Google+Sites+Demonstration


 * Google Sites ICT: Building Communication in your classroom Online**
 * By:** Jeremy Ratcliffe

Having a course website is a resource that as a teacher I would not want to do without. It is a powerful communication tool that puts the responsibility and onus of the class on the student. 1. Usefulness 2. Features 3. Create it for yourself 4. Discussion: Pro’s & Con’s Many students have trouble keeping track of what was assigned or discussed in class. A course website is a great tool for students who have trouble with organization and helps them stay on top of their schedule and assignments. It also allows the teacher to communicate with students who missed class due to illness or other reasons. Parents are able to view the site and actively play a part in their child’s success story in school. Students are able to post questions and insights about the class, similar to a blog. Subject Area: anything Age: Intermediate to High School Backup Plan: No need for one. Everyday you can edit the site to make changes.
 * Google Sites Usefulness :**

(It would be great to insert an image of a sample planner like yours)


 * Examples of how it might be used**
 * 1) Course Website
 * 2) Collaborative Web development
 * 3) Homework Assignments
 * 4) Internal / Private Blogging

Short Video: http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/business/collaboration.html There are quite a few possibilities and features you can use to build your course website. I will explore a few examples that I think could be quite useful. As I go through these, feel free to experiment and **create your own site.**
 * Features: **

a. Web Pages – The infrastructure of the site. b. Dashboard – Keeps track of everything to do with your site. c. Announcements – Great for teacher announcements and blogging. d. File Cabinet – Resource for any files that need to be posted. Any type of document can be posted online. Course outlines, grading rubrics, deadlines, readings & worksheets, class assignment schedules, etc. If you can think of something that could be posted, you can put it on your site. With the person beside you, I want you to discuss uses for a google site for your classroom. Q: Why would I use it? What would hold me back from using it? (Pro’s & Cons)
 * Discussion: Pro’s & Con’s **


 * = **Pros** ||= **Cons** ||
 * * Don't have to be an HTML coder
 * ability to specify who can see pages
 * no more "I didn't know about it excuses!"
 * free web hosting!
 * highly customizable
 * can post extra sheets, assignments (so in case students have lost it, or were not in class)
 * great way to connect with students
 * way to communicate with parents


 * chance to build a learning community


 * 'Our class website' creates buy-in and ownership. Good September Activity!
 * grows ownership || * limited features
 * May create Scott's Internet Clutter
 * can't do any CGI / PHP / etc (but if you don't know what that is, you probably don't care)
 * could be a distraction?
 * there's a danger of getting caught up spending too much time creating the website
 * site maintenance could get out of hand if you have one for every class you teach


 * Ownership of the content- Does Google become the owner? ||

After 2 minutes, as a class we will discuss what answers and conclusions they have come to. Have a classmate make a list of pro’s and cons on the website as they are suggested. This provides opportunities for a student to interact with the site in realtime. Possible barriers of implementation: -Not every student has the media literacy skills to contribute -Lack of computer access -Privacy issues -Managing the site might be too much -Learning curve might be high for students, however It works like a word document. -maintaining the momentum -- keep adding content

Question: is there a rubber-stamping feature that allows the teacher to approve student posted content to the website?