Online+Communication


 * Google+ Hangouts**

For this task, Simon Ringsmuth and I decided to explore Google+ Hangouts as both of us seem to be very interested in exploring all the services that Google has to offer. We set up a time which would suit both our timezones and schedules, and looked forward to meeting “face to face”. So in preparation for my online meeting with Simon I started to explore the features of Google+ Hangouts.

I am a big believer (and user) of online communications and it has infiltrated most aspects of my life both personally and professionally. I joined Google+ almost six months ago, but haven’t really got into using it too much, rather I tend to use it more as as an extension of my twitter account which I use almost daily. To be honest until Simon suggested Google+ Hangout to try out I hadn’t realised that it was even a feature of Google+, so of course I jumped at the opportunity to check it out. Normally if I want to use a VoIP service I use Skype, FaceTime or Elluminate.
 * Awareness**

Once I started exploring Google+ Hangouts I was really impressed with the service. I read through every aspect of the FAQs and “About Hangouts” section on the Google+ homepage. This area of the homepage was really user friendly and very explicit on how to setup and use the hangout feature. It also had a video showcasing the features of hangouts, which really got me excited about trying it out. media type="youtube" key="7qlunRCjZ2U" height="315" width="560" Some of the features of Google+ Hangouts are:
 * Exploration & Filtration**
 * video and audio calls
 * up to 10 participants per hangout
 * hangouts can be private or public
 * integration of apps which can be shared simultaneously
 * dress ups
 * screen sharing available
 * no special software needed
 * can mute both video and audio when needed

Even though I had yet to actually experience using the hangout, I could already see how it was going to become a tool I use in my everyday toolbox online.

Some of the features that Google+ Hangouts has are being able to share applications such as YouTube, Online Whiteboards etc; sharing each other’s screens; being able to play dress ups; and of course being able to mute both audio and video when needed. Even though Simon and I did not test all of these out, we certainly looked at them and discussed the possibilities they pose for education. We saw that we could dress up as a feature of these hangouts but we did not figure out how to actually do it. This will be my personal learning task during the next couple of weeks, because if I don’t figure it out it will bug forever that it beat me.
 * Learning**

The video and audio quality between the two of us as participants was really good I felt. Yes at times the video became a little hazy, but these times were limited and few and far between during the twenty minutes we were online chatting. The audio was very clear throughout the whole online meeting, with the exception of right at the beginning when I couldn’t hear Simon and then we realised he needed to set up his audio (I believe he found this really easy to do). I am not sure how good the quality of the video would remain if we reached the upper limit of participants able to participate in a hangout, although I would expect that it would degrade if using both video and audio. Of course the quality of using such VoIP services always depends on the internet connection and bandwidth of each participant.
 * Personal & Professional Application**

Both Simon and I could see how using Google+ Hangouts could be of a real benefit to education and classroom experiences. Some ideas we had for the use of this online tool were:
 * Consulting with a panel of experts around the world in real time to discuss content and application
 * Connecting with other classes to participate in global learning projects
 * Brainstorming with community specialists to assist with learning projects

Some limitations we discussed were:
 * To use Google+ Hangouts you need to be registered with Google+, although getting an invitation to join is easy enough
 * Some school districts and educational organisations would block this type of online environment and VOiP services, as part of their security filters. This means that the connecting with other schools would be dependent on their schools security filters allowing this type of tool.
 * Browser specific - I normally use Safari, but needed to use Mozilla Firefox to be able to access it.
 * There was no recording feature, so we couldn’t record it for students to refer back to at a later point to review, revise, reflect and rethink. Although we could use software in conjunction with Google+ Hangouts such as Camtasia, to record the session.

I can definitely see how this particular online communication tool will be used in both my professional and personal life. Personally, it will make for a great alternative to FaceTime and Skype for my kids and I to keep in contact with my husband when we move to Oklahoma in late June. It will also be easier for other family members and friends to connect with us whilst we are living in the United States. On a professional level, I can see this tool will help me to conduct online meetings using VoIP at minimal costs to other professionals and organisations - this will be a big seller for those struggling on a budget!

P.S. I figured out the dress ups :)