Create a website to tutor students by posting lesson plans, instructions, handouts and even include a free live chat component to interact with students live, on a regular basis. Setting up an easy-to-use web template to post lessons does not require technical know-how, and the rewards for both you as the teacher as well as your students will become apparent once their test scores improve and a non-intimidating line of communication opens.

Set Up the Google Sites Template

Go to the Google Sites website (see References in this article). Click the "Create Site" button. Browse through the gallery for templates for your site. Consider templates such as "Classroom Site " or choose the "Blank" template.

Type a name for your site in the blank field; this becomes part of the website name. Choose a theme from the options available if you selected the "Blank" template. Type a description for your site. Choose "More Options" and select who to share your site with: either "Everyone in the World" or "Only People I specify." Type the security code in and click the "Create site" button. Wait while the site is being created.

Click on your website's name under "My Sites" to open your new website. Click the "Edit Page" button at the top of the page to add graphics and text to the homepage.

Click "Insert" and then "Image" from the edit menu at the top of the page to add images from your computer. Go the location on your computer and double-click the image that you want to upload and click the "Save" button.

Begin typing a title and information in the empty text fields and choose the "Save" button at the top of the page.

Insert additional pages by clicking the "Create Page" button at the top of the page. Choose from "Web Page" or "Announcements" and click "Create Page" at the bottom of the page. Edit the page and save it by repeating the steps above.

Choose "Manage Site" from the top of the page to change the appearance, theme or other site settings.

Add a Live Chat Gadget

Find a website that offers a free live chat for websites (see References in this article). Download the software to your computer's desktop. Open the software and find the piece of HTML code that you need to add to your website that will create a link to the live chat component.

Open "Notepad" by clicking "Start" and then "Programs" from the menu. Choose "Accessories" and then open "Notepad."

Copy the basic gadget code into a blank document: rnrn rn rn

Copy and paste your live chat code into the basic gadget code to replace the "Add your Live Chat html code here" text. Save the file as a text document with the name "livechat.xml" to your computer.

Go to your Google classroom site. Insert a live chat page by clicking the "Create Page" button at the top of the page. Choose "Web Page," then click the "Create Page" button.

Click "Insert" and then "More Gadgets" from the list. Choose your "livechat.xml" gadget from your computer and click "Upload."

Insert text into the live chat page that tells your students when you are available for live chat. Save the live chat page.

Test your live chat component by following the instructions in the software.