using google sites - pearson educationwps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/13153/13469152/… · ·...

Appendix B of Introduction to Google Apps: Productivity Apps, First Edition, Michael Miller. Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc. Published by Pearson Prentice Hall. All rights reserved.

Objectives After you read this appendix, you will be able to:

1. Create a New Site

2. Manage Your Sites

3. Collaborate on a Shared Site

A P P E N D I X B

Using Google Sites

The following Hands-On Exercises will help you accomplish the appendix objectives:

Hands-On Exercises EXERCISES SKILLS COVERED

1. Creating a New Site Step 1: Create Your First Web Page Step 2: Add Content to Your Page Step 3: Add Another Web Page

2. Managing Your Sites Step 1: Create an Additional Site Step 2: View and Edit Site Information Step 3: Delete a Page Step 4: Delete a Site

3. Collaborating on a Shared Site Step 1: Share a Site with Others Step 2: View Group Activity Step 3: Be Notified of Group Activity

1

Z02_MILL5187_01_SE_APPB.indd 1Z02_MILL5187_01_SE_APPB.indd 1 27/06/11 8:44 PM27/06/11 8:44 PM

Hands-On Exercises

1 | Creating a New Site Steps: 1. Create Your First Web Page; 2. Add Content to Your Page; 3. Add

Another Web Page .

Use Figures B.1 through B.10 as a guide to the exercise.

2 APPENDIX B | Using Google Sites

Objective 1

Create a New Site What is Google Sites? Google Sites is a way to create both individual and group web pages and websites. You can use Google Sites to create a single personal web page or a website for your business, community group, or family. Google Sites shines in its collaborative features; it’s a great way to work on group projects online.

How does Google Sites work? Google Sites is all about web page creation, which you do with a simple fill-in-the-form interface. Enter some basic information, make a few choices, and you’ve created your first Google Sites page.

Once you’ve created your first web page, it’s equally easy to create more—and thus generate an entire website. It’s also easy to open that website to authorized collaborators, who can then edit the site’s pages, add their own content, and share web-based assets.

What are Google Sites templates? With Google Sites, a template provides a head start on creating certain types of websites. A template not only defines a visual style but also provides content modules designed for specific applications. For example, the Classroom site template is designed for teachers to use in their classrooms; it includes content modules for Recent Announcements, Homework Assignments, Class Calendar, and the like.

To whom is Google Sites targeted? Google is targeting Google Sites at the collaboration market—businesses and organi-zations that need a central space on the web to collaborate on group projects. Google Sites is not designed for large commercial or e-commerce websites. A Google Sites page or site can serve as the home base for small projects, with each group member contributing content as necessary.

How much does it cost to use Google Sites? Google Sites pages are hosted by Google, for free. You get 100MB of file storage in total for site hosting; each site can hold an unlimited number of pages.

How much can you customize a Google site? While Google Sites offers a small degree of customization, it does not offer the full range of customization features available when you design your own website from scratch. While you can choose from predesigned visual themes and even change the color of individual elements on a page, you cannot edit the page’s underlying HTML code.

Google Sites Google’s website creation and hosting service, designed specifically for busi-ness and group collaboration.


Hands-On Exercises 3

Create Your First Web Page Refer to Figures B.1 through B.4 as you complete Step 1.

You create a Google site one web page at a time. When you create your first web page, you are creating the first page on a Google site.

Step 1

a. Go to the Google Sites homepage ( sites.google.com ) and log in to your Google account, if necessary.

b. Click the Create site button.

Google Account

To create and use a Google site, you must first have a Google account.

Click to create a new site

Figure B.1 Hands-On Exercise 1, Steps 1a and 1b.

You now see the Create new site page.

c. Click the template you want to use for this site. (For this example, use the Blank template.)

You can choose from several preselected templates on this page, or click the Browse the gallery for more link to view and select from additional templates. If you don’t have a specific application in mind, choose the Blank template; you can change templates at a later time .

d. Enter a name for your site into the Name your Site box.

