Google+Sites

media type="youtube" key="fD-4FRTzxkI" height="315" width="420" align="right" Google Sites is exactly what it sounds like, a Google App for creating one's own personal or group webpage. Using Google Sites, teachers and students can create a webpage with a variety of features that would be found on any other website. Creators can insert text, images, and tables. In addition, videos and calendars can be embedded into any page. Users can create subpages within a Google site and organize these pages on the navigation bar for easy access. Finally, each page gives creators the option to attach files and post comments. Any site created can be open to the public or can be made private to certain people or groups. The video to the right gives an overview of Google Sites and how to insert these features.


 * Creating a Google Site**

To create a Google Site, visit http://sites.google.com and log in with an e-mail address that is registered through Google. On the Google Site page, users can begin creating a site by clicking Create. Then, name the site that is to be created. Google Sites will automatically create the web address based on the name of the site. Users can choose to start with a blank template or use one of the templates already provided as seen below.

Once the site is created, users can begin editing their pages by clicking the edit icon as shown below.



Google Sites will then open in editing mode, in which the editing toolbar appears. The toolbar buttons look very similar to Microsoft Word and Wikispaces. Creators can insert tables, pictures, and links. In addition, videos, maps, calendars, and any Google Docs file can be embedded into a Google Site page. Once published, users can attach files and add comments at the bottom of each page.



Subpages within the Google site can be created by clicking the icon next to the edit icon. Creators can manage their Google site by clicking More at the top of any page. Using this menu, users can view the edit history, revert back to previously saved forms of the site, subscribe to changes made to this page, and give permissions to who can view and/or edit the page. On the left hand side of the page is the navigation bar. By clicking Edit sidebar, users can edit what subpages appear and the order they appear in. Overall, editing a Google Site is very similar to editing a document in Microsoft Word or any Wiki.



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