Google Hangouts
What is Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is a communication platform available via the web and mobile app for communicating. It includes the ability to send instant messages, engage in video calls, SMS text, and VOIP (Voice over internet protocol). It also supports audio calls between a Hangouts user and a landline or cellular number.
What is the purpose of Google Hangouts
It allows conversations between two or more Hangouts users through different mediums, including text, audio, or video. The overall purpose is to provide flexibility to the ways in which people can connect to one another for conversation and dialogue. For teaching and learning purposes, Hangouts may be most valuable in facilitating long-distance meetings, conversations, conference calls, or office hours. Its chat functions might also be used to provide a back channel during lectures, presentations, or discussions. With the use of screen sharing, users can share a variety of materials and resources to supplement their call.
How to use Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts can be accessed with a Google account. Hangouts can be accessed through any web browser, or through a Hangouts Chrome extension or Hangouts Chrome app for a Google Chrome browser. A Google Hangouts app can also be added to an iOS or Android device. If accessing Google Hangouts through Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari browsers, you will need to download a Hangouts plug-in.
Where to find Support
This tool is not centrally supported
Help and Documentation
For help, please refer to the Google Hangouts documentation
Supported Tools to Consider
Tool Evaluation
Functionality
| Rating | Rationale |
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ScaleYou can use Hangouts to talk with multiple people at the same time. You can send messages in a group conversation with up to 150 people, or have a video call with up to 10 people. Hangout groups can be customized to a select group of users. |
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Ease of UseThe tool has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and personalize |
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Tech Support/Help AvailabilityTechnical support and help documentation is available from Google. Western-based technical support/help documentation is not available. |
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HypermedialityThe tool allows users to communicate through different channels (audio, visual, textual) and allows for non-sequential, flexible/adaptive engagement with material |
Accessibility
| Rating | Rationale |
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AODA FriendlyHangouts has been developed to support the use of screen readers such as JAWS, VoiceOver, or ChromeVox |
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User-focused participationThe tool is designed to address the needs of diverse users, their various literacies, and capabilities, thereby widening opportunities for participation in learning |
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Required EquipmentProper use of the tool requires equipment that is common and/or purchased at a low cost (i.e. microphone, speakers, camera). Broadband internet is recommended. |
Technical
| Rating | Rationale |
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OWL IntegrationThe tool can only be offered in OWL through a link to Google Hangouts in an Internet browser window |
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Operating SystemsUsers can effectively utilize the tool with any standard, up-to-date operating system (i.e. Windows 10, Apple OSX, etc.) |
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Web BrowserUsers can effectively utilize the tool with any standard, up-to-date web browser (i.e. Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer 10 etc.). While not required, the Hangouts Chrome extension and Hangouts Chrome app allow flexible options for engagement of the tool. |
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Additional Tech RequirementsA Hangouts plug-in is required for Explorer, Firefox, and Safari browsers. |
Mobile Design
| Rating | Rationale |
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Mobile Operating SystemsThe tool is fully functional with a range of electronic mobile devices (laptops, tablets, touchscreens, mobile devices, etc.) |
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Mobile FunctionalityThere is little to no functional difference between the mobile app and the main tool |
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Offline AccessThe platform can be used offline but tools and content are affected. It is possible to access chat history while offline. |
Usage and Account Set Up
| Rating | Rationale |
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Sign Up/Sign InAll users (instructors and students) must create an external account or additional login, and/or personal information is collected. Google Hangouts uses a Google account. |
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Cost of UseAll aspects of the tool can be used free of charge. Calls between Hangouts users and to landlines or cellular numbers are free (some calls to landline/cellular numbers outside Canada and the USA will be fee based) |
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Archiving, Saving, and Exporting DataThere are limitations to archiving, saving, or importing/exporting content or activity data. While conversation history is saved, it cannot be exported from Hangouts. Video conversations cannot be recorded via Hangouts. |
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Data Privacy and OwnershipUsers maintain ownership and copyright of their intellectual property/data; the user can keep data private and decide if/how data is to be shared |
Social Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
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CollaborationThe tool has the capacity to support a community of learning through both asynchronous and synchronous opportunities for communication, interactivity, and transfer of meaning between users |
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User AccountabilityInstructors cannot control student anonymity but the tool provides some solution for holding students accountable for their actions |
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DiffusionStudent familiarity with the tool is likely mixed, some will lack basic technical competence with its functions |
Instructor Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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FacilitationThe tool has easy-to-use features that would significantly improve an instructor’s ability to be present with students via active management, monitoring, and engagementt |
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CustomizationGoogle Hangouts is adaptable (i.e. use of screen sharing, text chat, video calling), easily customized to suit the intended context of use |
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Learning AnalyticsAs a video conferencing and text message tool, Hangouts is not intended to support collection of learning analytics |
Cognitive Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
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Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s)Through the way in which Hangouts supports communication, the tool may enable functional improvement to engagement in the targeted cognitive task(s) |
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Higher Order ThinkingThe tool may engage students in higher order thinking skills (given significant consideration to design, facilitation, and direction from instructor) |
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Feedback on LearningHangouts may be used to facilitate opportunities for receiving formative feedback on learning |
Security and Privacy
This tool has not been formally reviewed by Western’s Technology Risk Assessment Committee
Security and Privacy Flags
Accounts
- Users are required to create and use a non-Western account. It is highly recommended that users do not use the same username and password that is in use at Western.
Information Collection
- Application collects information that could identify the user specifically (email address, class schedule, etc..)
- This application may use profile information and/or provided data for marketing purposes
EULA
- Acceptance of the Application's Terms of Conditions or End User License Agreement may bind the institution to an agreement thereby requiring legal counsel to review the application contract.
Integration
- This application is hosted outside of Canada
Last Updated: January 22, 2020
Rubric
The eLearning Toolkit Evaluations are made available under the terms of the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence
Feedback
Leave feedback to comment or request that the tool be re-reviewed
Topic at a Glance
Google Hangouts is a communication platform provided by Google allowing for instant messaging, video calls, SMS texts and VOIP.
