1 Google+ with Michael Maguire — 02.13.2015

In the Active Teaching Lab on February 13, 2015, Michael Maguire shared how he and his colleagues in the School of Human Ecology have been using Google+ Communities in the process of designing a new course, EcoYou.

Key Takeaways

• Because they started before G+ was turned on for campus, there were some hiccups in getting started. This was especially true for those, like him, who were part of the “lead pencil society.” But, the intuitive and accessible nature of the platform won them over quickly.
• It provided a “real feeling of online community” and affords a “raw” sharing of ideas right when they’re fresh (on the bus, in committee meetings, after midnight, etc.)
• It also offers very simple integration with Google docs; much better than sharing documents via email.

If you’re interested in learning more to get up and running with Google+ Communities, watch the videos below and try stepping through the Google+ worksheet we used in this session!

The Active Teaching Lab, a Faculty Engagement program, provides a safe space for structured explorations of cool teaching tools and techniques that your colleagues are using to engage students and teach more effectively. During the academic year, labs are held weekly and will be listed on the Active Teaching Lab page.

Michael’s Google+ Communities Story