Google Sites

In today’s age, having a website and providing information to the public is pretty common. For whatever reason someone wants to share information, it is pretty easy to design something that is user friendly, private, public, informative, educational, directional and even conversational much like this blog. So today I created a website for myself and it was extremely easy using Google Sites.

I logged into my Google mail account and then just clicked on the Sites button at the top of the page.  Once in the Sites section, I was able to click on Create a site and off I went! The setup was pretty straight forward and I even found a template that was simple and represented my future profession as a teacher.  The graphics on the page reminded me of Schoolhouse Rock and I love it!

After I setup the template, I had to add some pages and links to the documents I’ve created in my technology course. This was kind of tricky because I added some things in the wrong order, but was able to edit them in the layout section in the drop down box labeled “More” and everything ended up in the order I wanted it. The other thing I had issues with was the uploading. I forgot that even though there is an “add files” button at the bottom of each page, you still have to be in edit mode in order to upload anything. Once I figured that out, I was able to upload my resume and my rubric from last week.

It is definitely a work in progress, but for not having a classroom yet, I think I did okay. Click here to preview Mrs. Heflebower's Class website.

Since a personal website can be useful for anyone, this activity would be a great learning tool for students to learn about creating a website of their own where they have to edit, choose the content and topic, theme and layout appropriately.  This activity complies with the ISTE.NETS.T standards one, two and four. Standard one facilitates learning and creativity in which this activity completely encompasses. For standard two, the design and development of the website helps the students experience learning through digital media while they create a well-thought website to present to the public. The final standard number four promotes and models digital citizenship and responsibility. With this activity, students will learn about the appropriateness of content and language use within their personal website.

I think having a website is great, but I can already see how it is a lot of work to maintain to keep it interesting! I have my work cut out for me when I become a teacher!