Google Groups – web 2.0 Feedback, Networking/Social Tool

Name of the Tool:
Google Groups

URL of the Tool:
groups.google.com

Please select the one, primary category for this tool:
Collaboration, Feedback, Networking/Social Tool

Please describe this tool in your own words in about 250 words:

Google groups is a web 2.0 tool that can be used as a collaboration, feedback, networking, or social tool (or all of the above). Google groups is available in over 30 languages and is very user-friendly. Groups created in google groups can be restricted by invitation only or made public so that persons of similar interests can join and collaborate. Google groups is interactive with many of the other google suite of products (google docs, google wave, gmail, etc.).

What do you need to know before using this tool?:

There is no prerequisite knowledge necessary to use this tool.

What do you need to have before using this tool? (Resources):

A free Google Account to create your group. A dedicated person who will serve as the group administrator.

How do you use this tool? (Write the basic steps using a numbered list)

• Go to groups.google.com and login with your google account or if you are already logged into google select groups.
  
• Click Create a group

• Name your group
• Describe your group
• Choose the appropriate access level based on your group dynamic.

• Invite or add people to your group. Include an invitation message about the specifics of your group for invitees.

• Go to your group by clicking on the “View your group” tab

• You can start discussions, add new members, create a new page, add files, or modify the group settings from the group page.
  

Please create an example with this tool and either embed in your blog or submit the URL:

http://groups.google.com/group/cuin_instructional_technology_uh

Please describe a scenario of how you might use this tool in a teaching environment (about 500 words):

Collaborative projects that entail basic research for students can be accomplished using this tool as the focal point for information gathering, discussions, file storage and creating pages.

Graduate students and educators can collaborate across the globe using google groups to compile data, engage in discussions, and finalize projects (e.g. presentations at conferences, joint articles, etc.).

Teachers can use google groups to communicate with students 24/7 (face-to-face courses). Student instructions and study notes can be loaded for access anytime, anywhere as long as the student has internet access. Other teacher uses also include goal setting and progress reports for students, faculty communication and teacher-to-teacher groups (in the same school or across a school district)

What are the advantages of using this tool in a teaching environment?:

Google groups is very user friendly and simple to navigate. Middle school and secondary students can learn the basics of collaborative work using this tool.

What are the disadvantages of using this tool in a teaching environment?:
Spam messages i known to come into Google groups a few days after starting the group. Also messages and posts must be approved by the administrator which causes delays in collaboration based on the administrator's scheduled time to moderate the google group.