Google Hangouts: What we learned

Colleagues,

Thanks to Michele, Moira, Destiny, and Linda,  who joined us yesterday on the Google Hangout experiment. I am hoping that at least one of you, or someone else, will offer to host another Google Hangout for those here who want to try it out but couldn't make that one.

 I hope those who were there will join in and say what they learned. Here's what I learned:

1. Participants (up to 8 not including the host) must be invited using their gmail address or their Google Hangout (Google+) ID . [Oops -- I didn't figure that out until about an hour beforehand and I didn't have the gmail addresses of many of those who signed up.]

2. The clarity of image and quality of sound (for the five of us who made it) was quite good.

3. It took awhile to figure out how to do this, but we figured out how, using a special Hangout App that everyone must (easily and quickly) enable, to all watch the same YouTube video. We also figured out how anyone talk over it (So it would be possible to stop the video discuss it and resume watching.). However, Youtube videos could be a problem for those at sites where YouTube is blocked. For me, it means that for a group of up to nine of us, we could watch a professional development video (that is on YouTube) and discuss it in real time. (If you are wondering if there are any adult education professional development videos on YouTube, there are. In fact all the videos made by the Media Library of Teaching Skills (MLoTS) are there, as well as at http://mlots.org . Another interest I have in using Google Hangouts is as a possible way for a group of adult ed teachers (who teach the same subject and level) to look at and discuss instructional videos to be used by their learners. I think Hangouts have some potential for that, at least if the videos are on YouTube.

4. It is possible to enable people to work together on a Google document in a Hangout, although it looks like this would best be planned in advance as permissions need to be granted to access the Google Drive where the document resides.

So, what's next? More practice Hangouts, hosted by others? Using a Hangout to bring together a small group of people with a particular interest such as mobile learning with adult learners, teaching the new computer-based GED test items to students, discussing how to use Twitter, Evernote, Dropbox, Second Life, or other digital affordances for the purposes and goals of adult literacy/basic/ESOL education? Something else?

 

David J. Rosen

djrosen123@gmail.com

 

Comments

Thank you David for hosting the first LINCS Community Google Hangout!  I enjoyed the experience.

Two additional ways I would like to use the hangouts:

1. Consider hosting LINCS Community hangouts on a specific topic monthly for the first 10 people who show up each month. Have a different Community Group SME host it each month or have the Community Manager host it.  I enjoy meeting our members face-to-face!

2. Experimenting with using Google Hangouts on AIR to stream hangouts live and record them on YouTube as future resources.  For example, we are planning a webinar with Dr. Daryl Mellard and Dr. Charles "Skip"  MacArthur who will be discussing Dr. MacArthur's Making Sense of Decoding and Spelling: An Adult Reading Course of Study evidence-based course of study designed to teach adult learners to decode and spell words accurately and fluently.  Perhaps, we could use this free resource to stream the discussion and members who can view it that day could do so live. However, we could also record it for viewing those who can't to see it later.

I also learned about adding the YouTube app and being able to talk while watching a video during a Hangout--that was awesome! 

I am sure there is a whiteboard app--but I think we should explore that as well.

I appreciated the learning opportunity!

Michelle

 

 

 

 

 

Number one! Never use a new device when trying Google Hang Outs with others--I was using a Nexus 7 and had not explored using this device BEFORE the Hang Out---quite humbling. It was a good experience tho. I ended up with two computers running in the hangout to compare the difference in features. This was a bit unnerving as I was looking at myself in stereo, not sure which view was showing to others. Angles of the cameras make all the difference in the world. But I did find a good way to check the back of your head:)

The Nexus did not have the features such starting the Tool Box  and the apps for YouTube (I am investigating more) but my desktop was full featured. Take away from this is--Tablet good to watch and follow along but DO NOT try to host a meeting that requires sharing of screen.

Picture and sounds quality were good--did notice all other microphones need to be muted unless speaking. Sound quality decreased when several were on. One definitely needs a headset to be comfortable.

This tool has very good possibilities and needs to be explored. I think we need to see how it would preform on a SmartPhone so we could maybe use with students, it could be used at COABE to broadcast live to 9 locations for those who could not attend a session. The 9 available slots could actually go to 9 different programs--think of the coverage and all free!

One thing--strong suggestion--make one machine your setup (if you are going to host), know that machine well and practice!

I would love to host some sessions. I am available on Tuesday and Thursday. Not sure of the demand and my shedule is a bit unpredictable  but if you email we can figure something out...leckert@urhere.net . (Also I promise not to host with the tablet, tho that may be interesting to experiment with:)

It was a very good experience!

Thank you David for getting this concept rolling!

Looking forward to the next manifestation (I think I'm among the uninvited... my gmail is siouxgeonz@gmail.com ) 

Susan and others interested in trying out a Google Hangout: Linda Eckert is hosting the next one(s). She wrote, "I would love to host some sessions. I am available on Tuesday and Thursday. Not sure of the demand and my shedule is a bit unpredictable  but if you email we can figure something out...leckert@urhere.net . (Also I promise not to host with the tablet, tho that may be interesting to experiment with:)"

 

David J. Rosen

djrosen123@gmail.com

Hi All,

I'm chiming in a little late. Ditto to what both David and Michelle (and Lexus) have said about our Google Hangout experiment.

I would just add that for me it was great because of all the steps I had to take in order to get all parts working. David's written instructions (from Michelle)a week early were extremely helpful in doing things step by step since I am not that tech savvy. Through this experience, I feel like I've learned alot in terms of technology skills.

