Get Connected
Useful tools to facilitate online community and learning
Google Meet in an online communication platform that you could use to conference with your students.
Some highlights:
students can join a Google Meet online, or via telephone (long distance charges may apply)
for students unable to call long distance, teachers can call a phone number from inside Google Meet
students who join online don't have to be on camera
remind students to mute their microphones while they aren't talking (bottom of screen)
remind students to use the chat feature to ask questions
In addition to sharing the meet code for your class, you can also create a nickname for your 'class' (think specific enough so that no other class would use the same nickname), and have your students join using meet.google.com. They can use this same code every time they join 'class'
Tutorials
Use the app on personal devices or work online at chat.google.com to chat one-on-one or with a large group in a chat room by video or text exchange. It is important to note that Google Chat will only work with those within our K12 domain Gmail accounts. Google Chat is a great way to collaborate and work in a group and team setting. Chat can be accessed via chat.google.com, access through your Gmail and there are also a desktop and mobile application that is available.
Tutorials
Google Hangouts
Hangouts is the original version of Google chat and has some features of Chat but it is much more simplified. However, Hangouts will let you create conversations with users outside of the K12 domain. Hangouts can be accessed via hangouts.google.com, in your Gmail, or through a mobile or desktop application.
Tutorials
GOOGLE MEET BROADCAST
THIS VIDEO explains how to easily create a video meeting on Google Hangouts Meet which has a live stream (broadcast) that lets you invite viewers (up to 100,000) who are ONLY viewers and can't control their mics or turn on their cameras. You may want to use a backchannel communication tool (ex. a google doc, or chat) for students to ask questions while your broadcast is on.
GOOGLE MEET GRIDVIEW
GRIDVIEW for Google Meet is a Google Chrome Extension that shows all participants in a grid (like Zoom). You can toggle it on and off when in a Google Meet in the top right corner.
GOOGLE MEET - NOD Reactions
NOD Reactions for Google Meet is a Google Chrome Extension that once added, it appears in top left corner anytime you are on a Google Meet. It allows participants to respond/give feedback without jumping on the mic.
GOOGLE MEET - Breakout rooms
Breakout Rooms for Google Meet is an innovative way to encourage collaboration and group discussion within Google Meet. The process was designed by Shawnda Norlock and Josh Myles of RLDHS. Please view the presentation and video below to learn how to use breakout rooms with Google Meet. Please make a copy of the presentation to start using breakout rooms for your class.
"Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, collaboration, chat, and webinars across mobile devices, desktops, telephones, and room systems." (https://zoom.us/about) . A free account will allow you 40 minute video meetings with whomever you share the meeting ID with (up to 100 participants).
*PLEASE RETURN LATER FOR MORE INFORMATION ON USING ZOOM WITH YOUR STUDENTS*
YouSeeU is a videoconferencing tool that is built into the Brightspace virtual learning environment.