There are many different reasons for including Google+ Hangouts in your teaching and learning. Hundreds of teachers and education specialists create Hangouts of presentations and professional development and share them for you to use when convenient. You can connect with classrooms around the world so students can communicate and collaborate with others from different cultures and languages. If students are out of class, you can record lectures or discussions to help them catch up quickly. Students can also collaborate with each other outside of school. There are so many great ways to use Google Hangouts and so many features, it is impossible to describe them all. Use the following resources to help you learn more.
Accounts
Hangouts use your Google+ account, so you have to be sure to create your account. See the Google+ presentation from earlier this year to learn more. In addition to your Google+ account, you will need a YouTube channel if you want to archive your videos or use Hangouts on Air. Learn about creating a YouTube channel here. Google+ and YouTube accounts are limited to people ages 13 and up. Students under 13 can participate in a Hangout with their class using a teacher's account or they can watch archived YouTube Hangouts.
Starting a Hangout
From your Google+ page, click on the quotation marks to open the Hangouts sidebar. After you have participated in some Hangouts, a Hangout history will be displayed in this sidebar.
Click on New Hangout. Begin typing in the Google Apps address(es) of the individuals you wish to invite to the Hangout. As you type each address, the participant's picture will appear. Click the check box next to their name to add them to the list of invitees.
Click on New Hangout. Begin typing in the Google Apps address(es) of the individuals you wish to invite to the Hangout. As you type each address, the participant's picture will appear. Click the check box next to their name to add them to the list of invitees.
Joining a Hangout
If you have a Hangout organized with another class or a colleague, keep your Gmail or Google+ page open. A little pop up will notify you when the person is contacting you. Click on the Answer button or Join Video call button to connect.
Best Classroom Practices
When using Google Hangouts with the whole class, do not ask each student to connect with his/her personal device. Streaming video for a large number of students will create lags in the wireless network and will be very frustrating. Instead, set up one computer connected to a projector and speakers at the front of the room. Students may need to squeeze together to be visible to the other participants, but you will have better video and audio quality.
When your class is not speaking, mute the microphone on your computer (see image). It will make the audio quality of everyone's experience better. When a student from your class is finished speaking, make sure it is clear he or she is finished by saying "thank you" or asking a question directly to another participant. Assign leaders for each classroom to keep the discussion on track and help everyone participate.
For students older than 13 who have access to Google+ and Hangouts, discuss how this is a great tool for school. They can collaborate at home, share their screens to help each other solve technical problems, and socialize. Caution them that it can also be abused though. Bullying, hazing, and excluding others are not respectful ways to use Hangouts and will not be tolerated in or out of school. Connecting with strangers outside of the ASFG community can also be dangerous. Discuss strategies for staying safe with students who access Hangouts.
When your class is not speaking, mute the microphone on your computer (see image). It will make the audio quality of everyone's experience better. When a student from your class is finished speaking, make sure it is clear he or she is finished by saying "thank you" or asking a question directly to another participant. Assign leaders for each classroom to keep the discussion on track and help everyone participate.
For students older than 13 who have access to Google+ and Hangouts, discuss how this is a great tool for school. They can collaborate at home, share their screens to help each other solve technical problems, and socialize. Caution them that it can also be abused though. Bullying, hazing, and excluding others are not respectful ways to use Hangouts and will not be tolerated in or out of school. Connecting with strangers outside of the ASFG community can also be dangerous. Discuss strategies for staying safe with students who access Hangouts.
Resources
Join the Google+ Community Hangouts in Education to connect with classrooms worldwide, ask questions and receive expert advice from teachers using Hangouts.
The Google+ Community Mystery Hangouts for Schools is where teachers meet to organize Hangouts in which students must guess the others' location.
Hangouts on Air allow you to record a Hangout as a YouTube video and share it with specific people or the world.
Find more resources on the Lee's Summit School District Hangouts Guide for Teachers page.
Making the most out of Hangouts in education Edutopia article.
The Google+ Community Mystery Hangouts for Schools is where teachers meet to organize Hangouts in which students must guess the others' location.
Hangouts on Air allow you to record a Hangout as a YouTube video and share it with specific people or the world.
Find more resources on the Lee's Summit School District Hangouts Guide for Teachers page.
Making the most out of Hangouts in education Edutopia article.