So for my power point presentation I had Google (it's everywhere) Hangouts... Hanging Out Go ahead take a moment to enjoy the presentation, I'll just wait here... Twiddling my thumbs... (time passes) Wow! I had time to watch Lord of the Rings - extra freakin' long edition.
In simplest terms Google Hangouts is a virtual meeting room. I have personally used it to play an rpg (role-playing game) with some people in other states. It's superior to our previous game app (Skype) because none of us are in the same location. Skype had some video limitations with multiple users. Hangouts is much more robust. It allows for real-time communications and pictures. Once I started digging into the educational uses i was bombarded with a plethora of interesting articles to explore. Google has a whole line of "Eduoinars" (rant for a minute. I want to talk about making up words. As an English major I have an issue, okay volumes, of annoyance with just 'slapping' 2 words together to make a "new" word. Just because you can spell it, define it and use it in a sentence - a word you don not have - I'd like to thank Yoda for the last bit on this May the 4th be with you. end rant) designed to educate educators about using the hangouts and it's other Web 2.0 apps. I went through a couple and they all seemed good. The link is in my power point. I see hangouts as a real boon to group work, both long-term and short-term, and as potential way to overcome snow days and other acts of nature that affect teaching time.
I really like what were using right here and now - Blogger - I know, I know I'm shill for Google. This one is really simple and kind of daily writing assignment can be viewed and graded without lugging around dozens and dozens of notebooks. Assuming you have computer access in your classroom, you could give quizzes or daily assignments without killing trees or braking your back carrying them around. I really like the idea of just having them write some everyday... that's how you get better.
Let's see if i can find another Google app to love... Google Docs (surprised?!). I've used this some too. In years past I demonstrated games for game companies at GenCon (game geek Christmas) a yearly convention held in Indianapolis, IN. A few times I was passed my demo papers via google-docs. Where we would collaborate on the adventure to weed out errors, problems and stuff that wasn't fun. It's very easy to use and edit work as a group. If your school doesn't have a joule like (ONU) google docs presents a free way to allow students to submit work electronically. I'll say it again anything that cuts down on paper and the subsequent carrying of that paper is good!
So you have to download the power point from the joule site, if I did this right....
Okay I sent all of you links to my google docs website were the first item is my power point, 05/05/14 at 7:11 pm
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew!
I also am a lover of google! Besides its other attributes I feel like it is the best search engine-bing may be trying but I'll always go to google! I have never personally used google hangouts but I feel like it would def be beneficial in the classroom. I loved how in your powerpoint you explained how mother nature would no longer interfere with teaching. No more snow days means the kids will actually get a summer break! I also liked how you explained that you can access google hangouts from your phone. This is perfect for busy students on the go as well as students who do not have a computer at home but may still have a phone with internet. I am glad that I got to learn more about this web 2.0 because I feel like I will def use it in the future! Great job!
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Google is just full of awesome little tools. I've never used Google Hangouts before either so this was new for me. It sounds like it might also be useful for older students working on group projects. They could discuss and work together without actually having to meet in one place. The snow day idea is great too.
ReplyDeleteI love the collaboration aspect of Google Docs. It used to be impossible to share a file and have multiple authors make simultaneous changes. Not anymore... It's also a great resource for teachers because it's so easy to share information with parents and students. Lost a worksheet? No problem. Want to review the lecture slides before a test? Go right ahead.
I'm a big fan of web-based file storage and applications. With so many people having multiple devices these days, it makes switching back and forth really simple. It also eliminates the gap when it comes to software in many cases. Web-based applications are generally very inexpensive (or even free).