Building a Digital Portfolio with Google Sites

Duration: 2 hours
Format: Zoom Live Lecture
Target Audience: Beginners, suitable for students, professionals, and creatives looking to showcase their work digitally.

Course Objectives:

• Learn how to create a professional digital portfolio using Google Sites.
• Understand how to structure and organize content for maximum impact.
• Customize and publish a digital portfolio that effectively highlights skills, projects, and experiences.

Outline

I. Introduction to Digital Portfolios

• What is a Digital Portfolio?
  • Definition and importance in showcasing work and skills.
  • Examples of effective portfolios for different professions (students, creatives, freelancers).
• Why Use Google Sites?
  • Free, user-friendly, and accessible.
  • No coding required.
  • Integration with other Google tools (Docs, Slides, Drive).

II. Getting Started with Google Sites

• Accessing Google Sites
  • Step-by-step guide to accessing Google Sites from your Google account.
  • Overview of Google Sites interface.
• Choosing a Template
  • Review of available templates and selecting the right one for your portfolio.
  • Pros and cons of using templates vs. building from scratch.

III. Structuring Your Digital Portfolio

• Deciding What to Include
  • How to choose what projects, skills, and experiences to showcase.
  • Key sections to consider: About Me, Projects/Work Samples, Resume, Contact Info.
• Creating Pages and Subpages
  • How to structure your portfolio using pages (e.g., Homepage, Work Samples, Testimonials).
  • Adding and organizing subpages for specific projects or categories.

IV. Adding and Customizing Content

• Inserting and Embedding Content
  • How to insert text, images, and videos.
  • Embedding documents, presentations, and other multimedia from Google Drive.
• Using Layouts and Sections
  • Structuring your content with pre-made layouts.
  • Adding grids, tables, and sections for a polished look.
• Customizing Design
  • Changing themes, fonts, and colors to align with your personal or professional brand.
  • Tips for maintaining consistency and readability.

V. Enhancing Your Portfolio with Additional Features

• Adding Links and Social Media Buttons
  • How to link to external websites, social media, or additional work samples.
• Using Forms and Interactive Elements
  • Integrating Google Forms for contact or feedback.
  • Adding interactive elements like testimonials or client feedback forms.

VI. Previewing and Publishing Your Portfolio

• Previewing Your Site
  • How to view your site as it will appear on different devices (desktop, tablet, mobile).
• Publishing Your Portfolio
  • Setting up the URL and making the site live.
  • How to control who can view your portfolio (public, private, or restricted access).

VII. Q&A and Live Demonstration

• Open floor for participant questions.
• Live demo of final steps in publishing and sharing a portfolio.
• Troubleshooting common issues and best practices.

Tech Tools:

• A Google account.
• Access to Google Drive (for storing documents, presentations, etc.).
• Prepared files or projects to include in the portfolio (optional, for hands-on practice).