GAIN: Google Sites

Link to Google Sites Page:  
https://sites.google.com/site/mskykersclass/

Experience:
Through setting up a Google Site webpage, I was surprised with the simplicity of the program.  As a graduate student, I realize the usefulness of this particular Google App when creating classroom pages for student and parent access.  This allows for the teacher to post vital information which can be accessed at any time by the parents/ students which will be more effective (if a computer and internet is available) than paper which can be lost so easily in transport from the school to the home.

 In order to be in accordance with FERPA, this particular website can be set to semi-private where student comments on the posts will not be seen to individuals outside of the class (the entire internet).  For purposes of this assignment, my website is public; however, I would definitely adjust the settings as a classroom page so that only individuals with the link can access the site.  

While setting up my own site, I chose to create a general website for classroom use.  This included a home page which reflects my personal information as well as how the site is to be used.  The additional pages are set up so that I can post information and assignments as time goes on with the newest posts located at the top of the page (similar to a blog post).  This also allows students and parents to post on each new addition to the site for communication.  I am hoping that this feature will allow students and parents to collaborate with each other in a positive manner on the website.

In order to include outside links, I chose to post the link to a Google Form and Google Keynote presentation I created for the purposes of this particular class.  I did try to attach the form through the "Insert, Google" option (which should post the quiz directly to the page) however this function did not work for me.  I am unsure as to why my computer would not allow me to do so.  I also attempted to attach a calendar through the "Insert, Google" option and was unable to attach any sort of calendar since a blank box appeared.  Despite the difficulties faced, I was able to list key information for my hypothetical class.