Sites


 * __ Summary __**

1. Identify, locate, retrieve and differentiate among a variety of electronic sources of information using technology. 2. Evaluate information critically and competently for a specific purpose. 3. Organize, categorize and store information for efficient retrieval. 4. Apply information accurately in order to solve a problem or answer a question.
 * __ Technology Standards Addressed __**
 * __ Maryland __****__ Teacher Technology Standards __**
 * I. Information Access, Evaluation, Processing and Application **

//A. Use technology effectively and appropriately to interact electronically // 1. Use telecommunications to collaborate with peers, parents, colleagues, administrators and/or experts in the field. //B. Use technology to communicate information in a variety of formats // 1. Select appropriate technologies for a particular communication goal. 2. Use productivity tools to publish information. 3. Use multiple digital sources to communicate information online.
 * II. Communication **

Develop professional practices that support continual learning and professional growth in technology. 3. Continually evaluate and reflect on professional practices and emerging technologies to support student learning. 4. Identify local, state and national standards and use them to improve teaching and learning.
 * VII. Professional Growth **

//**Description of Google Site: **//

This Google site was designed to serve as a primary source of communication between home and school for our third grade class. On the site, parents and students can find a wealth of information and useful links. Featured pages include links to the core operations of our classroom such as weekly homework assignments, FAQs, our daily schedule, school supply list, and classroom rules. Other pages are student-centered and link to a variety of subject-related resources including games, websites, documents, and much, much more! It is our hope that as the site grows, so will the positive relations and connections between home and school.

//**Link to Google Site: **//

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Nov. 5th, 2009 This was my first time using the Google Sites application to create a website. I have used other web-based applications for the past 12 years such as MySchoolOnline.com and TeacherWeb.com. Both of these sites were extremely teacher-friendly and free to use for a limited time. As the number of users and demand increased, the sites both decided to charge a fee for their services. I have always seen the value in classroom websites as a home-school communication tool, so I kept my sites going throughout the years. When the opportunity to use Google Sites was presented, I was hesitant because I have already spent so much time putting together my sites through the other applications. Still, I am always up for learning something new, so I gave it a try. It didn't take long before I was hooked! I found myself loving the seemingly limitless options to use with Google Sites in comparison to TeacherWeb. My one concern for sites such as these are that you don't have control over whether or not the site is backed up. When MySchoolOnline shut down after 11 years, I lost a website that had been built up to over 200 pages. The second time around with TeacherWeb, I have been more selective in what and how much I choose to display. I actually have more on my Google Site now than on TeacherWeb. My next step is to do a survey and poll the parents and students to see which site they find more user-friendly and informative. Personally, I prefer the look of my Google Site, but I also have to consider that I've already paid the yearly fee for my TeacherWeb site. It will be interesting to see the results of the survey and I look forward to sharing them as soon as they come in!
 * Reflection: **