Google Hangouts is a video calling tool. Google Hangouts Meet (so many names!)
Virtual Conference Room for meeting with others (even groups) face to face or presenting your screen
2 ways to create a Hangout: Calendar event or meet.google.com
Calendar event = one-time meeting with a certain group of people invited in the calendar event.
Meet.google.com = Set up a reusable room (i.e. PLC, grade level, virtual classroom)
Setting up a Hangout via calendar event
Go to calendar.google.com
Create a new event
“Add conferencing” will create a link to a virtual room.
Setting up a Hangout via meet.google.com
Go to meet.google.com
Choose “Join or start a meeting” and enter a name
Choose Join Now
Pop-up card give you info for others to join your virtual room
Pro Tips for Hangouts
Use a headset for sound quality
Raise webcam up to eye level using a box or stack of books
Wipe webcam with soft dry cloth
Bright rooms look better on camera
Be mindful of your background
What can you do in a Hangout?
Far left - Get Hangout login info
3 Buttons (left to right)
Microphone mute - Mutes if you need to cough or sneeze
Hangup - takes you out of the room
Turn off webcam - gives you privacy from the webcam
Captions - provides closed captioning for whoever is speaking
Present - present window, NOT full screen
Participants - lists presenters by name
Chat - side chat so participants do not interrupt the speaker
Mute audience members - click the microphone icon on the participants thumbnail to mute the participant
Record - recording is automatically saved to Google Drive. Link to video is emailed to organizer
Limit of 250 participants in Hangouts!