My Google Hangout experience.
I
quickly felt affinity and camaraderie when using Hangout to hangout with Belal
and Jennifer Hsiao. We had no significant technical issues, and were quickly able to
discuss or given topic. In addition to reaching consensus that blended learning
is the most practical (for example, Belal teaches elementary age kids, and
Jennifer says some of her college groups are not necessarily comfortable with
technology), for all of our situations access to online content and
participation is a necessary part of the learning experience.
From Jennifer, I learned that she is able to successfully use
Facebook to create closed groups for classes, so that students can easily
communicate in a form already familiar to them, and to pose pre and post class
questions. From Belal who seems conversant in many online and software tools, I
was able to get simple pointers regarding Voicethread, Articulate Storyteller,
and also suggestions for Wordpress plugins to allow students to make simple
voice recordings within a Wordpress blog.
In addition to this collegial meeting, I was able to experience
the utility of "Hangout" as being very practical to meet with my own
students for conversation, or to have them meet in small groups to do the same.
In summary, I found this Google experience and the interaction with Jennifer
and Belal to be a big +.
Oh yes, the special effects funny hats and masks …
