Google Sites: Part 1 - Website Creation

Why Do Educators Need A Homebase?

With the web now an integral part of everyone's lives, having a web-homebase is a way to stay organized,

easily connect with parents and students, and provide a jumping off point to the rest of the Internet.

1. Why Google Sites?
2. Static vs. Updated?
3. Personal vs. District? (multiple browsers)
4. What items should be on a teacher website?
   • Calendar
   • Contact information - e-mail, phone, etc.
   • Important documents - syllabus, worksheets, handouts
   • Daily agendas - daily objectives
   • Link to grades
   • Jokes, pictures - fun stuff!
   • Link to school homepage
   • Links to resources - textbook, etc.
   • Internet safety guidelines for students and parents
   • Parent resources
   • Translator
   • Ning network / FB for class / Google Groups
   • Release form for watching movies
   • Student work, video, photos of kids in action
5. How do I plan / structure my website?
6. How manage it over the course of the year?

Examples

• Reuben Hoffman's Site (teacher)
• West Hills Photography (individual subject)
• AP World History @ West Hills (individual subject shared two teachers)
• West Hills Global Studies (individual subject shared by multiple teachers)
• Project Template (guide for students)
• Clubs & Extracurricular Groups / Teams
• PLC Curriculum Development

Google Sites Basics

• How to Create a Google Site (Google Apps version) for guhsd.net
• Design Basics
• Creating pages and editing features
• Embedding - Hold that thought!

Hands On

• Using Google Apps provided by GUHSD or your own personal Google Account create a site.

Resources

• Google Sites Screencast Tutorials
  • Creating a Graphic Header/Logo Graphic
    • Flaming Text - Lots of of cool (and terrible) font sizes. Please avoid the actual flaming text.
    • Picnik - You need to have a graphic or photo to start. Can connect to Picasa or Flickr account.
  • Digital Content User Agreement - Sample Privacy / Permission for displaying digital content from your class. Copy what you want and put in your syllabus.