Using Google Hangouts to have a video meeting was frustrating. For some reason, I kept getting a notice that Google Hangouts was not enabled with my google account. I looked up how to's using atomic learning, moodle, and google search. I followed all the directions they listed and still nothing. I finally decided to make sure I could activate the camera and microphone and it worked! Apparently, I had access all along even though it still says Google Hangouts is not enabled for me.
The actual video meeting went well with Sara. I did this when the children were lining up for lunch and they were surprised to see and hear her on the computer screen. While I can see the benefits of using this app for team meetings for outside of school, it would be difficult to use with Kindergartners. One possible idea would be to use the app to connect with other Kindergarten classrooms in the school, township, state, or county. It would help the children understand and see how others learn, talk, and, much more.
I have been trying to use google drive to create the majority of my classroom materials this year. I like how drive allows you and others to collaborate on the same page, possibly at the same time. I do have to remember to make a copy of something someone shares with me before editing otherwise I end up changing their original document.
Click here for my sub sheet writing page
So glad it ended up working out and that you were able to finally video chat with Sara!
ReplyDeleteHi Victoria. That stinks that you had a hard time with Google Hangout! Hopefully the next time you try it, it won't give you any problems :). I am sure your students would LOVE to see other kindergartners on a computer. They can learn a lot about different cultures!
ReplyDeleteHi Victoria, I had a similar experience & was really happy when it finally worked!! I think it was confusing because an email would arrive to tell me someone was trying to contact me, as opposed to a pop-up or sound as I had expected.
ReplyDeleteHi, Victoria ~ If we can work out the glitches with Google hangouts, maybe we could add it to our reading buddies program! My students are excited to come and read to your P.M. little ones. I'm thinking the week of the 26th?
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