Creating Websites Easily

I've had a few teachers come in and ask me about what tools to use to create a website for their class.

There are two sites that I've used regularly to do this: Weebly and Google Sites.  Weebly is easier to use if you're a beginner in website creation (I had 5-8 graders use it that successfully created website portfolios). Weebly uses a drag and drop interface, so if you want a picture or text you drag a box down and then insert your content.  It's very simple, but doesn't have quite as many options as Google Sites does.

My favorite thing about Google Sites is that all things Google can be inserted: calendars, documents, slideshows, and forms (quizzes).  Since they're all Google, they all work together very nicely.  Google Sites is a bit more complicated, but still isn't hard.  Google Sites also gives you a bit more room to "do your own thing" whereas Weebly you have to drag and drop their pre-formated objects.

Here's a quick video about Weebly:



And here's a basic tutorial on Google Sites:



Other options for website creation would include: Kafafa, Webs, & SchoolRack (among millions of others!).