Google Site

Have you ever dreamed of having your own website? It is easier than you think! Google offers a platform to make your own website.  It is called Google Site.  Below are very simple directions and screenshots on how to get started.  For more details, watch the video.  

The first thing you need to do is go to sites.google.com and selected new.  

When you start, the first thing you can do is give your website a title.  

Then you can add a picture.  You can use an image from Google's gallery or you can upload your own image.  Click on "Change Image".

Now you should have a title and header image.  From there you can continue to customize your website.  On the right, you see 3 options: Insert, Pages, Themes.  There are numerous things you can insert into your website under the Insert tab.  I selected add a text box to start. 

When inserting anything from your Google Drive into your website, make sure that you have changed the sharing setting to "anyone with the link".  

The next thing that I did was go to "Pages" and added pages/tabs in my website.  To do this, click on the pages tabs and go to the + at the bottom.  There you have 3 options.  I added a new page for the schedule and another for pictures.  

The next way to customize your website if to change the Theme.  It is the 3rd tab and there you can select a theme already provided or make your own.  I selected the theme below and changed the color.  

Now it is time to Publish your website.  You will click on the "Publish" button and get a customized domain.  You can also change the name from there if you don't like what they used.  

To share it, you can click on the button at the top as pictured below and then share either the link by copying the link and sharing.  Antoher way is to share by email it to other.  

For more detailed instructions, watch this helpful video.  

Remember to view your website before you publish it and make sure that it is user-friendly.  

This class has been very useful but overall I think that the part of the class that resonated the most with me was the examples of how to use Google Tools in our classroom.  Sometimes you are presented with technology ideas that don't apply to your grade level (especially when teaching primary).  But the ideas shared can be used at many different levels and can be incorporated into the classroom from Kindergarten to 12th grade.  Who knew Google has so many tools aimed towards education.  I sure didn't!