4/8/19 Video Conferencing via Google Meet

Google Meet (Hangouts)

@TheMrKim/@LisaBerghoff

Considering the impressive list of things I miss about the '90s, I feel oddly nostalgic about online AOL chatrooms. I can still hear that weird, metallic sound of my 56k dialup modem connecting me to the early proto-form of the internet and chatting with all of my Counterstrike buddies. Anyway... the future is here and that future is Video Conferencing. With Facetime, SnapChat, and Instagram vying for digital turf, students are becoming more and more comfortable with online video communications. How can we build upon that comfort in our classes? Google Meet, the new face of Hangouts, can be a comfortable place where we can give instruction, and collaborate in real time. OK, so when would we use it?

Guest Speakers

Last year Hilary Quagliana invited the former US Ambassador to Sweden to her AP Government class, and through Hangouts, the ambassador was able to speak, show a slide deck and YouTube video, and have a Q&A. Your school's tech department is more than happy to help by supporting your event with speakers/mics/etc.

Snowmaggedon and the Polar Vortex

While I'm not saying we need to subject our students to a full day's worth of instruction by porting it online, we could meet our students online to field questions or verbally explain instructions. It was hard to offer this suggestion 5 years ago because not every student had access to the internet or a computer. Smartphones today have seemingly solved the issue of access. 

Review Sessions/Student Collaboration

Back when I was at an iPad district, I used an app called Talkboard to hold evening study sessions for students who couldn't meet after school due to sports or activities. I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing with students from the comfort of my own room (although I didn't have a wife, a baby, or two dogs then). Your students could also hold meets to collaborate on projects. 

So how does it work?

• First, go to meet.google.com where you'll be greeted by a very simplistic menu with two options. You can either start a brand new meeting or join one using a code.

• By starting a meeting you will be given the options to mute your mic and turn off your camera (you can switch these anytime). You are also given the "joining info" so others can join your meeting.

There are three ways for someone to join your meeting. 

• First, you can either copy the meeting URL, or give them the "Meeting Code" which is the string of letters at the end of the URL. In this case, it would be "oeo-muco-cfe." (hyphens aren't needed when typing your code)

• Second, individuals can call in through their cellphones by dialing the number, and entering the given PIN number (callers won't have the video option). 

• The last option requires the meeting to be scheduled via Google Calendar. Participants can join directly from their Calendar invite. 

During the Video Conference

Once you begin the meeting there are a few things to keep in mind

• You can easily mute your volume, as well as turn off your camera at the bottom of your video.

• You can also mute the volume of one of your participants by toggling their mic button at the top right corner.

• There is also an in-conference chat window.

Presenting Powerpoint/Slides or YouTube videos

Another cool option is to present a slide deck to everyone in your video conference and run through the slides in real time. Just click on the "present now" button and you will be given two options:

• Your Entire Screen: your video will mirror whatever is on your screen. You can do Powerpoints, Word Docs, or any other program.
• A Window: gives you the option to show a window for your browser. 

• You can stop sharing anytime by clicking on the "You are Presenting" button.

Why should the corporate world have all the fun? There is plenty of educational utility in Video Conferencing! Still need help? Watch this video for more information