Google+Sites

**[|Google Sites]**

Google offers everyone an opportunity to create professional looking web sites that are easy to make using Google Sites.

Resources

 * To learn more about Google Sites [|click here].
 * This is the replacement for Google Page Creator.
 * Get a [|Free Google Adwords Voucher]
 * Google Sites Blog [|**http://googleapps.blogspot.com**]
 * Guides will show you how simple it is to embed student presentations, research paper templates, and even pop quizzes [|**http://docs.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=155427**]
 * Over view of Google Sites []
 * Index for help with Google Sites []
 * Tutorial
 * Video about Google Sites
 * [|5 Ways to use Google Sites in Schools] Learn about 5 different ways you can use Google Sites in your classroom.

**Strengths:**

 * User friendly- you do not need to know any coding language. You edit pictures and text just as you would in a Word Document.
 * Google allows you to insert all of the other tools that they have into your website. For example, you site can show your calendar, a Picasa slide show, etc.
 * It's free!
 * You can make your site private so that only the people you want to visit the website can see it. You send them an invitation, then they can log on.
 * Great way to keep in contact with parents and family. (Keep them updated on important information such as field trips, report cards, parties etc.)
 * Allows you to group pages in a hierarchy by setting up a tree structure in your sidebar, which shows the structure of the site at a glance.
 * Toolbar more closely resembles Google Docs to help make Google applications more uniform.
 * Site settings uses vertical navigation to allow room for upcoming features.
 * Site language configuration allows for the user's and site content to be in the same language.
 * Can change members of your group in a single location.
 * Allows you to organize content in different ways depending on your needs.
 * It is incredibly easy to train teachers on how to make their own website!
 * Students can share their site with a teacher allowing them to edit
 * The file cabinet allows one to store PDFs, word files or other documents making it perfect for an e-portfolio..

**Weaknesses:**

 * In making your website private, everyone that views the website must create a Google account. (Some less tech savvy people may not understand this and have difficulty logging on).
 * Users must be registered with a Google account. A Gmail account may be set up and used for this as well as outside email accounts.

**Opportunities:**

 * This may help in bridging the home-school connection. Parents could log on at home to view activities, a school calendar, pictures of students, or sample student work.
 * The website (depending on age) could be student run. Students could be involved in writing a blog of the events that happen everyday, or for older grades, they could take pictures and upload them.
 * A [|premier edition] that offers more storage, more collaboration, and additional applications is available for a fee.
 * Allows you to share your website with other teachers both in and out of state. This could help with lesson plan ideas and other information swapping.
 * Users can collaborate with others to build content for these sites by inviting collaborators who also have Google accounts. This can provide opportunities for students and teachers to combine their knowledge and learning by creating a site (product) to share with others in a collaborative manner about numerous topics.
 * A free solution for schools, teachers and students to create wikis, a digital portfolio, digital file cabinet, blog or website.

**Threats:**

 * If you choose to make your site public, make sure to follow all safety guidelines for the children. Some school systems may not allow the use of Google Sites by students. Proper permission may need to be attained prior to such use. A good place to start might be the board policy manual.
 * If the website is solely student run, make sure to monitor posts, pictures, sample work, etc. for appropriateness.
 * Not all families will have the technology to access the site at home so do not use it as your sole form of communication.
 * Content can be published on web, thus copyright laws and regulations must be adhered to. Proper credit must be given for material.

Ideas for the Classroom

 * Students can all create a page and link it to whole class web page. Their web page can consist of personal information and students could complete assignments online at home on their own web page as well.
 * Students could write a blog about what happens everyday on the class website.
 * A student job could be to take a digital image from some point in the day to upload to the website then write a comment about it as well.
 * Students can create a homework help page for a discussion room.
 * Parents can view from any location, to submit homework, do quizzes or tests, and class work missed, due to absence.
 * Teachers can use this tool to easily develop and update a class web site to use as a regular communication tool between the classroom and homes of students.
 * A Google blog can be linked to the class web site to be used by students, teachers, and parents to share thoughts about the learning that is occurring in the classroom.
 * Students can become collaborators and work to develop a class site to organize learning products relating to content from across the curriculum. These can be shared with parents to let them in on the learning that is occurring in the classroom.

Examples of Use in the Classroom

 * [|Example Classroom Website]
 * [] Google Sites and applications for elementary through college. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUdBHy3qumc
 * Sample of a Project Using Google Sites with Students
 * Sample Teacher Web Page
 * Sample Website Used to Share a Class Project with Parents