Google Sites: An Online Platform for the “G” Suite!

Free!

Google Sites allows users to create their own website with a template-like structure. To begin, users will need to download the Google Site app to their Google Drive (New > More > Connect More Apps > Search for Google Sites). Users can then create their website by clicking the “New” option followed by “More” and then selecting the “Google Sites” option. A blank website will then be created that users can add content to and stylize.

To begin, users can name their website by clicking on the top left and typing in the name, and Google Drive will automatically update the website’s name. Next, users can double-click anywhere on the website to access a menu of options of content, and the content that can be added includes images; text; Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, & Forms; links; and other files. When choosing the content to add, users will have to complete different steps. Once content is added, users can click and drag it to resize it. In addition, users can hover their mouse over a piece of content that has already been added to further stylize it with background images and colors.

Users can add additional pages to their website by clicking the “Pages” option on the top right of the screen and then the “+” button. Users can then name their page, and Google Sites will create it as a new page that they can then add content to and edit. Once a new page is added, users will see its name appear on the top of the screen. Users can then drag the tile with the page on the right side of the screen to adjust the order of where the different webpages appear on the website. Users can also click the three dots on the right of the tiles to add subpages, which will appear under a webpage.

Similar to other applications in the Google Suite, users can click the “Add Editors” option and insert the email addresses of individuals who can collaborate on the website. Or, users can copy the link and send it to individuals who can add to the website. Both ways allow multiple users to work on one website.

When finished loading content, users can click the “Publish” button on the top right of the screen. Users will then be presented different options that includes deciding who has access to their website, if they wish for their website to be unpublished, and if they wish for their website to be included in search engine results.

Please Note: There are several additional options and features included in Google Sites, and users are encouraged to explore the additional functionalities!

Instructional Ideas for Google Sites

1. At the beginning of the year, teachers can have students create a Google Site. Then, throughout the year, teachers can have students add webpages to their website that includes notes, projects, and other learning artifacts. That way, at the end of the year, students will have a digital portfolio of the content they have created and learned throughout the year.
2. Opposed to writing a traditional paper, teachers can have students use Google Sites to create a website about a topic. Teachers can set specific parameters for the website, such as the number of webpages to be included, topics to be addressed, number of articles to appear, and more! Students can then create their website and publish it. To share their learning, students can add their website’s URL to a class spreadsheet, so their classmates can click on the different URLs and view the work.
3. Teachers can create a class website and add their students as collaborators. Teachers can then have each student create a webpage and complete a specific task. For example, if studying different cultures, teachers can create a website and then assign each student a culture to study. Students can then create a webpage within the website to represent that culture and add content. When finished, all students will have contributed to the website and will be able to view all the content.
4. Teachers can group students together and have the group complete a project, study, or other learning activity. To share their learning, teachers can have each group create a Google Site that highlights specific topics, artifacts, or events related to their work. When creating the website, one student can initiate it and then add the other students in the group as collaborators.
5. Teachers can provide students with an option about which website building tool they wish to use, and their options can include Google Sites, Word Press, Weebly, and Jimdo. Teachers can allow students time to work with the different website builders and then choose the one they wish to use.

Screenshots of Google Sites