Google Meet – A Tool for Digital Collaboration

Freemium

Google Meet provides users a video-conferencing tool that they can use to connect with other users. To access the tool, users must have a Google profile. To begin, users will need to go to the Google Meet website and then click the “Start a Meeting” button. Next, they will need to sign into their Google account. Once signed in, a new page will appear, and users can click the “Join Now” button to start a meeting. At this point, users can invite other users to join by sharing the URL or invite other users in their contact list by entering their name(s) or email(s).

Once in the meeting, on the bottom of the screen, users can click the “Meeting Details” button to again view the URL and invite other users. If a meeting invitation was sent through Google Calendar, users can view the invitation from the “Meeting Details” button as well. The “Microphone” icon allows users to keep their microphone on or mute it, and the “Camera” icon lets users turn on and off their camera during the meeting. If users click the “Turn On Captions” option, Google Meet will automatically provide closed caption for the meeting, with varying levels of accuracy. The “Present Now” option allows users to share their screen or a section of it.

At the top of the screen, there is a “Chat” icon for users to send a message to the other users in the meeting, and the “Person” icon shows who is in the meeting. When ready to end or leave the meeting, users can click the red “Phone” icon on the bottom of the screen. Once they leave the meeting, users have the option to rejoin the meeting, go to the Google Meet home screen, or provide feedback about their experience.

Instructional Ideas for Google Meet

1. When doing small group activities, such as “pair-and-shares,” book clubs, and debriefing sessions, teachers can create meetings before the class and post them to a class website, Google doc, or in another accessible location. That way, students will be able to quickly join their meeting(s) during the lesson.
2. For students who wish to connect with an expert or knowledgeable person in a field (e.g., scientist, curator, artist, etc.), teachers can help students invite the other individual(s) to the meeting. In addition, teachers can have students prepare a list of question or agenda for the meeting.
3. When teachers need to meet with other teachers, administrators, parents/guardians, and other stakeholders, they can use this tool to schedule and attend the meeting.
4. Teachers can offer a “help” or “study” session and post a link to a Google Meet and allow students to “drop in” if they need help with a topic from class.

Screenshots of Google Meet

Ratings for Google Meet

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