Google Sites can be used by students and teachers to create websites for various purposes such as digital portfolios, class websites, and collaborative projects. Students can use Google Sites to create an e-portfolio to showcase their work, build a website to present a project, or share ideas with other students. Teachers can create class web pages, collaborate with other teachers, or manage international projects. Google Sites provides an easy-to-use interface and allows for customization and access management.

1. Google Sites as
Student Portfolios
European Summit, Zurich Switzerland, September 2015
Jennifer Fenton
Primary Technology for Learning Coordinator
International School of Geneva
https://goo.gl/aNGfu6

2. What is a Google Site?
A Google app that allows users to create a website using their own content as
well as embedding media from the internet.
Easy to use editor with an interface similar to all Google apps (i.e. Google Docs,
Google Slides) it is a logical choice for schools using GAFE.
Ability to manage site to control access - for both editing and viewing.
Customisable for particular school, organisation, classroom or child.

3. Why use Google Sites?
Students can…
Create a relevant product to share their
learning.
Build a website to present a project and
publish for the world to see.
Create a personal e-portfolio of their work.
Collaborate and share ideas with other
students for group work and peer tutoring.
Teachers can…
Create a class web page, including handouts
and tutorial videos.
Collaborate with other teachers on
department or school-wide projects.
Manage a international project that connects
teachers and students around the world.
Maintain their digital presence as a teacher
and leader

4. Why use Google Sites?
Students can…
Create a relevant product to share their learning.
Build a website to present a project and publish
for the world to see.
Create a personal e-portfolio of their work.
Collaborate and share ideas with other students
for group work and peer tutoring.
Teachers can…
Create a class web page, including handouts
and tutorial videos.
Collaborate with other teachers on
department or school-wide projects.
Manage a international project that connects
teachers and students around the world.
Maintain their digital presence as a teacher
and leader

5. What is a student portfolio?
A compilation of student work assembled to:
evaluate student progress and/or achievement
create an archive of student work
means to determine if curricula criteria has
been met
Hidden curriculum (2014, August 26). In S. Abbott (Ed.), The glossary of education reform. Retrieved from
http://edglossary.org/hidden-curriculum

6. Where to start?

7. Let’s
create
a
site!
Leap of Faith by Javier Morales on Flickr CC BY 2.0

8. Step by Step
If you were unable to attend the
conference or would like detailed
notes on how to create a Google
site, click here for the step by
step directions.
ClkerFreeVectorImages on Pixabay CC0 Public Domain

9. Example Google Sites

10. Using Google Templates
Digital Portfolio: Modified from a Science Notebook Template on Google Sites
PEP Student Portfolio: A collection from 4th - 12th Grade with examples of
reflection and including state standards
My ePortfolio: Another possibility - simple and easy to customise
PYP Student Portfolio: Another template with some specific PYP suggestions
Classroom Website: Looking through there are tips to help
you customise your own website.

11. Tricks & Tips

12. Keep it simple
When first starting out, be clear about the purpose of the portfolio and establish
criteria or expectations with the students. (Example)
You may want to create your own template to assist students with the creation of
their first portfolio.
Make time in your schedule to build a portfolio during the course of a school year.

13. Add your school’s logo
1. Click the gear icon .
2. Select Edit site layout.
3. Hover over the Header section until you see
"Edit site header" and then click the header.
4. Select Custom Logo and then click Choose file.
Browse for the logo file on your hard drive (or
select No logo to exclude an image).
5. Once you have the image selected, click OK to
confirm your choice.
6. Click the Close button to exit out of editing the
site layout.
Google recommends your logo is
145 px wide x 52 px tall.
Otherwise, it might not appear or
might be warped.

14. Get connected
Create a class website to provide links to your students’ digital portfolios
(Example)
Share links to other classes with other students’ portfolios to encourage
students to share ideas with each other
Enable comments on your students’ portfolios (Note - only available within same
domain) Really want comments from outside your domain and feel up to a
challenge? Try this work-around.

15. Resources

16. Google Sites Tutorial for Education
A concise overview of
Google Sites, including
selecting a template,
embedding content and
managing your site.

17. Websites to assist with Google Sites
Google Sites Help Center (by Google): First stop for any difficulties
Google Sites for Education: website with some educational examples and video
tutorials
Google Sites Help: website by Julie Sharma with list of tutorials
Google Sites Workshop: website by Becky Berg for iTeach 2 Achieve
Getting Started with Google Sites: website by Google Certified teacher, Mary Fran

18. Websites focused on digital portfolios
Student Digital Portfolios: Redefining Assessment with iPads & Google Apps with
Holly Clark by Jen Carey
Managing Digital Portfolios by Kern Kelley
Google Sites as a Tool for Student Portfolios: from the Flipped Education, a
comprehensive list of resources with links, from beginners to advanced users
E Portfolios with Google Apps: by Dr Helen Barrett