Description
Google Meet is another video conferencing platform that can be used to support communication and collaboration on several levels. Google Meet allows multiple users to collaborate through video conferencing. Users can also participate in group chats with other members within the same video call. Participants can attend meetings via video conferencing or by phone. The camera and microphone options are be switched on and off at any time. Emojis provide another form of visual communication for Google Meet users. Meetings can be scheduled through the Google Meet platform for a future time and date.
Warning
One warning that teachers and parents should be aware of when Google Meet is used by school-age children is the ability for children to use the video conferencing platform without adult supervision. Brown and Holcutt (2018, p. 174) explained that “students have the ability to access the technology anytime, anyplace.” Students using the app are at the same risk of inappropriate or unwanted exposure that is seen in the Houseparty app. I have personally witnessed that students can join a google meet outside of teacher designated hours and converse with their friends unmonitored. Additionally, other Google Meet users can join the video conference at any time.
Safeguards
One safeguard that has been put in place for teaching and learning is the ability for the user to remove anyone participating by video or phone. Users are also able to “knock’ first before entering a room. Any user who has been removed from a video call multiple times will automatically be blocked (Google is adding these security features, 2020). Users of the Google Meet platform can also view an abbreviated list of some of the participants before entering the call. These safeguards allow both students and educators to quickly gauge possible threats to privacy and respond accordingly.
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