Google generates the URL for your site based on the name you enter. The URL is in the form http://sites.google.com/site/ yoursitename .

Duplicate URLs

Sometimes Google tries to assign to your site a URL that is already in use; this is common when building a site from a template. If this is the case, you’ll be alerted to this fact when you try to create the site and returned to the Create new site page. Go back to the URL box and enter a more unique URL; this can be as simple as adding some numbers after the URL that Google automatically entered.



Select template

Click to view more templates

Enter site name

Site URL

Figure B.2 Hands-On Exercise 1, Steps 1c and 1d.

e. Click the + sign to expand the Choose a theme section and then select a visual theme for your site.

Click to expand section

Select visual theme

Figure B.3 Hands-On Exercise 1, Step 1e.

f. Click the + sign to expand the More Options section and then enter a description for your site into the Site description box.

g. To make the site fully public, so that anyone can see it, click the Everyone in the world can view this site option. To share the site only with specific collabora-tors or visitors, click the Only people I specify can view this site option.

h. If the site contains mature content, in terms of language or images, check the Mature content box.

i. For verification purposes, enter the verification code into the Please type the code shown box.

j. Click the Create site button.

Google now displays your new empty page.



Click to expand section

Enter site description

Click if site containsmature content

Enter verification code

Click to make sitepublicly visible

Click to make site private

Click to create site

Figure B.4 Hands-On Exercise 1, Steps 1f through 1j.

Add Content to Your Page Refer to Figures B.5 through B.7 as you complete Step 2.

When you create a web page, it is devoid of content. You must then add content to the page.

a. Go to the Google Sites homepage.

All the sites you’ve created are now listed here.

b. Click the name of the site to which you want to add content.

Step 2

Click to open site


Your empty web page is now displayed, along with a group of editing buttons above the page. Only you, the site creator, see this and other management but-tons; regular users see only the page itself.

c. Click the Edit page button.

Click to add content

Figure B.6 Hands-On Exercise 1, Step 2c.



The page now changes to display two main content modules, or sections—the title (labeled “Home”) and the body. (Pages based on different templates may contain additional sections.)

d. Highlight the title (“Home”) and replace it with your own page title.

e. Enter the primary content for this page into the main content module or text box.

f. Use the controls on the Formatting toolbar to format the content entered.

Additional formatting options are available from the Format menu.

g. To switch to a different page layout (two column, right sidebar, etc.), click the Layout menu and select a layout.

h. To insert various page elements, including images, links, and Google-specific content modules (Calendar, Document, Map, etc.), position the insertion point where you want the item, click the Insert menu, and select the item to insert.

i. When you’re done editing your page, click the Save button.

The changes you made will now display when you select that page on the main Google Sites page.

Page title

Primary content

Click to insert page elementsClick to format text

Formattingtoolbar

Click to savechanges

Click to change layout

Figure B.7 Hands-On Exercise 1, Steps 2d through 2i.

Add Another Web Page Refer to Figures B.8 through B.10 as you complete Step 3.

Seldom do you want a site with just a single web page. So, Google Sites enables you to easily create additional pages for your site.

a. Go to the Google Sites homepage.

b. Click the name of the site to which you want to add pages.

Step 3

Click to open site


Your first web page is now displayed.



c. Click the Create page button at the top of the page.

Click to add a new page


This opens the Create a new page page.

d. Select a template for this new page—Web Page, Announcements (for group announcements), File Cabinet (for holding group files), or List (for tracking group tasks).

e. Enter a name for the page into the Name box.

f. To organize the new page at the same level as your site’s homepage, click the Put page at the top level option. To organize the new page as a subpage on the first level beneath the homepage, click the Put page under Homepagename option.

Page Level

You have the choice of inserting a new page at the same level of the original page or one level be-neath it. Think of this type of website structure like an outline or an organization chart. If the new page is subordinate to the original page, place it at one level below. If the new page is every bit as important as the original page, place it at the same level. However, you probably shouldn’t have more than one page at the homepage level; that’s confusing to anyone browsing your site.

g. Click the Create Page button.

