Share Paper: An Investigation into the Affordances of Google Hangouts for possible use in Synchronous Online Learning Environments

  1. Kris Isaacson, University of Minnesota, United States
Tuesday, June 25 11:15-11:35 AM Oak Bay 2

Abstract: Online education is growing with considerable speed and now accounts for a significant proportion of student enrollment at institutions of higher education in the United States. Despite the popularity of online education, there are concerns related to student learning outcomes and engagement that just cannot be addressed as effectively in an asynchronous learning environment. This paper investigates the potential benefits of synchronous learning environments using the theoretical frameworks of social constructivism, social presence, and transactional distance. Finally, the author examines the affordances of Google Hangouts, the video conferencing feature of Google+ for potential use as a synchronous learning environment.