Creating a Custom Page Template in Google Sites

You can skip this topic if you are using the default value, Web Page, for the Page template option. If you wish to use a custom page template with the Google Sites Connector, you must first create the template in Google Sites.

There are several ways to create a custom page template in Google Sites. Whichever way you use, you must enter the [pencast] tag in the template at the location where you want the Pencast to be inserted. During configuration of the Google Sites Connector, enter that template name in the text box that appears when you select Custom Template for the Page template option. When you use the Google Sites Connector to send notes and audio, it will create a page using the template you specify, replacing the [pencast] tag with a Pencast of those notes and audio. Additionally, the Connector uploads a Pencast player to your site to seamlessly display the Pencast for your users.
  1. Using your web browser, go to Google Sites and view the site where you wish your notes and audio to be sent.
  2. Click the More action button and then select Manage site.
  3. Click Page Templates in the left-hand sidebar.
  4. Click the Create page template button.
  5. Under Start with, select the template that is closest to the layout you desire. Enter a name for the new template in the Name field, and click the Create template button. Google Sites creates a new template and displays it in edit mode.
  6. Modify the layout of the new page, if desired. Text, images, objects, apps, and gadgets in the template will appear in pages that are created from the template.
  7. Find a location in the template where you want your notes and audio to be inserted, and type: [pencast]

    You can enter the [pencast] tag multiple times in the template. The Google Sites Connector will replace each occurrence of [pencast] with the Pencast of the notes and audio you are sending.

    Note: The [pencast] tag has several optional attributes that control display characteristics of the Pencast on the page. See Pencast Tag Attributes.
  8. Click the Save button to exit template edit mode. Google Sites displays the template in view mode.
  9. Verify that your template has been created: Click View template listing in the upper left-hand corner. Under User Created Templates, find your new template.

    Make a note of the template name, since you will need it during Google Sites Connector configuration. See Configuring the Google Sites Connector.

  10. Click Return to site.
Parent topic: Sending to Google Sites