Recently a question was posted in the “Ask the Techy Coach” page regarding Google Sites and Google Classroom. A teacher had inquired about creating a project for students in which they would create an eBook on a Google Sites page. Students would “pick up” study guides from Google Classroom and would insert them into their Google Site. Her concern is over how well the two integrate with one another.
Just last year, I posted an article called Google Sites vs. Google Classroom. While that article gives a basic Pros & Cons approach to each, this article will discuss how the two can be integrated.
While Google Classroom is not directly integrated with Google Sites on the same level as, say, Google Docs or Slides, you can still use Sites as the platform for a project, and Classroom as a place to submit work.
For the project side, students can use page templates in Google Sites to:
- Blog about a Topic (Announcements)
- Add Content such as YouTube videos (Web Page)
- Create a database of information (Lists)
- Store files (File Cabinet)
If you are interested in learning more about how Google Sites work, and how to get started, watch here:
Post links and docs for items required in a Project
- While most of the work will be done inside the Blog, students can still pick up items like Docs or Slideshow templates that they can post within their Site. For instance, the teacher could post a Doc in Google Classroom with instructions on how students will use the templates, where they should appear, or how they fit in the portfolio, as well as due dates. In this instance, I have to point out that the integration between Google Sites and Google Docs is great. Google has made it easy to embed or insert almost anything from Drive into a Site.
Post assignment submissions for sections of a Google Site
- Once students have completed work in their Google Site, they can use the Assignment Submission page to paste a URL link to their finished product.
Post Reminders & Project Due Dates
- It never hurts to post timely reminders regarding projects in Google Classroom – especially since they will be sent by email to students as well.
Use the Question tool in Classroom so students can post links to their Google Site for discussion
- The Question tool allows teachers to create a Forum in which you can post a question, and have students respond, and comment on each others responses. This could be used as a great way to get students in a dialogue about their work. This is a great way to introduce peer grading or suggesting.
The Techy Coach 