This assignment is to create a wiki or website for a course that you might teach as an instructor.
*It is recommended that you use Google Sites–this is the tool I’ll demonstrate in class. However, if you want to explore another technology (like Blogger, Edublogs, Wikispaces, iWeb, or something else), you are welcome to, and that is recommended if you are already familiar with Google Sites. Click here for tutorials and a rubric if you choose to convert your Blogger blog into a class website. If you use Edublogs, Wikispaces, or iWeb, use the rubric and assignment on the Blogger page. Google Sites does things differently than these other tools, which is why there are separate assignments and rubrics.
Assignment Using Google Sites
To complete this assignment using Google Sites, create a new website and edit or delete all “placeholder” information created automatically by Google. Your final website should look professional, clean, and ready to be used in your own teaching. At a minimum, it must include pages on the following:
- “About Me”
- “Contact Me”
- Homework Assignments or Announcements
- A calendar of class activities, filled out for at least one month
- Forms and Documents, with at least one document uploaded (this could be a rubric for an assignment you might have)
- Useful links on a separate page or in the sidebar
- A page for your MSE competition entry, where you embed a Youtube video as a placeholder until your own video is done (see the screencast below). If you are not doing the MSE competition, then create a page where you present some instruction with a video or presentation you find on Youtube, TeacherTube or Slideshare.
- Another page where you learn a new tool, such as the following (choose only ONE–unless you want to do more)
- create a survey or Poll using Google Forms
- create a page with links to a social bookmarking site with your favorite content related bookmarks.
- create a page with a link to an audio clip that you have created (using Audacity or GarageBand)
- create a page with an online poster on it (Glogster)
- create a page for parents and students to see book recommendations you have made regarding the content of the course (Goodreads)
- create a page with an embedded mindmap related to the content you teach (such as Mindmeister)
- create a page with an embedded powerpoint document that you have created (SlideShare)
- use Picnik.com to creatively edit the photo on your “about me” or some other page. Post on your blog what edits you made in Picnik if you choose to do that.
- Either a Flickr or Picasa slideshow page
Resources For Creating Class Websites With Google Sites
Creating a Google Site
Editing a Google Site
Editing the Sidebar of your Google Site
Creating a Page for your Competition Entry
Picnik
Embedding Goodreads into Google Sites
Additional iframe tag information: http://www.w3schools.com/TAGS/tag_iframe.asp Here is the code for an iframe tag to embed any online content on a webpage: <iframe src=http://www.site-to-embed width=”800″ height=”600″></iframe> This will put the content of site “http://www.site-to-embed” into a 800×600 pixel frame on the page. <iframe src=http://www.site-to-embed width=”80%” height=”60%”></iframe> This will do the same as above but the site will fill 80% of the width of the page and 60% of the height of the page.
Evaluation Rubric
| Characteristic | Stellar | Adequate | Unacceptable |
| Created a Class Website (6 pts) | Visually appealing, professional look, no broken links or images, easy navigation, good web design. | No broken links or images, and no filler material leftover from Google | Website has problems or is difficult to navigate or still has leftover Google material. |
| Regular pages (1 pt each) |
Completed the pages in items 1-6 above, and the material looks professional and ready to be utilized in a classroom | Completed the pages in items 1-6 above | Missing items. |
| Advanced pages (4 pts each) |
Completed the pages for items 7 and 8, and they look professional. | Completed either 7 OR 8 | Did not complete either item |
| Total Points: 20 |
FAQs
1. Can I use the blank template option?
Yes. Use whatever template you like best. We only suggested that the class template might be easiest.
