Say what you will about Google. Like it or hate it. In either case it is worthwhile sitting up to take notice of a recent trend. Google is paying attention to the online learning revolution. Personally, I think this is a good thing. Google, like Adobe and Open Source Developers have a long history of helping digital media users LEARN. Take a look at where Google is going….
Students seek real-time help and support as demonstrated by community use of Google Helpouts
I wrote about synchronous learning in a recent post where I suggested that technological applications have advanced to a point where real-time exchanges between students and instructor, students and students can be facilitated seamlessly, leading to improved quality and better outcomes in online learning. Real time interactions can fill the void frequently mentioned by students and educators—the absence of a personal connection, the human touch in online learning environments. My position is that synchronous, real-time exchanges will bring what we now call ‘distance learning’, or ‘online learning’ to a new level, where distance is no longer a barrier, and online learning becomes ‘learning’. Distance and the barriers associated with it will disappear.
In this post I review the Google Helpouts platform, launched by Google in late 2013 that provides a method for face-to-face learning via a video…
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All Things Moocable 
A quick stop in. I just noticed that I haven’t been getting notices of your posts here 😦 I thought you had refocused on other means of communication. I’ll be back 🙂
You are an amazing library of all things moocable. Thanks for all that you do to keep us informed, and thinking about where MOOCs might be going, and where we want them to be.
I agree that Google Helpouts is a good thing. I think that anything is a good thing that expands the reach of education.
Thank you Grace. I am replying to both your comments here BTW ;). I apologize for taking so long to get back to you here… it seems like life (and MOOCs) are evolving and changing at what feels like light speed. I haven’t stayed on top of this blog for a variety of reasons…still plan on getting on top of things here eventually. At the very least it is time for Spring Cleaning. In truth I have been doing a lot more reading and exploring than writing of late. I look forward to staying in touch!