Google Plus

3. What is Google+?

Google + provides similar features as those of other social networking sites we might already use such as Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. Those features are circles, hangouts, instant upload, games, messenger, and search.

In Google, a “circle” is a group of people whether it be friends, colleagues, or students. From your “circles” page, you can drag and drop contacts into each of these groups, which make it easier to share what you want with certain groups.

A Google “hangout” is a video chat interface that allows you to collaborate, conduct meetings, and talk to your other friends, family, colleagues, and students. They are virtual rooms where you can video chat with people in your Google circles.

Getting Started

So, how do one go about getting Google +? First, you have to open a Gmail account. Then, you will see a toolbar on the top left corner of your screen with a + sign.

Google Plus & Education – How Does It Fit?

The Faculty Instructional Technologists (FITs) have been using Google + for over six months now to conduct our weekly meetings. So far, it has worked out really well and it’s also given me a few initial thoughts on how Google + might be worthwhile for educational purposes:

1. Privacy. The Circles feature allow faculty to make certain information available to one another without the fear of appearing “too public”. For many faculty, the Circles feature is a good way to teach students about social media, privacy, and protection.

2. Hangouts. Hangouts in Google + could be the new Online Face-to-Face Office Hours. Finding time to meet with students, especially adult learners who are overscheduled can be challenging. Google+ Hangouts allow faculty and student to video chat from the comfort of their home without worrying about scheduling conflict or incriminating weather condition. Plus, it also saves traveling time! I can also imagine a Faculty member facilitating a study group on Google + every other Wednesday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Students could also do peer review or Hangout together on their own to work on group projects. Having tried video chats such as Skype and Elluminate, Google + is rather intuitive, the interface seems to work rather seamlessly, and what’s more, it does not require any downloads to the computer, which is another plus!

3. YouTube. Google Plus just recently integrated YouTube! Now you can share videos with colleagues, students, friends, and family in one place. This is another feature that sets Google Plus apart from other current tools. Now, your colleagues, students, friends, and family members’ video postings will show up on your YouTube home page as recommendations.

4. What’s Hot. The latest addition is the What’s Hot button on the left hand side. When you click on it, it will show you a list of the most popular posts on Google+. You can find what others are viewing, sharing, or talking about!

For more information on its usage:

Google + Hangouts: 6 Practical Uses for Online Education – in brief, if sharing, collaborating, hearing, and seeing with your online students can engage them more in the learning process, then Google + could be a great tool for you to use.

UNL Professor uses Google Plus to hangout with students – Professor Kohen use Google + to teach students remotely over the summer and for Office/Coffee Hours with students.

18 Ways Teachers Can Use Google + Hangouts

If you would like advice, assistance, or a demo, please feel free to contact the FIT at your Center.