The new page is added to your site. You can now add content to the page the same way you added content to your original page—just select the page in the sidebar of your homepage and start typing.

Select page template

Enter page name

Click to position sameas home page

Click to position underhome page

Click to create page

Figure B.10 Hands-On Exercise 1, Steps 3d through 3g.



2 | Managing Your Sites Steps: 1. Create an Additional Site; 2. View and Edit Site Information; 3. Delete a

Page; 4. Delete a Site .

Hands-On Exercises


Objective 2

Manage Your Sites Can you create more than one Google site? Just as a site isn’t limited to a single page, Google Sites doesn’t limit you to a single site. You can add more sites to your portfolio at any time.

Can you delete pages and sites? Google Sites lets you delete any individual page from a given site. You can also delete entire sites, if need be. This enables you to keep a tight portfolio of sites as your needs change going forward.

Step 1 Create an Additional Site Refer to Figure B.11 as you complete Step 1.

a. Go to the main Google Sites page.

b. Click the Create new site button.

c. Follow the steps in exercise 1 to create the first page for the new site and then add content to that page.

Click to create new site

Figure B.11 Hands-On Exercise 2, Step 1.

View and Edit Site Information Refer to Figures B.12 through B.17 as you complete Step 2.

a. From the main Google Sites page, click the site you wish to view.

This opens the homepage of the selected site.

Step 2



Click to manage site

Figure B.12 Hands-On Exercise 2, Step 2b.

This opens the Manage site page.

c. To view all pages in this site, click Pages in the sidebar. Click the Tree button to view pages in a hierarchical “tree” structure; click the List button to view an alphabetical list of pages.

Click to view all site pages

Click to view as a tree

Click to view as a list

Click to expand level


d. To view and edit information about this site, click General in the Site settings section of the sidebar. Edit settings as necessary and then click the Save changes button.

b. Click the More actions drop-down list at the top of the page and then select Manage site .



e. To change the layout of the pages in this site, click Site layout in the Site appear-ance section of the sidebar. Click the Change site layout button and then edit any layout setting as necessary. Click the OK button when done.

Click to view site layout

Click to change site layout


f. To change the colors and fonts used for this site, click Colors and Fonts in the Site appearance section of the sidebar. Make any changes necessary and then click the Save changes button.

Click to view and editsite information

Click to save changes

Figure B.14 Hands-On Exercise 2, Step 2d.



Click to change theme


Click to changecolors and fonts

Select element to change


Edit element attributes

Figure B.16 Hands-On Exercise 2, Step 2f.

g. To use a different visual theme for this site, click Themes in the Site appear-ance section of the sidebar. Make any changes necessary and then click the Save changes button.

Figure B.17 Hands-On Exercise 2, Step 2g.

Delete a Page Refer to Figures B.18 and B.19 as you complete Step 3.

a. From the main Google Sites page, click the desired site.


b. Navigate to the page you want to delete.

c. Click the More actions drop-down list at the top of the page and then select Delete page .

Step 3



Delete a Site Refer to Figures B.20 through B.23 as you complete Step 4.

a. From the main Google Sites page, click the site you wish to delete.



Step 4



d. When the Delete page dialog box appears, click the Delete button.

Click to confirm deletion


Deleting Pages

You can delete pages only from a site that has more than one page. If your site consists of a single page, you cannot delete that page.

Click to delete current page




Collaborate on a Shared Site 13

Objective 3

Collaborate on a Shared Site Can Google Sites be used for group online collaboration? Like most Google applications, Google Sites is ideal for online collaboration. As a web-based application, group members can access a Google site from any computer with an Internet connection; the members of the group do not all have to be based in the same physical location.

