Second Encyclopedia of Digital Tools Entry:
Google Sites, as its name implies, is part of the Google series of tools. It allows anyone to create and manage a website. Users are permitted to create a name for the site. If the site name is unavailable, Google will prompt you. They can also choose a template and theme. In order to ensure privacy, users can choose to allow everyone in the world to view the website or just people that they specify.
There is a home page, sidebar links, and options for adding images. There are many different additions one can add to the site. Also, there are multiple formatting options. For a new user, there may be too many. The colors, fonts, alignments, etc. have multiple options to choose from. One of the other nice benefits is that you can give access to edit to others.
My first experience with Google Sites was with a premade template. It was a bit difficult to navigate at first. The blank template seems a bit easier to use. If there were specific sidebar items and or layouts you want to use, I would recommend using a blank template rather than alter the premade templates. For a user with basic/intermediate computer proficiency, I would say that there is quite a bit of time necessary in order to get acquainted with this digital tool. There is not a lot of explanation or step-by-step processes.
I would say that this could be a very useful tool in a classroom. Teachers can collaborate easily since they can all have access to edit the website. They could provide links to useful references. They could manage a calendar and post assignment due dates. They could also have a section dedicated to discussions (student-student, student-teacher, parent-teacher, etc.).
I believe this is a tool worth learning, especially for teachers. It provides a great way to communicate with parents, display upcoming activities/projects, and organize resources available to students and parents.
For one of my other classes, we have begun to create a website using Google Sites. Here is the link to our website in progress: https://sites.google.com/a/albany.edu/assessments-in-education/
I used Google Doc for one of my assignments to collaborate and work with my group members. It was so helpful rather that creating word documents and emailing them back and forth. I like that you said it can be used to communicate with parents and not only used just for the students. I'm sure there is so many more things that you can do in Google Docs then I realize.
ReplyDelete-Kerrianne Sanicola
I think you came up with some good ideas on ways to Google Sites. I think as teachers, collaboration and sharing ideas is huge. To be a good educator you should work with others to get good ideas and activities in your classroom. Using Google Sites can be a good way to work with other teachers in an easier way. Also a way to communicate with parents can also be very helpful. I would love to utilize a tool that makes it easier to do that.
ReplyDeleteI think this program also has potential in individual classrooms as well. Students and their teacher could create a class website together as a collaborating/ice breaking activity at the beginning of the school year. The class web page (created by the students) could be used throughout the year and could be a means of communication as well as a type of class organizer (schedules, due dates, notes, etc.). Looks very promising.
ReplyDeleteSteve