Tech Task #3 Part 3

This third and final part of tech task three has made me feel like a failure.
I've tried attending some online sessions, but due to old technology and a computer that has been considered an "antique", I have not yet been able to make things work.  Since online live sessions weren't working, I attempted to take part in a Twitter Chat, and although the topic of social studies interests me, I just couldn't get into it and follow the chat.  It would definitely be something I would try again because it was a great learning experience, but after a while I became confused with what was happening and I felt like I couldn't keep up.  There was too much information coming at me and I didn't have enough time to write it all down or keep track of it.  I now have a strategy for my next Twitter Chat experience and I know it will be much more successful now that I know what is coming.
 
After planning on attending some of the #etmooc live sessions, and realizing I was in class when most of them occurred, I decided to look for other online events or sessions to attend.  This is when I discovered Google Hangout.

What is Google Hangout?

What a great question!  If you know exactly what a Google Hangout is pleases let me know because I am not really sure what it is.
I have joined a few groups on Google Hangout relating to Education, where articles are posted and discussions are had.  I have found it is very similar to Twitter, just without the 140 character limit.

I also attended a live Hangout, which I initially thought might be like the Blackboard platform used for the ECMP355 class and #etmooc sessions, but it was more like a video conference.  

I ended up attending a Hangout on Bullying and Cyberbullying hosted by Toronto Police. This Hangout was a live broadcast of what appeared to be a conference and the information provided was great,  although it didn't have the interactive component I thought it might.  I'm not sure if it is supposed to be interactive, since I am still exploring Google Hangouts, but if it is supposed to I will let you know.
* I have done a bit of research and discovered that video conferencing can only be interactive for you and a maximum of 10 friends or people at a time for free.

A friend and I out for Coffee.

Right now I am using Google Hangouts as my own personal coffee shop.  I make myself a hot chocolate or apple cider and I open up Google Hangouts to see what new articles or discussions have been posted. I find out what is new and exciting in the Education field and see what some of the other people in the hang out are discussing.

Google Hangouts is a great way to meet strangers and see what they have to say about topics you are interested in, without having to follow them and all their conversations.  I am still getting to know Google Hangouts and it's purpose, but check back later and I will let you know what I have discovered.