This week we used our Google+ accounts to have a virtual class! It was a fun, practical way to use social media in the real world. Having class on my computer screen and seeing all my classmates and my professor made me feel like I was in some new science fiction movie! This is exactly the kind of thing that innovators in the social media world are making possible.
Our virtual class made me realize how many ways virtual media can connect people who otherwise might not have been connected. I also thought about how many opportunities something like a virtual class might give to people who might not have the means to attend a university. For example, I'm sure there are single parents all over the country who would love to get a degree but simply don't have the time or money to go away to school or pay for a daycare service. New technology, like the Google+ hangout feature, makes their goal more accessible. They would be able to do all of their work at home and still participate in an interactive classroom setting. It introduces an entirely new aspect to online schooling!
The picture above and below were both taken during one of Judge Dr. Chris' trials. The reason some members of the class were able to participate in the Google+ hangout from home rather than go to class is because we actually went to Charm City Cupcakes the week before. Everyone else who didn't make it to our on-location class had to be in class this week and go on trial for why they couldn't be there. Everyone in the hangout listened to the trials and were given the responsibility to determine if the accused was innocent or guilty. As you can see, we showed our support or conviction of the person on trial by giving Doc Chris a thumbs up or thumbs down. Most of them (especially the girls) had valid excuses and we let them off the hook!
I think that it was an innovative idea for Doc Chris to conduct a virtual class on Google+ hangout. It is an unbelievable concept that people from all over the country are able to connect on networks like Google+ in such a personal way. While engaging in social media can have its downsides, like lack of privacy, things like the Google+ hangout demonstrates the positive aspects of social media that, I believe, outweigh the negative. I bet if Romeo and Juliet had social media back in Shakespeare's time, all that silly confusion would have been cleared up and they would have lived happily ever after!
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