Do you have a list of favorite web tools? Google Hangouts is definitely near the top of my list! You don’t need to be in a one-to-one classroom to use this fantastic tool. Even teachers with simple setups can use Google Hangouts to video conference.
Google Hangouts let users set up a video call for two people or up to ten people. In a classroom you can access Google Hangouts with a Google-hosted school account or personal Gmail account. Teachers can set up a video call and send the invitation to whoever they want to join a conversation.
4 Reasons I Love Google Hangouts
- Virtual guest speakers are a click away With Google Hangouts you can connect to anyone with a web-enabled device and an Internet connection. This tool makes it easy to bring a guest speaker to your classroom. A favorite children’s book author, a zookeeper from across the country, or a classroom full of students two time zones away… you name it!
- You can save it for later The Hangouts on Air feature lets users record their Google Hangout sessions. This is perfect for office hours not all students can attend or a time when you demonstrate how-to do something and students request to review the tape.
- There are so many extras In a Google Hangout you can decide on which extras to take advantage of during the call. This could include sharing your screen or adding name tags at the bottom to identify each caller. One feature that has come in handy is the ability to draw on the screen – perfect for explaining a concept when there isn’t a whiteboard behind you.
- It’s totally free There is no cost associated with Google Hangouts. All you have to do is log in to a free Gmail account or your school’s Google-hosted email.
Have you used Google Hangout in your classroom? Share your experiences below!
