Week 2.3: Introducing Google+

What exactly is Google+?
Google+, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and the like are all social networks. They’re designed to let you share up-to-the second updates, ideas, thoughts, links and media with your friends and the public. There are a few features which makes Google different from these other networks.

• Google has integrated Google+ with its other services (and continues to do so) e.g.Search, YouTube, Gmail and more.  Google+ is already built into services you use every day. You'll 
• Google+ uses the concept of circles (groups), and this differentiates it from Facebook for example as it allows users precise control over who sees what. 

A quick summary
Below is a Slideshare that covers:

•What is Google +
•Highlights of interesting features
•Circles•Your Google+ stream
•How to write a post
•How to receive a notification
•Benefits to education 

Get to know Google plus! from Fiona Beal

Task: complete your profile in Google+
If you have a Gmail account you automatically have a Google+ account and you'll see it on the top left navigation bar when you open your gmail account.  Take some time now to complete your profile. This is what people will see if they are searching for you. 

Further reading
1) Google + - what does it mean for education?
2) 27 ways to use Google+ to support education (a presentation)
3) Circle me up - exploring circles in Google+
4) 40+ Google tips for newbies
5) The Google+ 50
6) The Google plus project - a quick look
7) A livebinder of Google+ resources
8) Classroom uses for Google+