TL;DR / BLUF

If you need to host a course or training series without using an LMS, Google Sites can handle more than you might expect.

I built a self-paced, project-based Technical Communication course entirely in Google Sites using Google Docs and Sheets. It’s a fully searchable, auto-updating course structure that runs without an LMS.

The full layout is live here → View the Google Sites course layout

Each assignment is managed from a single spreadsheet that updates the embedded docs automatically using a script, providing a lightweight alternative to traditional LMS builds.

Overview

I designed a project-based Technical Communication course in Google Sites to give learners ideas for practical, portfolio-ready projects while keeping the build lean and maintainable. Each assignment stands on its own and follows a repeatable structure, allowing learners to focus on building skills and producing artifacts rather than navigating a complex system. 

This approach reflects an MVP instructional design process, leaning on ADDIE for structure while borrowing SAM-style iteration to keep development lightweight.

Analysis (Audience & Context)

When I sketched out the course, I knew my audience wasn’t a single type of learner. Some were undergrads looking for an internship, others were professionals making a career shift, and a few just wanted to sharpen existing skills. That mix meant I had to design with flexibility first.

There were also some non-negotiable constraints. I didn’t have an LMS to lean on, just Google Sites, Docs, and Sheets. Learners would be working through the material independently without instructor support. So every assignment had to be crystal clear and consistent enough that students wouldn’t get tripped up by the format.

Design (Structure & Scaffolding)

To make that happen, I built each assignment on a repeatable template. Every project included an overview, a “why this matters” note, a time estimate, a few targeted readings, clear steps, and a portfolio-ready deliverable. I added reflection prompts and portfolio tips to keep learners thinking about how their work connects to the workplace. And for anyone who wanted more, I tagged on a stretch goal at the end.

It wasn’t a perfect instructional design cycle, but it gave me structure without weighing the course down. ADDIE helped me think through objectives and scaffolding, while the modular setup left room for SAM-style iteration.

Development (Tools & Build)

• Google Sites: Delivery platform.
• Google Docs: Assignment briefs, embedded on each page.
• Google Sheets + AI automation: Scripted process to generate and update Docs automatically, reducing maintenance load.

This phase prioritized rapid prototyping and sustainability (hallmarks of SAM) over polished multimedia production.

Automation & Maintenance

Every assignment brief originates in one Google Sheet, which populates its corresponding Google Doc automatically using a script in the Sheet. Learn how I automated this setup in Automating Structured Documents in Google Sheets and Docs​

In a traditional LMS or CMS, content edits are siloed. You can’t easily search or update every assignment at once. In this setup, every assignment lives in a single spreadsheet, making it fully searchable and editable in bulk.

Each Google Doc also keeps its own version history, so I can review or restore earlier drafts if needed.

Because all content lives in structured columns like Overview, Why It Matters, Steps, Deliverables, Reflection, and so on, I can instantly:

• Search or filter for any concept (like “reflection” or “portfolio”).

• Audit where certain skills or themes appear across the course.

• Update phrasing or examples once and push changes everywhere.

In Canvas or WordPress, even small edits like changing a reflection prompt or updating a resource link can mean opening 20 pages one by one. In this setup, I edit cells in the Sheet, run the script, and every linked assignment updates automatically.

By managing assignments as structured data instead of static pages, I can treat the entire course like a living dataset rather than a collection of files.

Implementation (Delivery & Trade-offs)

The course is hosted on Google Sites with embedded Google Docs for easy updates. A trade-off is that Sites only previews the first page of a Doc; learners need to click through to view the full brief.

This was a conscious MVP decision: prioritize accessibility and speed to launch over a perfect user experience.

Evaluation (Next Iterations)

The structure is ready for learners, but future iterations will focus on evaluation:

• Using built-in reflections as feedback loops.
• Reviewing portfolios for skill progression across modules.
• Gathering learner input on usability and clarity.
• Iterating on assignment briefs where friction emerges.

This maps to the Evaluation stage of ADDIE, acknowledged in design and planned for rollout.

Outcome

The result is a self-directed, project-based course that connects directly to workplace skills and produces tangible portfolio artifacts. Even in its MVP state, the design demonstrates how ID principles can scale to lean builds.

What I’d Do Differently

If I were to expand or refine this course, I would:

• Break longer Docs into smaller chunks for better previewing.
• Add lightweight formative checks (polls, quizzes).
• Introduce multimodal support (short videos, walkthroughs).
• Build a formal evaluation into early iterations.

What Success Looks Like

• Learners produce artifacts after each assignment.
• Portfolios showing progression across modules.
• Engagement without heavy instructor oversight.
• A flexible, modular framework that could scale to other contexts.

Try It Yourself

Get the full Course Site Demo Kit through the free tools link below. It’s emailed to you so you can keep the access link for future updates. Includes the Sheet, template Doc, Hub Doc, and a sample Google Site with a Read Me and walkthrough video.