Communications

Differentiate Your Discussions with Hangouts


Google+ Hangouts is an amazing method for you or your whole class to collaborate and communicate in any subject and for anything. It’s all about content, creativity, engagement, and of course, being a Google for Education school (and having G+ available). If your school is K-8, students CANNOT have G+ accounts (13 or older) but teachers have the ability to utilize their teacher Google account (instead of signing up for Skype, Apple, Ustream…) and connect your class to do amazing and differentiate their discussions. High schools and colleges it’s open for any users (as long as G+ is available). 



2 Types:



Google Hangout: instant message style chat or video broadcast chat with up to 15 people (GAFE) at the same time. Incorporate screen sharing, remote desktop connecting, working on a Google Drive file, watch a YouTube video, and much more. View more



Google Hangout On Air: video broadcast chat with up to 15 people (GAFE) at the same time. Incorporate screen sharing, remote desktop connecting, working on a Google Drive file, watch a YouTube video, and much more. Also is live streamed to whomever has the video link, saved in your YouTube account, and allows the opportunity to moderate the video conference. View moreWorks on any device via Google + or get the app for

If you don’t feel comfortable being part of a hangout, you still are in luck! There are virtual field trip resources such as Google Connected Classrooms where your student can watch a live broadcast and chat questions (and get answers) to the hosts of the event. If your class missed the live hangout, no worries you can re-watch the video at anytime. 
 
 
If you use Google + communities like Google Hangouts in Education and Hangouts On Air are two great resources of finding upcoming events for you as a professional, find out upcoming events, or connect with someone to schedule a hangout.
 

Classroom Integration:

  • Video broadcasting projects, collaborate with classes in your school, district, state, world learning about different cultures, virtual pen pals, video debates, learning about careers, really anything.
  • Take your students on virtual field trips anywhere at anytime.
  • Differentiate a discussion with a hangout to get students more engaged in a subject.
  • Use it as a method for classroom management or positive reinforcement.
  • Differentiate how you meet as a teaching team/department/PLN.
  • Summer meetings, or virtual PD
  • Stream school events (graduation, sports, concerts, spelling bee, etc)
  • So much you can do!

 

 
 
 

Published by

Eric Hansen