Computers in Education Group of South Australia

Google Sites openly claim to be “the easiest way to make information accessible to people who need quick, up-to-date access”. This Web 2.0 tool allows people to develop websites individually, as a small team (group) or larger organization (class or school). The site administrator (creator) has control over access to the site, including defining who is able to simply view the site and who is able to edit it.

Google Sites is a web-based application, meaning it is accessible from any computer with an Internet connection without the need to download or install any software. This tool allows information from other Google applications (such as Google Docs/Calendar, YouTube, Picasa and so on) and, more recently, other free-form content to be uploaded.

There is no need to know or understand HTML when creating a Google Site. Creating, uploading and editing with Google Sites is as simple as editing a standard document.

Google Sites features a range of ‘page types’. This includes ‘web page’, ‘announcements’, ‘file cabinet’, ‘dashboard’ and ‘list’. Google claim that this list is constantly growing in an effort to ensure ease of use for those using Google Sites.

By using the ‘File Cabinet’ Google Sites users are able to upload files and attachments (10MB max). Users who also have a Google Apps account receive a minimum of 10GB of storage. An additional 500MB of storage is offered to those using the Premier or Education editions of Google Apps.

Google Sites has been developed in such a way that it is integrated with other Google products and applications. This allows rich content - such as videos, documents, spreadsheets, calendars, slideshows and presentations- to be inserted easily onto pages.

The permission settings within Google Sites allow the page creator to define owners, viewers and collaborators. There is also the option of making sites available for viewing by a few nominated people (small group or class), an organization, or across the globe.

Users are able to make use of Google search-engine technology to search Google Sites and their content efficiently with ease.

Interactive examples on how to use Google Sites in schools can be found on Google’s Sites for Teachers page:

Comments:

Thank you Aimee and Julia for creating this new section to the CEGSA web site. I really think Google Sites is a great tool and it will give WikiSpaces a challenge (although it doesn't have the discussion tab). I think your page is well set out and I particularly like the interactive examples that you have identified. Great original video you have created and included. A Screen Toaster introducing the use of the tool would be a great addition to your page. Like wikis, it is important to draw people's attention to the difference between interactive and collaborative wiki pages and ones that simply provide information. I believe it is important to identify exemplary examples to get others thinking about 'what a good one' looks like.

The layout works really well with all the information being on one page. The headings of the sections are the same as the navigation section. They send me to the right place and in the middle of my screen. I like that you also have a back to top link so that I don't have to scroll up and down the page to get my information.

You have some great ideas for use in the classroom and I have taken them on by putting them in to my site for this unit plan. The ideas also cover a great area of subject matter and how Google Sites have been used.

One of the benefits that comes to my mind about using Google Sites is that studetnts can access it at home. This means you can use it for homework and getting parents involved in their child's education.

A barrier that is easily overcome is access to the Internet at home. Its not uncommon to hear about some student not have Internet at home. Most schools have study periods after school and sometimes before school where students can use computers and the Internet. This is still classes as homework time and they have an added bonus of having a teacher in the room that can help them.

I found this great YouTube video that was created by the engineering manager of Google Sites. This could be useful for teacher to learn from and students (depending on age). Google Sites Tutorial

I have played around with some of the gadgets you can put up on Google Sites. They have a large number of different types and variations on the types. I have found some useful gadgets that link to a specific subject mater search engine on the Internet. This will give students articles and sites based on subject matter and refine their search.