How can you use Google Sites for group projects? A Google site can be used to post announcements to group members, host files for group use, and manage to-do lists for group projects. Members of a group can be assigned either Viewer or Collaborator status; a viewer can view content only, while a collaborator can change content on the group site.

How can you share files with members of your group? The best way to share files is to create a new page with the File Cabinet template. A File Cabinet page includes buttons for managing files on the site, including Add file , Move to , Delete , and Subscribe to changes . Each file that is uploaded in-cludes View and Download links ( Figure B. 24 ).

e. When the Really delete site? dialog box appears, click the Delete button.

c. Click General in the Site settings section of the sidebar.

Click to display General tab


d. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Delete this Site .

Click to delete current site


Click to confirm deletion



Click to create newannouncement

Prior announcements

Figure B.26 An Announcements page on a Google site.

How can you make group announcements? The best way to make announcements to group members is to create a new page with the Announcements template. An Announcements page includes a New post button for creating an-nouncements; it then lists all announcements for members of the group to read ( Figure B. 26 ).

Click to add new task

Figure B.25 An Action Items list page on a Google site.


Click to upload new file

Click to delete file

Click to view file

Click to download file

Click to move selectedfile to another folder

Click to be notified ofchanges on this page

Figure B.24 A File Cabinet page on a Google site.

How can you manage tasks lists in a group? The best way to use tasks lists is to create a new page with the List template; you then have the choice of creating an Action Items list, Issue List, Unit Status list, or a custom list. A List page includes an Add item button for adding an item to the tasks list; it then lists all tasks for this project ( Figure B. 25 ).



This displays the Sharing settings dialog box.

c. Enter the email addresses of the other group members to the Add people box, separated by commas.

d. Click the edit button and select either Can edit (to let these users contribute to the site) or Can view (to let these users view the site content only).

e. Enter an optional message to these people.

f. Click the Share button.

The users you specified will receive an email invitation to the site. Once a user has accepted your invitation, he or she will be able to either view or edit the site as specified.

Hands-On Exercises

3 | Collaborating on a Shared Site Steps: 1. Share a Site with Others; 2. View Group Activity; 3. Be Notified of

Group Activity .


Share a Site with Others Refer to Figures B.27 and B.28 as you complete Step 1.

To share a site with others, you must give individuals permission to view or edit the site and then invite them to collaborate.

a. From the main Google Sites page, click the site you want to share.

This opens the site’s homepage.

b. Click the More actions drop-down list and select Site permissions .

Step 1

Click to share the site




View Group Activity Refer to Figures B.29 and B.30 as you complete Step 2.

To keep up-to-date with group activity, you can view all recent changes made to the site.




Step 2




Enter email addresses

Select permission level

Enter optionalinvitation message

Click to share

Figure B.28 Hands-On Exercise 3, Steps 1c through 1f.



c. Click Recent site activity in the sidebar.

The most recent changes to the site are now displayed.

Click to view recent activity


Be Notified of Group Activity Refer to Figure B.31 as you complete Step 3.

You may want to be automatically notified when a group member makes a change to the site. You can subscribe to receive email notifications of all site activity.



b. Click the More actions drop-down list at the top of the page and then select Subscribe to site changes .

You will now receive email notification when changes are made to the site.

Step 3

Click to receivenotification of changes

Figure B.31 Hands-On Exercise 3, Step 3.



Summary

In this appendix, you learned how to create a new Google site and add content to that site’s pages. You also learned how to manage your Google Sites and use your sites for group collaboration.

Key Term

Google Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following is true?

(a) Google Sites is a web hosting service.

(b) Google Sites is designed for large commercial websites.

(c) Google Sites is fully customizable at the HTML level.

(d) Google Sites offers unlimited storage.

2. How much does it cost to use Google Sites?

(a) $99.95/year

(b) $19.95/month

(c) $9.95/month

(d) Nothing—it’s free

3. A Google Sites URL looks like this:

(a) http://www. yoursitename .com

(b) http://www.googlesites.com/ yoursitename

(c) http://sites.google.com/site/ yoursitename

(d) http://www.google.com/ yoursitename

4. You can customize the look of your Google site with the use of predesigned

(a) gadgets.

