Google+ Hangout: video chat and screenshare
Google+ Hangout allows you to carry out video chats of up to 9 people, and to share your screen provided that you have a Gmail account and have installed the software on your PC or Mac. (An app is also available on iPads and iPhones). You will also need a webcam, and a headset with microphone.
You may, for instance, want to use this for:
1- Video conversations (rather than telephone conversations) for regular catch-ups with a colleague working in a different location; or
2- Sharing your screen with a colleague to ask for help, or advice, or simply show something on your screen (rather than describe it in an email); or
3- 'Surgery office hour' meetings with students (I personally recommend no more than 2 students) if it's easier for you and/or your students to meet online rather than in person (You could combine this with Scheduler (see Topic 26) to set up timeslots); or
4- Your students to use if they have to show something to another student, or have been asked to collaborate or peer review a piece of work.
It is worth adding your contacts before your first Hangout session and adding a picture of yourself in your profile will help them find you more quickly.
You can start the video session by inviting and using the notifications to join.