Let's talk about Hangouts and On Air Hangouts

As if Hangout's aren't a learning curve in and of themself, On Air is another beast altogether. 

If you would like to see the video(s) I am referencing feel free to go to my YouTube page, http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuSSjQbLsyZWe9Kg4XWoSVQ.  Once on the page look for the programs, "Twitter in AE Classroom," and, "Twitter in the AE Classroom, deux pointe null."

"Barry, why are you confusing people with two separate videos?" You may ask. The answer is because my computer crapped out and gave me the blue screen of death 4 minutes into Nell Eckersley speaking on use of Twitter in AE.

Here is what I was expecting to happen: because I initiated and invited everyone to the hangout I would have control of the Hangout, i.g., what I chose to put on my screen would be shown to audience at large.  This would be beneficial because Hangouts uses "apps" that allow you to share items like Youtube videos and Google Docs. 

Unfortunately that is not the case. To highlight that point in Deux pointe null there is a 5 minute period where you can watch Nell, Audrey, Missy and myself watch a video - you are not watching the video because it did not share over (even though we are all watching it) - you are watching us watching a video. Awesome. 

Similarly, there were points I was using the Google Drive App in Hangout to open the document and write on it whil people were talking. I wanted it to be seen by the general audience - I thought it would be an interesting to highlight what people were saying, but that document did not show up to the general viewing audience.

In future itereations I will use the "Screen Share" app to share over videos, documents, etc that I want viewers to be able to see.  Also, I thought there would be an easy way to see people's comments on the discussion and there really isn't. Adding to the inconvenience there is a 40 sec. lag between what you see and when it is delivered - so if someone makes a comment it comes 40 seconds after the speakers have talked about the issue.

Also, for some reason I started immitating Japanese broadcasters who grunt agreement as guests are speaking and it through off those talking. In the future I will be attentive in my seat and not impede on what others were saying.

Beyond this I think the discussion went well. I am in the process of making the 2 videos 1, and adding in resources like the primary document, links, external videos, etc.

Nell, I'd be interested in hearing your expereinces as a guest. And if any of you would like to watch the videos and add your 2 cents it would be much appreciated. The total time of the video is ~50 minutes.  Here is the link to the primary document https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UdW1Tmoh_Z5mXMMnbOn7XF0gwCXQ25kTVHr-9arOvSs/edit?usp=sharing