http://blog.lajuett.com/2012/12/google-sitesviable-web-cms-platform.

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Google Sites - A Viable Web CMS Platform

IF YOU NEED TO AUTHOR, DEVELOP, AND LAUNCH A WEBSITE QUICKLY, CONSIDER USING
GOOGLE SITES.

I'm all about efficiency...like most small business owners I am always on the lookout for new
tools to help improve productivity.
My preferred method of Website development is either hand-coding HTML, or using a Web
content management system such as DotNetNuke or Wordpress. Customer requirements
such as budget, time frame and functionality is the major "driver" on which path I choose to
take.

The Google Sites platform has become be a good option because it allows me to deploy
rapid website development solutions for my cost conscious customers.
Below, I will summarize the pro's and con's of using Google Sites.

What is Google Sites:

Similar to other website builders such as Wix, Yola or Weebly...Google Sites is a free Website
CMS hosted in the Google Apps cloud.

Benefits of Google Sites:

Cost - Google Sites (as of now) is a free service*.

Speed - Rapid development using prebuilt templates.

Stability - Hosting is provided via the Google Apps cloud.

Semi-Custom - Template design can be modified using the Web-based GUI.

Including colors, fonts, background images, etc.

Ease of Use - Add new pages and content easily using the browser based admin
screens.

Gadgets - Simple integration with Google's family of products including Picasa, Docs,
Calendar, YouTube, Drive and more.

SEO - Integrated search engine friendly code.

Limitations of Google Sites:

Customization - No access to the core template html code. This limits what can be
changed.

Functionality - Unlike other CMS platforms, access to third party plugins (gadgets) is
limited. This may change as the technology evolves.

Commenting - Guest comments are not allowed. This is a barrier to visitor

communication and engagement.

Google Site Examples:

Jeep FC-150

Priceless Vessels

Pete Dawes

Team Valle Baseball

Conclusion:
The Google Sites platform is a perfect fit for simple websites which require DIY
maintenance. The out-of-the-box functionality will server most small business owners well.
It is a great alternative to the more robust web CMS platforms. An ideal solution for
hobbyists, organizations, sports teams, "mom and pops", and more.

Looking for custom Google Sites web design? Contact us for more
information. Although Google Sites are DYI, some of the
template customization may require the help of a designer and or
Photoshop expert.

http://www.napacoe.org/teched/google-sites/

Tutorials
The following are a mix of written instructions and videos. Ive noted which items are videos.

Beginners Guide to Getting Started with Google Sites

Creating Your New Google Site (video)

Google Sites: Modifying Sharing and Privacy (video)

Editing your Site (video)

Managing Your Site Layout/Themes

Changing your Page Names and Titles

Change/Add a Site Logo

Create a Site Footer

Add and Delete Pages in Your Site (video)

Embedding Code in Google Sites (video)

Inserting Google Docs and Presentations

Adding Video to Google Site Page (video)

Adding Horizontal Navigation (video)

Create Page Templates

Classroom Uses

Google Sites Used for Virtual Learning (video)

Using Google Sites for Teacher Website or Student Projects (video)

Student Centered Interactive ePortfolios with Google Apps

Managing Digital Portfolios with Google Apps (remember everything

created in Google Docs, Slides, Spreadsheets, YouTube etc. can be
included in a Google Site

Portfolio Levels

Portfolio Examples

2nd Grade Portfolios

4th Grade Portfolio

Senior Projects

Free Images
Always verify if and how you need to attribute the author for use of the image.

Ed1Stop: contact Seana Wagner to see if your school has access.

swagner@napacoe.org

Google (conduct advanced search & change usage rights to free to use or
share)

*Flickr (conduct advanced search for Creative Commons)

*Creative Commons Search (select any image category & search)

Stock.xchng

MorgueFile

Archive/The Internet Archive

EveryStockPhoto (search engine to locate free images)

Always verify that the search results do have the appropriate Creative Commons license
applied to it.There is usually an image indicating the type of license indicating how you
can/cant use the image/media. The bottom of this Creative Commons page explains the
types of license.

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2014/04/10-ways-to-use-googlesites-with-your.html

WAYS TO USE GOOGLE SITES WITH YOUR STUDENTS

April 18, 2014

Google Sites is one of the best website creation software I have been recommending
for teachers. There are a wide variety of reasons why Google Sites is an ideal
platform to host your class website and here are some of them:

Google Sites is easy to use and has a student friendly interface.

You can set up your website within minutes without the need for any HMTL or
CSS knowledge.

It provides highly customizable themes that you can easily apply to your site.

It is integrated with some other Google serves like Google Calendar.

Google Sites has a wonderful web-based editor that allows you to easily
create, edit and share you content.

It provides a set of collaborative features including multiple editors and

commenting.

Inserting images, videos, and other multimedia materials is ridiculously easy.

It provides a modest cloud storage capacity for you to upload documents,

files, attachments, and PDFs.

And it is FREE.

Here is a comprehensive guide to help you learn more about how to create a website
using Google Sites.
Below are some of the tips and ideas on how you can use Google Sites with your
students in class:

Create a website for your class where you can share learning materials with
your students.

Use the file cabinet option to upload documents and PDFs that your students
can access anytime they want.

Create a blog inside your Google Sites using the Announcements template
and start sharing updates about your class with your students.

Encourage students to use Google Sites to create digital portfolios displaying

their best work.

Enhance collaborative and group work by inviting students to contribute to

the Google Site or blog you created for your class. You can do this by adding your
students as either owners (they can create new pages) or editors ( they can only
edit existing pages).

Use it in group projects by assigning students to create their own pages and
share them with each other.

Encourage peer review and peer editing by allowing students to post

comments and feedback on each others pages.

If you use Google Calendar then you can have your calendar featured in your
class website.

Embed videos, audio, presentations, and images that students can use when
working on their projects and assignments.

Use it as a wiki where students can edit, comment, and add to each others
work.