Flipping Your Class Easily with Google Hangouts On Air

I absolutely love using Google+ Hangouts On Air to record PD sessions and for recording Flipped Classroom lessons.  It is quick, simple, and seamless once you have gone through an initial, one time, slightly convoluted and aggravating set up process.

First, you will need to make sure that you have established your Google+ Account.  In other words, you need to change from +You to +Nikki (or your name since you are not me).

 

You can accomplish this step by simply clicking on the +You and following the directions that will appear.  Most items can be skipped.  You can always create circles (add friends) at a later time.

*Be aware that if you are using a school Google Account (GAFE) you may be limited to only being able to use the Google Hangout feature only with those within your school account. In other words, when I use my @hcs-students.net account I cannot do a Google Hangout with someone using a @gmail.com or any other email address that is not also an @hcs-students.net account.  

I recommend having a personal Gmail account and a school account so that you are not caught unprepared for a Google Hangout opportunity.

 Next, you will need to connect your established Google+ Account to your YouTube Account. (If you have a Google Account you automatically have a YouTube Account).  This step is aggravating but will allow you to record for up to 8 hours---for FREE so it is well worth trudging through these steps. You will only need to do this step once for each of your Google Accounts.

Before starting a Google Hangout On Air for the first time you will need to verify your YouTube account as Google Hangouts On Air are automatically uploaded to your YouTube Channel.

Go to YouTube and sign in to your Google account.  Then follow the directions below:

1.  Click on your profile picture in the upper right hand corner of the page.

2.  Click on Video Manager

3.  Click on Channel Settings

 

4.  Click on Features

5.  Click the ENABLE button next to Longer videos

6.  Choose to receive an automated voice message or a text message with a verification code.

7.  Enter your phone number where you want to receive the voice message or text message. (this is to protect your account from being hacked)

8.  Click Submit

9.  Enter the verification code you received by voice message or text message

10. Click Submit

11.  Click Continue

Lastly, you will need to install the Google Hangout Plug In https://www.google.com/tools/dlpage/hangoutplugin

You should now be able to start a Google Hangout On Air.

Up to 10 people (counting yourself) can be in a Google Hangout.  Of course if you are using Google Hangouts On Air hundreds of thousands of people can watch the broadcast. They just all won't be on the screen with you.

When you invite guest to be in a Google Hangout please ensure they have the following:

1.    A computer

2.    Internet Access

3.    Using Google Chrome Web Browser (Not Internet Explorer, FireFox, etc.)

4.    A webcam and microphone (a headset w/microphone is preferred to reduce feedback)

5.    An established Google+ Account (see above)

6.    Install Google Hangout Plug In https://www.google.com/tools/dlpage/hangoutplugin

7.    ALL people who will be in the Hangout will need to add each other to their circles.  

• The easiest way to do this is to have each person send you their Google ID.
• My Google+ ID is: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NikkiDRobertson/posts
• Here is a video tutorial for how to find your Google Plus (Google+) User ID - How to Find<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkPHxRDp9wY>

Whew!  Now that you have worked your way to this point the next time will be super simple!

So.  How do you actually invite people to your Google Hangout On Air?

1.  Sign into your Google+ Account
2.  Hover over the "Home" button on the left hand side of your screen and click on "Hangouts" that appears on the drop down menu.

3.  Click on "Start a Hangout On Air"

4.  Give our Hangout On Air a Title, determine whether you want to start the Hangout On Air NOW or LATER.  Select the DATE and TIME of your Hangout On Air, choose who your audience will be (who can view the LIVE broadcast of your Hangout On Air).

5.  Click the green SHARE button in the bottom left hand corner of the box. 

This step is where you invite people to WATCH the Hangout On Air but not be a part of the Hangout On Air.

 

 6.  When you are ready to begin the Google Hangout On Air broadcast click the blue START button.

 7.  Invite any guests that you would like to appear On Air with you. (limit is 10 counting yourself) then click the green INVITE button.  You do not have to invite guests.  Why would you not invited guest?  If you are simply recording a Flipped Lesson there is no need to invite any guests. In this case you would choose the SKIP button. 

This step is where you invite people to BE A PART OF the Hangout On Air, not just watch it.

 8.  Place a check mark in the obligatory box and click the green CONTINUE button.

 9.  Be sure to grab the URL or Embed code so that your audience can watch your broadcast or so that you can put it in your Learning Management System (Edmodo, Moodle, Website, Wiki, etc) for students to watch the recording of your Hangout On Air.

 10.  When you are ready to start broadcasting be sure to click on the green START BROADCASTING button.

 11.  To share a PowerPoint, document, website, video, picture, etc with your audience you will need to hover over the left side of the Hangout screen and then click on the green icon that says SCREENSHARE.  Choose FULL SCREEN or DESKTOP and then click on the blue START SCREENSHARE button. Minimize the Hangout screen.  Anything you see on your computer is what your audience will see.

For more about using Google Hangouts On Air review this Google Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16_StAwCOBXOquYuObLVmk9vE98DoSkkePMI26gF_VE4/edit?usp=sharing

Watch an instructional video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9990Mil9MU