Google Plus unveiled brand pages for its social network last November, and colleges and universities have been looking for ways to use the service ever since.
Schools such as Georgia Tech, The University of Texas, and Cornell University, are creating Plus pages, circles and hangouts, to reach out to prospective students, promote student collaboration and keep the college community informed.
Education Dive put together this list so you can see how academic institutions are once again using Google's platform to improve teaching methods and streamline communications.
1. ANNOUNCE UNIVERSITY PUBLICATIONS
Georgia Tech is using Google Plus to inform students about the release of the newest volume of their undergraduate research journal “The Tower.” The Plus page announced the journal's release on Nov. 7, 2011, and just five days later provided a custom map to directs students to 12 different locations where they can purchase it.
2. COLLABORATE WITH COLLEAGUES
For student-to-student, teacher-to-teacher or student-to-teacher interactions, universities are using Google Plus to collaborate and share ideas. Boise State University’s Educational Technology Department created their Google Plus page to bring together individuals of the same program. Posts are geared toward teaching with mobile technology, yet there is a genuine desire to connect like-minded educators at a single institution.
3. KEEP OFF-CAMPUS COMMUNITIES UPDATED
Whitworth University’s Google Plus page serves to keep students, teachers, parents and alumni informed about the school’s current standing and its future goals. Posts range from the “Flashback Friday” series featuring photograph of students in 1962, to an announcement of the new vice president for admissions and financial aid, to construction updates on the new $6.6 million dining hall.
4. JUST HANG OUT
Google Plus’ creative “Hangout” feature allows up to 10 users to video chat, making it easy to hold face-to-face meetings. Think with Google hosted a hangout with Professor Jerry Wind of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania to discuss the rise of consumer-produced media, and techniques of information transmission. Hangout participants even have the option of leaving questions and comments for Wind upon signing up for the session. The university encourages staff members to use technology to extend learning beyond the classroom.
5. MANAGE CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
Clubs and universities, especially large ones, sometimes have a tough time reaching out to their student members, but the NWFSC Student Activities Google Plus page has found a solution to that problem. Northwestern Florida State College is encouraging their students to get involved in clubs and activities. The school makes information about new or revived clubs, such as the College Democrats Club, readily available, and provides contact information for their leaders who can then create a separate Google Plus page complete with hangouts and other amenities.
6. ATTRACT PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
It’s never too early for juniors in high school to begin their college tours, and Drake University has given college hopefuls a chance to take a good look at their campus with their Google Plus page. With 966 users in its circles, as well as other colleges and universities, Drake is able to reach out to prospective students by highlighting traditions, events, and outstanding professors unique to the school.
7. MEET WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
Congressman and Representative Hansen Clark hosted the first Congressional Google Plus Hangout last spring to discuss the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012 with six student leaders from Michigan universities. While the page itself isn’t hosted by a university, its participants play vital roles at their respective schools, and the topic of discussion is one of importance to higher education institutions nationwide.
8. PROMOTE ATHLETICS
The Texas Longhorns’ Google Plus page keeps supporters informed about the University’s athletic program. With promotional videos, individual athlete highlights, and promotional flyers, the University of Texas successfully keeps college sports fans in-the-know while showcasing the school’s sports teams.
9. STAY IN TOUCH WITH ALUMNI
Maintaining connections can be a challenge for any University. The Cornell Alumni Magazine via Google Plus makes it easy for the University to stay in touch with its former students by entering the circles of its Google Plus using alumni. The page highlights alumni accomplishments, and chronicles reunions and other events.
10. ENCOURAGE STUDYING ABROAD
The Arcadia Abroad Google Plus page encourages students to study abroad at one of their 22 sites, and allows stateside students to connect with their traveling peers. The page highlights students’ journeys and highlights Arcadia’s international impact while bringing in alumni testimonials.
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