Google Hangouts:Can a foe become a friend?
This is an opinion piece. It is not meant to offend anyone. It reflects the opinions of many of the students.
Google Hangouts is a messaging platform that allows users to message between email addresses. It is less formal than a regular email, more of in the moment - like texting. For school interactions it is good to be on the school email, and it works for those students who might not have a cell phone at a given time. During times where we were and still are separated, having Google Hangouts on our school email addresses has helped to keep our school, grades and teams a close or connected community. It kept students at home connected with students at school. It gave clubs a platform to communicate, since students can no longer chat during lunch, or stop them in the hall for a brief exchange of words. It helped to keep isolated Cohort D students in touch with their friends, and there are still some students who are remote. Unfortunately, Bedford Public Schools students no longer have that luxury; another way to connect. The piece of our school day that COVID 19 stole, our interaction with others, is no longer filled.
Google Hangouts is a messaging platform that allows users to message between email addresses. It is less formal than a regular email, more of in the moment - like texting. For school interactions it is good to be on the school email, and it works for those students who might not have a cell phone at a given time. During times where we were and still are separated, having Google Hangouts on our school email addresses has helped to keep our school, grades and teams a close or connected community. It kept students at home connected with students at school. It gave clubs a platform to communicate, since students can no longer chat during lunch, or stop them in the hall for a brief exchange of words. It helped to keep isolated Cohort D students in touch with their friends, and there are still some students who are remote. Unfortunately, Bedford Public Schools students no longer have that luxury; another way to connect. The piece of our school day that COVID 19 stole, our interaction with others, is no longer filled.
It is probable there was a good reason for banning the platform on student devices. But, there is a good reason to have Google Hangouts as well. “I know I am not the only student who misses having the platform. I was a Cohort D student up until a few weeks ago and I found the platform extremely helpful in communicating with my peers.. For everything from coordinating group projects to just planning zoom calls for catching up with other students, I used Google Hangouts.” stated a current 8th grader. A current 7th grader said, “ I feel less connected with my friends who are remote. I don't get to talk to them often, and Google Hangouts allowed me to catch up with them.” Even when writing these newspaper articles, it is hard to communicate with the other contributors.
It is probable there was a good reason for banning the platform on student devices. But, there is a good reason to have Google Hangouts as well. “I know I am not the only student who misses having the platform. I was a Cohort D student up until a few weeks ago and I found the platform extremely helpful in communicating with my peers.. For everything from coordinating group projects to just planning zoom calls for catching up with other students, I used Google Hangouts.” stated a current 8th grader. A current 7th grader said, “ I feel less connected with my friends who are remote. I don't get to talk to them often, and Google Hangouts allowed me to catch up with them.” Even when writing these newspaper articles, it is hard to communicate with the other contributors.
It is understandable that it can be a problem when students are typing in class, or when the occasional bad message is sent. There is and could still be a good majority of students who used Google Hangouts responsibly. Even if the school community finds a new way to communicate, it causes some to be left out due to people not knowing or having another “outside/personal email. In fact, it might create more problems when communicating outside of school. We will see more people who don’t have other means to communicate being left out.
It is understandable that it can be a problem when students are typing in class, or when the occasional bad message is sent. There is and could still be a good majority of students who used Google Hangouts responsibly. Even if the school community finds a new way to communicate, it causes some to be left out due to people not knowing or having another “outside/personal email. In fact, it might create more problems when communicating outside of school. We will see more people who don’t have other means to communicate being left out.
It is such a shame that the communication method that connects easily with the school email and virtually everything done here at JGMS was lost. Maybe Google Hangouts could be turned on during times that are not class times...lunch and after school. Maybe a trial run to see if Google Hangouts could be used responsibly again. However this ends up next year, join many in adding your name to a list of students who have pledged to use google hangouts responsibly by filling out the form below.
It is such a shame that the communication method that connects easily with the school email and virtually everything done here at JGMS was lost. Maybe Google Hangouts could be turned on during times that are not class times...lunch and after school. Maybe a trial run to see if Google Hangouts could be used responsibly again. However this ends up next year, join many in adding your name to a list of students who have pledged to use google hangouts responsibly by filling out the form below.