G+ for EducatorsEllen Cordeiro

Note - video is a little dated, but still a good intro to G+

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC_M6PzXS9g

Sources confirm that Google has no immediate plans to ditch the name “Google+,” but what that name represents is about to dramatically change. It appears Photos and Streams will cease to be simply features of Google+, and will become two distinct products under Horowitz’s watch. (Google wouldn’t elaborate on its plans except to say no product changes are happening right now.)

-David Pierce

Here are some basics.

Information about yourself. When using G+ for professional development it’s a good idea to include your school information in your profile description.

Profile

CirclesThink of Circles as groups. When you share information, you can share with

everyone (public) or just a select circle (group) of people. This is great if you you’re working in a PLC and only want to share resources with specific people.

Connect with up to 10 people in a private video call. Share your screen, chat, collaborate on a Google Doc, wear a party hat all in one place. Hangouts on Air

allow you to Broadcast publicly and your Hangout is recorded and published to your Youtube Channel. Connect with another class or meet with someone across campus

in Google Hangouts.

Hangouts

Connect with others who have common interests in a Google Community. Organize posts in topics and keep your community private or public. A lot like subscribing to a

group, but not to be confused with circles.

Communities

Organize all your photos in Google plus. Auto back up all your images and play with some cool features like auto awesomeness and stories. Share publicly or privately.

Photos

Let’s take a tour.

• Create a circle that includes everyone in the room

• Share a link to your favorite educational resource with the circle you just created

Challenge 1

• Join a community Challenge 2

Bonus - first person who figures out how to turn off email notifications and can teach the group wins bonus points!

• Use Google Plus to connect with other educators to fuel your Professional Learning Community

Challenge 3

Fall in love with learning