(b) themes.

(c) macros.

(d) domains.

5. How many sites can you create with Google Sites?

(a) 1

(b) 10

(c) 100

(d) An unlimited number

6. A Google Sites template lets you

(a) apply a predesigned color scheme to your site.

(b) create a site with content modules designed for a specific application.

(c) create a site based on another site on the web.

(d) add stock images to your site.


Practice Exercises 19

7. How many pages can you include in a Google site?

(a) 1

(b) 5

(c) 10

(d) An unlimited number

8. To share files with group members, you should add what kind of page to your site?

(a) File Cabinet

(b) List

(c) Announcements

(d) Blank

9. To better manage the tasks of a group project, you should add what kind of page to your site?

(a) File Cabinet

(b) List

(c) Announcements

(d) Blank

10. To enable group members to make changes to a Google Sites page, you should select which sharing option?

(a) Can view

(b) Can edit

(c) Can upload

(d) Can collaborate

Practice Exercises

1. Simple Site In this exercise, you create a simple Google site for your own personal use.

(a) Create a new site based on the Blank template. (b) Name the site Yourname’s Site. (c) Assign the site the Desert Panel theme. (d) Title the homepage My Home on the Web and write a short description

of yourself. (e) Add a picture of yourself or your family to your homepage. (f) Add a second page to your site, based on the Web Page template, under the

homepage. Title this page Things I Like and create a list of things you like on this page.

(g) Invite your instructor to share the site with viewing privileges only. (Later, if you like the site, you can keep it and make it public.)

2. Family Site In this exercise you create a Google Site for family activities.

(a) Create a new site based on the Family site template. (Browse for additional templates, select Personal & family, and then search for family site.)

(b) Name the site Yourlastname Family. (c) Assign the site the Solitude: Spice theme. (d) Work through the pages of the site to customize the content specific to you and

your family, or as much as is possible. Follow the instructions on each page to



replace the generic content (calendars and maps, etc.) with your own versions. Try to customize as much content as you can. (It’s okay to make up some con-tent if you need to.)

(e) Invite your instructor to share the site with viewing privileges only.

Critical Thinking

1. The primary purpose of Google Sites is to offer a home on the web for collaborative projects. Write a short paper discussing how a school organization, such as a club or student council, might take advantage of Google Sites in this manner.

2. While Google Sites is not targeted at users who want a personal presence on the Web, it can be used for that purpose. Write a short paper discussing how you might construct a personal Google site, and what settings and features you should take advantage of to make your personal site available to and attractive to the general public.

Team Projects

1. In this project, you’ll create a group site for collaborative purposes. Start by having the lead member of the team create a new site based on a blank template; use the Iceberg theme. Give the site a name representative of your team, and assign all team members editing privileges.

On the homepage of the site, write a short description of your team and list all team members. Name this page Group Home.

Add a File Cabinet page to your site and name it Group Files. Have each mem-ber of the team upload at least one file (can be digital photos) to this page.

Add a List page to your site and name it Group Tasks. Have each member of the team add at least one task to the list.

Add an Announcements page to your site and name it Group Announcements. Have each member of the team post at least one announcement to this page.

Invite your instructor to share the site with viewing privileges only. 2. The lead member of the team should create a Google site based on the Corp intranet

template. (Browse for additional templates, select Business collaboration, and search for corp intranet.) Name your site Team Intranet, assign it the Slate theme, and assign all team members editing privileges.

The site that is now created includes about a dozen pages all useful to a com-pany attempting to communicate with its employees over the company’s internal network. Each member of the team should pick at least one page and edit the generic content to something more unique. Use your imagination if necessary.

When all changes have been made, invite your instructor to share the site with viewing privileges only.


using google sites - pearson educationwps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/13153/13469152/… · ·...

Documents