Hangin' Out Google Style

Communicating with a global audience has never been easier with the plethora of social media tools at our disposal. One such tool is Google Hangouts. Google Hangouts is an instant messaging and video chat service that can be accessed via a computer or mobile device. One feature of Google Hangouts that is of particular use to educators is the sharing feature that allows users to share documents, images, YouTube videos, etc. This feature possesses great educational value for teachers because it allows educators to create and collaborate in real time on a variety of topics with their fellow colleagues worldwide.

How to Get Started:

The video tutorial below provides a complete overview of the key features of Google Hangouts. Thank you to Martin Shervington for sharing!

Teach-nology:

(the pedagogical rationale for the use of technology in the classroom)

Skill	Teach-nology
Use of Technology	Use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate, and communicate information. Use digital technologies,  communication/networking tools, and social networks appropriately to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information to successfully function in a content rich environment.
Communication	Listen effectively to decipher meaning, including knowledge, values, attitudes, and intentions. Use communication for a range of purposes (e.g., to inform, instruct, motivate, and persuade) and in diverse environments.
Collaboration	Develop, implement, and communicate new ideas to others effectively. Be open and responsive to new and diverse perspectives; incorporate group input and feedback into the work.

Sample Activities:

1. Professional development seminars, workshops, etc. are very empowering for teachers as Google Hangouts allow users to share ideas, resources, etc. in real time with an limitless network of colleagues worldwide. For example, educators can collaborate on an innovative teaching idea such as Genius Hour.

2. Students can connect with their peers to share and collaborate on any topic. For instance, students can share their perspective and opinions on a current events topic. Or they can work on a collaborative project or assignment with other student(s) from across the globe.

Connecting with others from around the world using Google Hangouts is educationally very rewarding. Click here to get started!

This post originally appeared on The De-tech-tive 4 Teachers.