According to our Meet Analytics tools there have been over 1,000 Google Meets in some form or fashion in our district since we went virtual last week. This made me start thinking and researching about how we can maximize Google Meets. I know and fully believe that Google Meets does not take the place of face to face instruction but with a few adjustments we may be able to maximize its effectiveness.. Here are a few tips to help make Google Meets more beneficial.
1) Meet Controls - As the host (you the teacher) you have access to host controls. Below you will see a few screenshots below with some settings. To access Host controls look for the lock icon in the lower left corner of the meet. Here you can set permissions and decide whether or not students should be able to share their screens and send chat messages. If you click on the audio setting there is a FANTASTIC setting for noise cancellation. Here the teacher can filter out all noises except voice audio.
2) Mute others - Often times our students may not mute themselves. You as the teacher can click on their name and choose to mute them. Here is an article about this.
3) Break out Rooms - Teachers can now create breakout rooms in Google Meets. Students can be placed in small groups within the Google Meet and the teacher can cycle through each room. More information HERE.
4) Set the expectation - Google Meets are fairly new to all of us. In fact more updates have been pushed out to Google Meets since August then many other Google products. You will have successes and failure but go ahead and make ground rules of how students should participate within Google Meets.
5) Record your meet - Students may not be able to meet at the specific time each day due to connectivity issues, parents work schedules, etc. . If you click on the 3 dots in the bottom right hand corner and choose "Record meeting" then once the meeting is over you will receive an email and a link of the recorded Google meet. You can post this in your Google Classroom.
6) Be the first one in and the last one out of Google Meets - When you end your Google Meet make sure that all students are "Out" of the Google Meet. If they are not out use GoGuardian to close the tab for them.
7) Try Jamboard - Jamboard is a way to have a white board in your Google Meet. As the teacher you can choose to either have students view the board OR edit the board along with you
8) Backgrounds - This has recently rolled out. You and students can both change their background.
9) Raise your hand - There is now a hand raise feature where the teacher can see when students raise their hand.
10) Close captioning - You can turn close captioning on in your Google meet. This might be beneficial for both students with hearing impairments and for students who might be in a crowded room or home during virtual learning.
Hopefully these few tips will put you well on your way for a successful Google Meet.
