{"id":1634,"date":"2014-08-27T08:10:09","date_gmt":"2014-08-27T12:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/?p=1634"},"modified":"2018-09-19T13:21:50","modified_gmt":"2018-09-19T17:21:50","slug":"getting-started-with-google-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/getting-started-with-google-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting started with Google+ Communities"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s all about your Personal Learning Network (PLN)<\/h2>\n

Google+ communities are becoming a major way for educators to get inspired by other classrooms, get tech questions answered and make personal and professional connections.<\/p>\n

Jump in and get started!<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Getting<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

To get started with Communities, head over to your Google+ profile click on the Home<\/strong> button at the top lefthand side of the screen, just under the word Google+. Under the drop-down menu, click on Communities<\/strong>, and you’ll see a screen similar to the photo above. This screen will show all the Communities you’re subscribed to.<\/p>\n

Find a Community based on your interests<\/h3>\n

When you’re looking at your Communities feed, up in the top right-hand corner you’ll see a Search bar. It does exactly that, so go in and type in your interests, see who else is out there. A couple of fun edtech Communities to start with are iPadEd<\/a>, Project-Based Learning<\/a> and the 1:1 EDU Community<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When you find a Community that seems interesting, don’t be shy about joining. Do it! DO EEEET. It won’t trigger a klaxon alarm or a bell or anything, you’ll just see that Community icon listed next time you check your Communities feed.<\/p>\n

Okay, you’re\u00a0in. Now what?<\/h3>\n

Now’s the fun part!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Getting<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Community posts are listed on the right side of the screen, with most recent first. In the uppermost right-hand box, you’ll write your posts. Just jot down a few words and feel free to include a link or a video, or an announcement for an event you’re hosting.<\/p>\n

On the left side you’ll see\u00a0an info box about the Community, as well as a Search bar, so you can tell whether the information you’re looking for has been covered in an earlier discussion.<\/p>\n

+1 for good behavior<\/h3>\n

\"Getting<\/a><\/p>\n

Google+ Communities run on +1s:<\/p>\n