Using Google Hangouts

Swansea University © David Gill

I was invited to contribute to a second year undergraduate lecture in Egyptology, followed by a taught MA seminar, both at Swansea University. This was the first year that I had used Google Hangouts.

I used a MacBook Pro with built in camera. The connection was very straightforward and I linked to a former Swansea colleague (also using a MacBook Pro). I was then projected onto the screen.

The interaction worked well and the students were able to ask questions and seek clarification. (In a previous year we had used a twitter wall.)

The one draw back was the speed of the connection. I was connected using the wireless network and when I tried to show web-based materials everything ground to a halt. So the lesson is: test your connection speed, and if you are going to use Hangouts with webpages then use a wired machine!

However the delivery of a Powerpoint lecture was unproblematic and the Swansea students seemed to find the lecture and seminar helpful.

Peer review by video

Swansea University © David Gill

Lecturing comes in all shapes and sizes. So in just over a week I will be delivering a lecture and then a postgraduate seminar to students at Swansea University (my former institution). One will be to second year Egyptology students on the theme of collecting Egyptian antiquities. As I am going to be peer observed (although remotely) I am beginning to think about the elements I need. How do I interact with my Powerpoint slides? How can the students ask questions? Do we use a Twitter wall? How do we break up the lecture?

Then there are the hardware issues. Do I sit in front of the Macbook or at my office workstation? Or do I got to the video conference room? 

And then there is the medium. Will I try Google Hangouts? Or GoToMeeting?

Lecturing is never dull!