not to over complicate your daily life but is to offer genuine tools that offer simple, straight-forward benefits to educators throughout our district.
 
Technology should make our lives easier. Technology that fails us in this department is not worth adopting.

If you have chosen to forego the paper handout, you can access



Subpages (2): About Example Sites