Tools
The final development for my IBC News project wiki proved to be simpler than expected. The site was created simply by accessing Googlesites with a web browser. It was quite well equipped to produce all of the results specified in the design. It easily allowed page creation with a variety of templates, as well as the insertion of links, files, and media. Googlesites appearance feature allowed for a custom look and banner. Perhaps one of the most useful features was the capability to purchase and administer a domain name in association with Googlesites. For this project www.explorecomputers.net was linked to the site, and the capability to securely manage up to 200 users will allow for a streamlined project experience. At present, one student account is set up as falcon1, with a password of falcon. Extra users can even be uploaded using a CSV file created in Microsoft Excel, which is a significant time-saving tool. In regard to users uploading users, the CSV file can be created using Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice, or Googledocs.
Customizations
Some of the Googlesite customizations that were utilized by inserting template pages. This allowed for pages that had built-in file managers, blog-style capability, list organizers, and video galleries. The video galleries drew from videos on Google Video and YouTube. Furthermore, a live news feed on Google News is being pulled on the resources page which allows students to draw upon current information right on the blog. This was an added feature that seems useful. Another customization, as mentioned above, is the purchase of the domain name in association with the site. This site name allows for a much easier administration. Student users are not only assigned a name, but a unique email address, a calendar, access to GoogleDocs, and all the Google Account features. These are all able to be revoked or deleted when students not longer need access to the IBC News site.
Results
In the end, the results of the pilot Googlesite are consistent with the design expectations. Several features, such as ease of use, even exceed expectations. The IBC News site is ready to be used with a live group of students and all that needs to be done is to enter in user names.
However, as with any large project, many factors are involved and problems with certainly arise. An area to keep watch on are the district restrictions on various URL’s. Student access is limited to YouTube, but they are allowed access to GoogleVideo. With their Google account, students “should” be able to upload their own projects to Google videos and share them privately with the IBC news sites. Time will tell which aspects of the IBC News site need adjusting, but for now it is ready to be piloted by a group of students.
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