The gmail + was not difficult since I already had a gmail account, what was problematic, and needed a lot of troubleshooting was the set up of the camera and the microphone. I used my work computer which has no camera, so I brought an old one from home and installed it with the help of the tech people at work. But then there was the audio. I tried a handheld microphone I had from home - did not work, and then finally a headset. I agree with Lexus that this is probably the most comfortable way, but I'd also like to try it with video and audio on my Apple computer to see the difference.

Doing all of this in a low stakes situation was extremely helpful. I hope I can do it again since as we all know we've got to practice to get anything solidified and strengthened as far as learning.

Thanks to all.

Moira 

I am very familar with Google Hangouts. I would be more than happy to participate. I teach on Monday/Tuesday nights so Wednesday-Sunday work best for me.

Greetings all!

Looking at the comments I would say we need another Google Hangout! 

I have two dates open right now, both on a Tuesday--April 9 or 16 at 1 PM Eastern time...any takers?

Please comment to this thread and we can go from there. Everyone must have a Google email account, please email me the email address.

leckert@urhere.net

You will need a head set with microphone and web camera if you want to broadcast yourself(video). Otherwise a head set with microphone will do. 

Please email with questions!

See ya at the hangout!

 

 

Hi Linda,

I'm not sure exactly.  My background is in adult and workplace learning and I currently teach at the University of Calgary and the University of Manitoba, most of which is online.  I am thinking there might be several different applications, but I'm really more interested in getting a feeling and an understanding for it at this point.  

Jacqueline

 

Althought not a part of your trial I was able to use Hangout inside of an open experiment where all parties were able to learn: I worked with 2 counties in Kentucky that are seperated by an hour's drive. Mary Mingle was nice enough to join from Pennsylvania.  Mary, if you're listening, please chime in.

David, I agree with your list. I will add to #1, you can invite any e-mail address and that person can make a google profile from that address. Therefore I have a Google+ and Google Drive account associated with my KET address, and I am able to invite educators from other counties using their e-mail addresses. As has been discussed in other venues the benefit in doing this is that one is able to segment their professional and personal life.

In the trainings I did use Google Docs with the group, and I did have to set the permissions for the document. From having people set into a group I was able to easily share documents, In the future I am going to build a Google Form that will quickly batch enroll groups. I was further able to make break out groups and have their work linked to the page allowing groups to access common workspace via hyperlink - this allows particpants to have small group discussion and reporting with google being their common hangout space.

As for using Hangout on a mobile device, I have used it on my phone. Using it on the phone I was one of 10 faces that were part of the discussion. I did not try and use my Google Doc with the Hangout, but would be interested in trying it in the future.

Thinking of best practices I think to 1) invite your group with an explanation of how to join Google+ and accept the invitation, 2) Pre-build Google Drive workspace for students - one can even use the space as a flipped classroom model, and 3) be explicit as to what customazation is needed to the group, i.e. if you want everyone to have the YouTube or Google Doc Widget let them know.

Beyond this I am investigating use of "Share my Screen" in distance education, specifically in regards to sharing my iPad's mirrored screen with iPad training.

All in all I think this is an exciting platform for training. I will be using the On-Air feature in the future to record and share sessions as well as to let outsiders participate live via chat windows with a moderator.

*Criticism* or self learning -  in my training I have no control of local provider networks. One of the counties I was working with had an issue where their coverage would freeze, break off, and rejoin in 3 to 5 second cycles. If the site were to have more stable connection it would have been more succesful. Further, for the time being I will make my sessions 1.5 hours: 30 minutes to get everyone on the same page with technology, and then 1 hour of presentation. Lastly, I am giving live, direct training to a local knowledge source in person - then use that person to initiate session between Hangout learning groups.

Hopefully I can make one of your sandbox sessions!

Barry BurkettInstructional Technology ConsultantKentucky Educaitonal Televisionblogs.ket.org/techteaching 

Hi Linda and all

I can make the 16th at 1 PM, but I will need to leave at 1:45 at the latest.  I know spaces are limited; if there is someone else on the "wait list" I am happy to give up my spot.  Otherwise, I'm on for the 16th at 1 PM. Thank you so much for organizing this for us.  Susan

My gmail is susangaer@gmail.com

If I can't be in this group, I will understand. The ones I have participated in had five people video chatting and then everyone else used text chat and just added to the conversation. It worked very well.

Hello All. I am joining this discussion at the tail end although I've been following for a while. I just checked out some Google descriptions about the Hangout in order to conduct a demo for a potential client. I'd love to participate in the next, or next after that, experimental Hangout to practice and see how everything works. Do you need an actual gmail email account or is the email account you use for your Google account sufficient? I have a Google account using my hotmail address which is heather.claussen@hotmail.com. Thanks and this is such an awesome experiment and discussion! I really look forward to trying it out.

While I am sure that other members of this group (like myself) are interested in sharing, I'm wondering if using this forum to arrange schedules and swap emails should be found here. Wouldn't it make more sense to have that conversation using email and save this space for sharing date/time and agenda BEFORE the meeting and perhaps a summary of the meeting AFTER?

David could create and share a Google Group email list and, as people were interested in joining a Group session, add them to the mailing list.

What would be most useful on this LINCS site would be the URLs for Google docs minutes and additional materials of interest. Just a suggestion for consideration.

All arrangements and inquuiries should be sent to Linda Eckert at leckert@urhere.net.

Please use your google account to respond.

I will try to host a meeting each month, generally on Thursday at 1:00 pm Eastern time.

If another date is more convenient and I am available I am open to hosting moe hangoputs so everyone can expereinece this free resource.

Please do not respond to the LINCS Community. 

Questions please email me!

So I am wondering how the last hangout went?  Was the experience helpful to you all?  I am wondering if they would be a way for the LINCS Community to host mini Professional Learning topics and discussions that start online and then continue with a face-to-face component for a small group and then back online.

What do you all think?