Reflection #3 - Google Sites

What: This week in class, we learned about Google sites and how creating one for your classroom can be a great communication tool. Our assignment was to create our own site and include several resources that would be useful for parents and students to access from home.
So What: Because technology is becoming so popular, I think using Google sites to communicate with the parents of our students is an awesome idea. I loved using the different sidebar options to add things such as announcements and a class calendar. Using a Google site for your class allows parents to know what we've been doing in class and also informs them of upcoming events. The only thing I didn't enjoy about doing this assignment was the time commitment. Usually, computer skills come very easily to me, but I had trouble navigating the layout and design of Google sites. I had to play around with it a lot in order for it to work properly and look the way I wanted it to.
Now What: I do like the idea of having a webpage for my classroom one day. I love that any announcements or upcoming events can be posted there to inform parents. It would be so much easier than having to send a note home every time I need to communicate with them. The possibilities with Google sites seem pretty infinite. I love that there is so much storage space available with the file cabinet option because that is a great tool to share with students. I'm not sure if I like using Google sites, but I definitely do like the idea of a classroom website.