STUDENTS’ EVALUATION OF GOOGLE HANGOUTS THROUGH A CROSS-CULTURAL GROUP DISCUSSION ACTIVITY
Abstract
The study investigated perceived ease of use and usefulness of Google Hangouts as an
instructional/learning tool. Forty-two teacher education students at U.S and Japanese
universities participated in an online cross-cultural activity using Google Hangouts and
discussed cultural differences between the two countries and their teaching philosophies.
After the activity, students responded to a survey to evaluate the ease of use and
usefulness of Google Hangouts. Qualitative data were also collected through the survey to
examine their overall learning experience. The results indicated that Google Hangouts is a
useful instructional tool, but not easy to use. Although technical problems occurred
during the conference, the activity provided valuable experiences for both U.S. and
Japanese students. The study provides suggestions for how Google Hangouts can be
integrated into online classrooms based on the findings.
Keywords
Videoconference, computer mediated communication, online learning
References
- Acquah, E. O., & Commins, N. L. (2013). Pre-service teachers’ beliefs and knowledge about multiculturalism. European Journal Of Teacher Education, 36(4), 445-463. doi:1080/02619768.2013.787593
- BAŞBAY, A. (2014). Investigation of Multicultural Education Courses: The Case of Georgia
- State University. Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 14(2), 602-608. doi:12738/estp.2014.2.2055
- Davis, F. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–339.
- Duffy, J. (2013). Does Google+ Have a Future? PC Magazine, 42-44.
- Dunn, A., Dotson, E. K., Ford, J. C., & Roberts, M. (2014). “You Won't Believe What They
- Said in Class Today”: Professors’ Reflections on Student Resistance in Multicultural Education Courses. Multicultural Perspectives, 16(2), 93-98. doi:1080/15210960.2014.899779
- Ferguson, R. R. (2010). Peer interaction: the experience of distance students at university level. Journal Of Computer Assisted Learning, 26(6), 574-584. doi:10.1111/j.1365- 272010.00386.x
- Isaacson, K. (2013, June). An Investigation into the Affordances of Google Hangouts for possible use in Synchronous Online Learning Environments. In World Conference on
- Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications (Vol. 2013, No. 1, pp. 2461-2465).