Google+Groups

**Groups**
__Brief Introduction to Google Groups__
 * Google Groups is a service that Google provides which supports discussion groups
 * These groups are usually based upon common interests.
 * You are able to start a group about anything you like and invite others, or allow the public to join.
 * Google groups allows you to discuss online or over email, create rich custom pages, and customize your own look and graphics.

__Overview__ media type="youtube" key="Otzb0YJwHaY" height="344" width="425"
 * Features:
 * [|Page Creation]- Here you can create a page that allows you to collaborate on shared pages, hosted within the group.
 * [|Customization]- Here you can select pictures, colors, and styles that will allow you to customize your group and give it its own look!
 * [|File Sharing]- Here is where you upload and share your work with others that are in your group
 * [|Member profiles]- here is where you can learn more about the other people in your group.
 * Google Groups is a free online resource
 * Google Groups allows you to discuss and create pages in most languages.
 * View video below to get a better understanding of Google Groups:

__Tutorials__
 * [|Using Google Groups in the Classroom]
 * [|Creating a Google Site and Group]
 * [|What It Is and How To Use It: Google Groups]
 * [|Getting Started:Create A Google Group]

__Advantages__

 1. You can discuss online or over email.  2. If have a question, you can find a discussion or group about it on Google Groups  3. You can start your own group! Teachers can create a group for their class and invite all their students into the group.  4. Allows a class to communicate outside the classroom about topics  5. Allows teacher to communicate to class outside the classroom

[|Google Group Example] This is a screen shot of a Google Group. This group was created for a board of students that were planning a diversity seminar. I sat on this board as the marketing executive. This was my first experience with marketing to such a large area. This Google Group made everything much easier. To begin, everyone was able to be in easy and constant contact through the organized discussion boards. The convient thing about the discussion boards is they are organized with a title, it is not a continious board. This is very important when trying to find specific information. It was also very helpful that all members have the ability to upload files as well as give feedback to other members and their files. For me it was convenient to upload the brochures onto the page and therefore each member of the group could print however many they needed to distrubute. I feel this tool is very efficient. It allows many people with hectic schedules to still find ways of communicating effectively without having to meet.