TWT2014 Using+Google+Sites+to+Create+Your+Classroom+Website

45. Using Google Sites
__Basics__ __Create a Google Site__ Login to Google Go to Sites Click the red “Create” button Choose Blank Template, choose a theme, name site note 1: think about what you want to name your site bc it becomes part of your URL address and you can’t change the URL note 2: you can also choose a “Browse the gallery” to choose a template, and you can change the text and headings if you don’t like what they have

__Sharing and Permissions__ Who do you want to see your website? You can change this anytime and as many times as you need. Maybe you want to keep it private while you’re working on it? My site is anyone with the link can view so parents don’t have to worry about logins. A site geared toward older children might want to stay just within the school's domain because older students can log in. From the home page, click on the blue share button in the top right corner. Then, under who has access, click the blue "change" in the first row. A screen will pop up allowing you to change your privacy settings. Be sure to save changes.

__Edit Site Layout__ From the home page, click on the cog wheel in the upper right hand corner. In the drop down menu, select edit page layout. Here you can edit your header, horizontal navigation, sidebar, and footer. You can roll your mouse over the section you want to edit. It will look shaded blue. Click in that area and explore. For example, you can move the sidebar from left to right or insert a picture or text into the footer. Be sure to save any changes and hit the blue close button at the top right to get out of the edit site layout feature.

__More: Manage Site: Themes, Colors and Fonts__ Click the cog wheel in the upper right hand corner. Select Manage site. There are a variety of features here to explore. Let's take a look at themes, colors and font. On the left side down at the bottom, click themes, colors, and fonts. From here, you can change your theme and customize colors, images and text within different areas of your site. You should explore the options to decide what visually looks good to you. You can also change your theme here if you decide it is not working for you. Be sure to save changes. At the top left, under manage site, click on your site's name to return to your homepage.

__Edit Home page__ Click on the pencil button on the top right. On the top left, you can change layout- do you want multiple columns? You can click insert to add pictures, videos and gadgets. Remember to put your cursor where you want the image, video etc.. to be placed. FOr images, an edit bar pops up next to the image for you to change the size and position of the image. You can add text by placing your cursor in the fields on your homepage and typing as usual. You can edit it using the bar at the top to change font size, color, etc. Add link to text or image: You can select text or images by highlighting them and clicking on the chain link button at the top. When the screen pops up, be sure to click web address on the left and then type the URL in the URL field. Be sure to click ok. Be sure to hit the blue save button at the top right when you are finished editing.

__Add a New Page__ Click on the new page button at the top right. It is in between the editing pencil and the cog wheel. To add the standard webpage, all you have to do is name the page and click create at the top. The webpage is the default and will be just like the page Google set up for your homepage.

The File Cabinet page is good for homework, materials for parents, etc. Click the add new page button at the top. This time, in the field where it says webpage, change it to file cabinet. Name your page and click create at the top. This type of page allows you to add documents from your computer, links, and things stored on your Google Drive. Remember you must add the new page to your horizontal navigation bar. From your home page, click on the cog wheel button. Click on edit site layout. Then roll your mouse over the navigational bar until it is shaded in. Click anywhere in the shaded area to edit. Now, when the screen pops up, go to where it says add page. It is underneath the box. Now, at the bottom, you will see a list of your pages. Click the one you want to add and click ok. You can use the arrows to reposition where pages sit on your navigation bar. Click ok at the bottom. Then click the blue close button at the top right to exit the edit site layout mode.

__Page Settings__ Google defaults to allowing comments and attachments at the bottom of the pages you add. You can disable this feature by clicking on the cog wheel and selecting page settings. Uncheck allow comments and allow attachments. Click save.

__Additional Skills__ Adding a Google Doc Sign up sheet for Parents You can create a field trip or conference sign up sheet in Google Docs. Be sure the settings in the google doc allows for editing (I choose anyone with the link can edit). Now on your Google site, decide where you want this... Do you want a Conferences page, then add a new page. Do you just want this conference doc to be on a page you already have like your homepage? I have a conference page and a field trip page. Wherever you decide to put it, you can type text that says "click here to sign up for a conference." Add a URL to this by following the steps above. This time for the web address, copy and paste the google docs URL from the sign-up doc you created. Then click save.

Adding the URL to your signature of all your emails I do this so parents and students can always find the link to my sight. In your gmail inbox, click on the cog wheel at top right. Select settings. Scroll down to where you see signature. Then type the signature you want in the field. Copy and paste the URL into the text box. Be sure to click save changes at the bottom of the page.

Delete a Google Site Click on the cog wheel at top right. Select manage site. Scroll down using the scroll bar on the right. A little way down you will see a button the says delete this site. Click it and then click ok when google asks you if you are sure. A deleted site remains available for 30 days in case you want to change your mind and restore the site. This is a good feature if you want to create a site just to experiment with. You can delete once you feel you are ready to create your site.

__Example sites__

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jaclyns@cityandcountry.org for any questions! Good luck and have fun!