How to stay connected with students and colleagues using Google Meet

How to virtually meet with your students (or anyone) using Google Meet | Brock Teaches Teachers Tech

What is Google Meet?

Google Meet, also known as Google Hangouts Meet, is a video-calling platform similar to Skype, Zoom, or any other video conferencing platform. Brock recommends Google Meet because it is all online, there are no downloads required unless you're on a smartphone and want the app. It also is free for up to 250 people per call with no time limit (at the time of this video) with any schools that are G-Suite schools (if you have a school Google account). It also integrates well with Google Classroom and Canvas. To view this section of the video, click here!

What features does Meet have?

To view the features section of the video, click here. Meet is a video calling platform, and it's great for school teachers because it can easily be shared to the students by joining a secure link, so you don't have to create another list to add students to, you can just email or post it to something the students are already familiar with, like your email, Canvas, or Google Classroom page. It includes a chat feature, and you can also see everyone that is in the call, so if someone is being disruptive you can easily mute them or remove them from the call. It also automatically shows the person who is talking at the center of the screen, or you can manually pin yourself so you are the only one showing. 

How do I set up a Meet in Google Calendar?

To watch how to set up a Meet in Google Calendar, click here for that part of the video. This way is the best way for when you are meeting with other teachers, like a PLC meeting. It also works best when you’re meeting with just a few students. If you are meeting with your whole class, I would suggest using one of the methods I will explain later (CANVAS, Google Classroom, etc). To set one of  these up in Google Calendar, first go to your google calendar. (https://calendar.google.com). Then, create an event. Then, give it a title. Once you do that, you need to add guests. Enter the emails of who you want to invite to the video meeting. Then, click Add Google meet video conferencing. Then, save the event! Now, everyone you invited will receive an email, and the call will also appear on their Google Calendar. To join, just go back to your Google Calendar, go to that event, and then click the google meet link to join. 

How do I set up a Google Meet in Canvas?

To watch how to set up a Meet in Canvas, click here for that part of the video. To set up a Google Meet call in Canvas, you need to create a page or an assignment. Next, you can click the "Google Hangouts Meet" icon (camera in a chat bubble) above the text editor.  Then, on the pop-up, click the "Grant Access" button to allow Canvas to create a meeting link. Then, the links to join the meeting will automatically be added. You can add instructions and the time and day of the call too. Then, publish the assignment. If you still need help, then you can contact me.

How do I set up a video-call in Google Classroom?

To watch how to set up a Meet in Google Classroom, click here for that part of the video. To start, go to Classroom (classroom.google.com). Then go to the class you want to add a Meet to. Then, click the gear icon in the upper right corner. Now, scroll to the “General” settings. At the bottom of the General section, turn on the “Meet” function and make sure that the “Visible To Students” switch is on. Then, go back to the homepage of the classroom. Now, you and your students will see a Meet link there, and also on the classwork page, here. Now, if you want to have a video call, Just create an assignment or an announcement. Then, provide details or instructions such as the date and time of the video call, and tell or remind them how to access it (The meet links at the top of the classwork and home page). Now, you have a single Meet link that you can use for all the calls with that class. If this method doesn't work, see the next section. 

How do I get a link to share with my class?

To view this section of the video, click here. If you use Google Classroom, use a Google Site, or just want to send out the link by other means, then you need to just find the link. To do that, click here or go to https://meet.google.com. Then, click the plus icon labeled "Join or start a meeting". Once you do that, leave the box blank or enter a name. The name of the call really doesn't matter. Then, you may need to allow camera access. Once you do that, click "join call". Then, a box will pop up with information. You can copy all the join info like the dial in numbers, or you can just select and copy the meet.google.com/xxx-xxxx-xxx link. Then, you can paste that link wherever you distribute the info (Google Classroom page, email, Google Site, etc.) That's it for sending it out. Then, you can just join with that link whenever it's time for the video call. If you want to know the features about Google Meet, you can watch the features section of the video. 

How do I find the call I recorded?

Click here for this section of the video. If you recorded a call, it's easy to find the recording. Go to your Google Drive, or https://drive.google.com. Then, look for a folder called Meet Recordings in My Drive. Then, your recording(s) will be in that folder!

Still need help?

You can find help information on articles in the help center, on The Brocker's YouTube channel, or on The Brocker's website. You may also contact Brock by email, phone, help button or help center. 

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