BP6_RILS Google+ Hangouts on Air

The eventual goal is to produce a recording of a Google+ Hangouts on Air session.  During this first lesson, our objective is that every student is able to conduct a Google+ Hangout.  In order to demonstrate that has been accomplished, each student will produce a screenshot of the Hangout in session.

• The learning process will proceed through the following steps:
• Learners will log in to Google+ at plus.google.com.
• The instructor and the students will add each other into a circle.
• The students will join a hangout created by the instructor.
• The instructor will explain the features of Google+ Hangouts.
• This hangout will be ended.
• Each student will initiate their own Hangout.
• Students will take screenshots to document their accomplishment.

Here is an example of a screenshot of a hangout.  In this example, I set up two computers, a MacBook and a Chromebook, with different Google account.  Each computer showed a different perspective of me at my desk.

As I reflect on this process, I am confident that by using it, we can accomplish the goal of having every student be able to execute their own Google+ Hangout.  That said, I believe that I would add some pre-course video learning.  Google (and others) have produced high quality, effective instructional videos.  A well-curated selection of this learning material could be required viewing by each student before meeting as a group.

BP5_RILS Google+ Hangouts on Air

One of our principal objectives here at Madidi.info is to help connect local students, here in Rurrenabaque, to the global education community.  Technological advances now provide solutions for executing cross-cultural educational interactions online.  Google+ recently introduced Google+ Hangouts, which offers free video-conferencing for up to 10 people.  Since I regularly use many of the Google tools, I am very familiar with the Google interface and their way of thinking.   Therefore, Google+ Hangouts was the obvious choice for connecting classrooms on a global basic.  But would it really work?

In order to decide for myself whether Google+ Hangouts was the right solution for connecting globally, I tried it out for myself.   By setting up two computeres, a MacBook and a Chromebook, with different Google accounts, I was able to “hangout” between them.  This is my analysis of the features of Google+ Hangouts:

• Usability: The tool is extremely usable.  It is always clear how to move on to the next step, depending on what you want that to be.  It should be noted that the usability is significantly related to the quality of the Internet connection.  Hangouts is not particularly usable at low Internet connection speeds.
• Navigation:  In typical Google fashion, the navigation is clear and straightforward.  It seems more and more, Google navigation is getting more consistent throughout their online sites.
• Reliability: Google+ Hangouts is extremely reliable, if there is a reliable Internet connection with a high enough speed.  When the Internet connection is too slow, the tool is not functional.
• Content: The Hangouts website is rich in text and multimedia content that adequately prepares for proper use of the tool.
• Appropriate audience:  The audience that uses Hangouts is very appropriate, since they are tech-savvy, forward thinkers, often with some extra affinity to Google.
• Privacy options:  These are variable but can be set to be as private as appropriate.
• Cost: Free
• Support: The information-rich online support forums provide significant support for using the tool.  There seems to be an extensive community interested in helping each other make sure it works for them.

The learning experience was smooth and efficient, likely since I was so familiar with the Google interface.  It was also very helpful to set up two different computers with two different Google accounts.  This offered greater possibilities for troubleshooting tools and systems before trying with other people.