Guide on How to Use Google Hangouts

[Mark O'Connell]

Dear all, If you read this guide you can get a really good overview of how the whole Hangouts thing works. It explains, sound, video, getting into Hangouts etc.. Thanks to Eric Curts for writing this great document.

Mark

*	Google+ for Schools Hangouts by Eric Curts

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A Google+ Hangout is a powerful video conference tool that allows up to 15 people at once to connect. Members of the Hangout can also share their computer screen to share a website, go through a presentation, or teach how to do something. You can also broadcast a hangout live for an unlimited number of people to see, and archive the video to YouTube. This is a great way to hold meetings, engage in distance learning, do professional development, record lessons for a flipped class, provide after hours help, and more.

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Watching a Hangout

The simplest way to participate in a Hangout is just to watch it. Some people choose to broadcast their Hangout live so anyone can watch it. In this case you are not actually part of the Hangout but instead you are watching it live like a webinar or broadcast. You normally can post questions in the comments section, so there is some opportunity for interaction.

To watch a Hangout, when it is time for the Hangout to begin go to the profile page of the person or organization who is running the Hangout. You may need to refresh the page from time to time until the Hangout begins. Once it starts you will see the Hangouts On Air screen and can click the play button to begin viewing live. You can submit questions or comments in the Add a comment box below the Hangout video. The comments do not automatically refresh, so you may want to open a second copy of the webpage in a new tab and refresh that from time to time to see the updated comments.

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Considerations for Participating in a Hangout

Rather than just watching a Hangout, you also can run your own Hangouts and join into the Hangouts of others. However, if you are going to participate in a Hangout, there are some things to consider.

• Camera - To be seen in the Hangout you will need a camera for your computer or device (phone, tablet, etc). Many laptops and mobile devices have front-facing camera built in, but if you have a desktop computer you may not have a camera. In such cases a simple USB webcam is often a great option. If you do not have a camera, you can still join the Hangout, but people will only see your profile picture instead of a live video of you.

• Microphone - Similarly, the be heard in the Hangout you will need a microphone. Again, most laptops and mobile devices will have a built-in mic, but you may need to add on a mic for a desktop computer.

• Headphones - This is optional but worth considering. You can use the speakers from your devices or computer, but sometimes your mic will pick up the sound from your speakers and cause feedback and echoing. By using headphones, or even a headset mic, you will keep the sound from the Hangout for your ears only.

• Environment - As much as possible, it is best to locate yourself in a well lit, quiet place, so everyone will be able to see and hear you clearly.

Joining a Hangout

When someone invites you to a hangout, you will get a notification in to the top right corner of your browser on any Google services page (Gmail, Drive, etc). Click the notification to expand the invite. If you wish to join the hangout, click the blue Hang out button. The Hangout window will now open. If it is a Hangout On Air, meaning that it can be broadcast live and recorded, you will have to check the I agree box. When you are ready to enter the Hangout, click the blue Join button.

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Starting a Hangout

1. To start your own Hangout go to the Hangouts page in Google+ by clicking the Hangouts icon in the left menu bar. If you do not see the Hangouts icon, click the More button to see any icons that did not fit on the page.

2. Next click the red Start a Hangout button in the top right.

3. This will open the Start a Hangout window.

4. If you need to adjust your mic, speaker, or webcam settings, click the gear icon in the top right.

5. To invite people to the Hangout, enter them in the Add names, circles, or email addresses box.

   If you want to name your Hangout (so people know what it is about) enter the info in the Name this hangout box. By default, the Hangout will be private between you and people you have invited. However, if you want to broadcast the Hangout live for anyone to view and to have the Hangout recorded to your YouTube channel, check the box for Enable Hangouts On Air. Finally, click the blue Hang out button to start the Hangout.

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Participating in a Hangout

• Once you are in the Hangout a small thumbnail video of you (and all participants) will show up along the bottom of the screen.

• In the center of the Hangout will be a large video showing one participant.

• When someone speaks, the Hangout will switch focus to that person and they will appear in the main large window.

• Because of this it is important to mute your mic when you are not speaking to cut down on background noise and unintentional focus on you.

In the top right corner of the Hangout there are several control buttons:

Mute microphone - so no one can hear you Turn camera off - to show your profile picture instead of your live video Adjust bandwidth - to reduce the bandwidth being used if you are experiencing slow connectivity, broken audio, or freezing video Settings - to choose which device to use for your mic, camera, and speakers Exit - to leave the Hangout

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Hangout Tools

Besides just speaking via video conference, there are many other things you can do in a Hangout. On the left side of the screen you will find various Hangout tools.

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Invite people - Ask more people to join the Hangout Chat - Open a window on the right where you can text chat with the other Hangout participants Screenshare - Instead of showing yourself, you can show your computer screen to show a website, program, slideshow, or such. Capture - Take pictures of the Hangout Google Drive - Share and collaborate on a file from your Google Drive. Google Effects - Add fun visual props to your Hangout. YouTube - Watch a YouTube video together with the Hangout members. View more apps - Add other tools to your Hangout including: Hangout Toolbox - Add lower thirds, volume control, and more Remote Desktop - Share control of a computer to provide technical assistance to someone else. Scoot and Doodle - Collaborative whiteboard

Hangouts On Air

Instead of a private Hangout, you can also run a Hangout On Air:

• The live video is broadcast on your Google+ Profile page and on your YouTube page.

• An unlimited number of people can watch the live video.

• Still only 15 people can be in the Hangout.

• When done with the Hangout On Air, the video is automatically saved to your YouTube account.

• This is great if you need to reach lots of people, or wish to record and archive the session

To launch a Hangout on Air you need to do a few things:

• First, you need to verify your YouTube account. This simply proved you are a real person, allows the Hangout On Air to be saved to your account, and removes the old 15 minute limit for your videos.

• To verify your account go to: https://www.youtube.com/verify

• This is a one-time process and will not need to be done again for your account.

• Next when you launch the Hangout, you will need to check the box labeled Enable Hangouts On Air.

• Finally, once the Hangout has begun, you will need to click the red Start Broadcast button to actually go live.
  

• When done, simply click the End Broadcast button to turn off the live video.
  

Where to find Educational Hangouts

Besides using Hangouts within your school, it is also great to reach out and view or participate in Hangouts from other people, places, and groups all around the world. This is a, easy way to plug into distance learning opportunities, collaboration with other schools, and professional development sessions.

Some good sources for finding educational Hangouts include:

• Google in Education on Google+ - https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GoogleinEducation/posts
  This is Google’s official education account on Google+ and they frequently host and post educational Hangouts of all sorts.

• Edu Hangouts website - http://eduhangout.org/
  This site helps connect educators everywhere so you can set up Hangouts with other schools, experts, authors, and more.

• G+eduhangout Community - https://plus.google.com/communities/114896744553237763030
  A Google+ Community connected with the Edu Hangout website for more great ways to find, offer, and connect with educational Hangout opportunities.