Overview:

Google Hangouts is an application that allows multiple people to communicate through messages, video, or voice calls.  In a world of collaboration, Hangouts provides the means for up to fifteen people anywhere to work together.  Unique built-in features make it useful for educators.

• Face-to-face contact with high-definition video and sound provide a quality experience
• Automatic screen focuses on whomever is speaking
• Minimal background noise and "intelligent muting" 
• Easy-to-use interface from phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop
• Built-in screen share accommodates slide shows and online tutorials
• Built-in chat for added accessibility
• Activate from Google Calendar with just one click
• Custom Administrative control ensures privacy 

Video: 

Uses:

• Online office hours
• Tutoring
• Study groups  
• Parent-teacher conferences 

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Free
• Mobile compatible
• Can be used to make phone calls
• Can be used to send text messages 

Cons:

• Does not work when using Internet Explorer and Windows 8 combined
• Possibly needs a combination of Google plugins and the Hangout app which can be tricky to navigate
• Does not work with all microphones, webcams, and audio devices 

Alternatives:

AnyMeeting: AnyMeeting is another software for synchronous communication, including VOIP, webcam, screen-sharing, textual chat, and archiving capabilities.   It is free for meetings of up to four people; otherwise, users must have a paid account.

Blackboard Collaborate: Collaborate is a virtual classroom software for synchronous communication.  It includes VOIP, webcam, screen-sharing, white board, textual chat, and archiving capabilities.  

GoToMeeting: GoToMeeting is another software for synchronous communication, including VOIP, webcam, screen-sharing, textual chat, and archiving capabilities.  There are a couple pricing plans available.

Skype: Skype is a free software for synchronous communication, including VOIP, webcam, and screen-sharing capabilities.

WebEx: WebEx is another software for synchronous communication, including VOIP, webcam, screen-sharing, white board, textual chat, and archiving capabilities.  It is free for meetings of up to three people; otherwise, users must have a paid account.

Resources:  

Google (n.d.). Google Hangouts Help Center. Retrieved from https://support.google.com/hangouts/?hl=en#topic=2944848.

Null, Christopher (2014). The Top 5 Reasons Why Google Hangouts Never Works.  

     Retrieved from http://www.pcworld.com/article/2883313/the-top-5-reasons-why-google-hangouts-never-works.html 

Swallow, Meredith (2014, November 12). Leveraging Google Calendar in the Classroom. Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education.

     Retrieved from http://tiie.w3.uvm.edu/blog/leveraging-google-calendar-in-the-classroom/#.VZrhI_lVhBc.