Quick Website Creation for Educators

I've had to learn to make web pages the hard way -- first by hand coding HTML, then later by learning the nuances of several HTML editors. Several other teachers have asked me how to go about creating one and, until now, I'd have to sigh and say, "well first you have to learn a program like DreamWeaver or FrontPage, and then you have to have a server or rent space on a server to put your website on". That's a big learning curve for someone who just wants to post daily assignments or keep a list of course reminders current for students and parents.

Then along came Google Sites (all you need is a Google Account if you don't already have one). While I've used Google and its products for ages now, I've never really noticed this little gem. Perhaps it's been around longer than I know, but what I've been able to find suggests that it was only introduced this past May to the general Internet user. Some of you may be aware of its sibling web app called Google Page Creator which is similar, though has failed to graduate from Google Labs with a green light. After playing around with Google Sites for about 30 minutes and figuring it out rather quickly, I found it friendly and robust enough for about any teacher wanting a create his or her first website. You can create your entire multi-page presence with hyperlinks, pictures, video, calendars and more. If you are at all familiar with Google's Blogger, this app feels similar. You can use pre-made templates for your website and it comes with a few interactive features such as listing your most recent visitor activity! Pretty niffty! But best of all, Google hosts all of your documents that you upload!! I'd give it a thumbs up as a "gateway website-making app"! Check out the below YouTube video to learn more about it and this quick overview page. I'll keep looking for in-depth tutorials on this web app and pass along word when I find them.