1. How to Create Websites to Communicate with Families and Colleagues Nationwide
Jennifer Duncan
Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialists

2. Presentation Description
Looking for an easy way to use the internet to communicate with families and colleagues? Join me as we explore different applications and create a website from scratch. Please be prepared to share websites and ideas that you have used to communicate, collaborate, and share lessons with your families and colleagues.

3. Presentation Objectives
1. Audience members will know how to create their own website to become a resource for others.
2. Audience members will know at least three websites/apps to help use in their career.
3. Audience members will learn ideas from other attendees and problem solve ways to further communicate with families and colleagues.

4. During the presentation keep in mind….
While we will only be exploring one way to create, there are multiple ways and you are welcome to share!
We will be creating
Look into permission first
Employment
Not all allow certain sites to be used
Be familiar with ADA laws regarding websites
Families
They may not want their child’s picture on the internet
Do you have a form for your district/agency that would need to be completed regarding posting pictures, information, or regarding internet safety?

5. OBJECTIVE 1 Audience members will know how to create their own website to become a resource for others.
Things to think about before you start…
What is the purpose of your website?
What Information will you share?
Target Audience?
Parents?
Students?
Other professionals?
Storage space needed
Accessibility
(2003)
(May 7th, 2017)

6. First… Choose which company/type of site you would like to go with…
Examples: Wix.com and Weebly
The 16 Best Free Website Builders: We Expose Their Strengths and Weaknesses
Robert Brandl, Jan. 18th, 2018
For this presentation we will be exploring Google Sites

7. Google Sites Overview What it can do…
Allow for you to have a site without ads
Has a responsive design (adjusts for the device you’re on)
Auto saves and has features like other Google products
What it can’t do
The new version does not have all of the same features as the old such as a comment section
Not all workplaces allow for Google Sites

8. First… Go to https://sites.google.com/
OR by clicking on Google Apps (“waffle”) and clicking on the “Sites” icons
Picture Description: Screenshot of computer screen showing twelve Google App Icons with a red circle around the Google Apps tab and a red circle around the Sites icon

9. Create
Click on the “Create” tab and select “in classic Sites” or “in new Sites”
Keep in mind: Google will eventually be moving to the new Sites, so eventually you will have to convert over
Picture Description: Screenshot of computer screen with a red circle around the “Create” tab with a drop down box with two choices to click on; “in classic Sites” or “in new Sites”

10. Let’s give it a try! Title the website Choose a theme
Add a logo or picture (if desired)
Choose a photo (if desired)
Inserting
Text box
Images
Embed
Upload
Drive
Youtube
Calendar
Map
Google Suite (Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms, Charts)

11. Time to share your page…
You could copy and paste your given URL when sharing or
Goo.gl
Bit.ly.com
Blog about Bit.ly Vs. Goo.gl
Tinyurl.com

12. OBJECTIVE 2 Audience members will know at least three websites/apps to help use in their career.
Google Suite
Sites
Forms
Doc
Classroom
Substital
Seesaw
Pinterest
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube

13. OBJECTIVE 3 Audience members will learn ideas from other attendees and problem solve ways to further communicate with families and colleagues.
Let’s keep the conversation going and create a list!

14. Questions?

15. Contact Information
Jennifer Duncan
Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist

16. Resources
The 16 Best Free Website Builders: We Expose Their Strengths and Weaknesses
Robert Brandl, Jan. 18th, 2018
Bitly Vs Google: Which URL Shortener is Better for You?
Derric Haynie, August 26, 2016
ADA.gov
Google.com