Google+Wave+Applications

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=Key Features of the Wave for use in Education = 
 * Synchronicity  - the wave can be added to both synchronously and asychronously. If two or more collaborators in a wave are online, in most cases they will actually see each other typing and editing.
 * **Asynchronicity** - Comments, and edits are recorded and stored. Collaborators who aren't online when changes are made, can see the edits and any changes when they do get online. They can see how the wave has developed in a chornological order.
 * Embeddability  - instead of attaching (like email) extensions can be dragged and dropped into the wave. It is envisaged that in time, many web 2.0 tools will have API's (applications) developed that allow them to be embedded into Google Wave. It is also possible to embed a wave into a blog or a website.
 * Wiki style editing  - collaborators in a wave are free to add/edit or delete content in a wave freely.
 * Playback  - this function allows you to see the wave from the beginning. This is useful for many reasons. It allows us to track who has made what contributions.
 * **Functional Gadgets and Robots** - There are numerous extensions already available for use with Google Wave. Almost any type of iGoogle gadget is compatible. These gadgets range from games such as Sudoku, Google Maps, Lonely Planet Trip planners, Mind-Mapping tools, Video-conferencing, "Flickr" photo sharing, "Twitter" instant messaging, "Yes, No, Maybe" polling gadgets, and a weather tool.

This wave from Google which discusses the many extensions already available for Google Wave. As Google has also provided an extension installer for developers, it is likely that extensions to fit multiple purposes will be written, especially when wave is fully available to the public.
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Even though Wave is still in its development phase, many technology and education bloggers have already commented on its possible uses. Google Wave is first and foremost a communication and collaboration tool. Because it requires no special equipment or software other than a computer with an internet connection and a web browser it is very accessible to educators. As Wave and its extensions are further developed, its potential uses will multiply dramatically. Here are some ideas that others have come up with for using Google Wave that could be adapted for education:

=Key Uses and Applications for Education =  Wave can be read and edited in a true multimedia fashion by anyone who has an account and is accepted as a collaborator in a wave. It is also possible to add users to a wave at any point in its development. This gives educators the possibility of working as a group both within and outside of the educational establishment. This includes potential to easily collaborate with others from other countries/cultures. To facilitate collaboration between people with different languages the Rosy extension can easily translate from one language to another as you type.

An interesting difference between wave and static text is that any part of the dialogue can be added to either by editing the content in-line or commenting on the content by adding a blip. This gives collaborators the flexibility to collaboratively create large blocks of text (which might be later posted to a blog) or have a conversation in instant messaging style. A list of potential uses from an educational standpoint are listed below. These have been compiled from the numerous blogs and waves that tackle Wave as an educational tool (All listed in the bibliography). 

**//Collaborative Note-taking//**
Google Wave could be used in a number of ways as a class (or small-group) note-taking tool. The users in the collaboration group can simultaneously work on recording class notes during classes - each student picks up on different points and/or themes and contributes in real-time. It may be used as a collaborative set of notes where one person is deemed with the responsibility of recording the notes for each class. The benefit of using Wave is the added functionality while completing a document. Participants may look up difficult or technical words using the in-built google search engine, inserts relevent media such as maps, articles, web links, etc as the notes are being recorded. An added benefit of the wave is it's function as a "backchannel" - literally a conversation that reinforces the information being transmitted in a class. As notes are being recorded, students, tutors, or teachers may comment on, question, or discuss what has been happening during the class. This backchannel discussion may reinforce the content of the class or lecture. Notes can be easily rewritten, commented on, revised and fact checked before being published as an official record. Even those that don't make it to class will be able to participate in the note taking channel. However, some commentators<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> believe that there is a danger that the less motivated students would be able to take advantage of the students that actively engaged in the wave notetaking process. It may be possible to rotate the notetaking around the group, or do notetaking in small groups to overcome this. Wave collaboration brings up the question of how much students are working together versus how much they are being graded against each other. Although it is possible to monitor participation in the wave via the playback feature, requirements that students contribute to the wave may result in quantity of contribution over quality. It seems that the design of assessments will need to be weighted less on the regurgitation of knowledge and more on the critical engagement with that knowledge, since the knowledge will already be present on the wave. This video<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> shows an interesting example using google wave for collaborative note taking.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">**//Meetings//**
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The agenda for a group meeting (including project group, school council, etc) could be set up via a wave, allowing all the meeting participants to contribute. It may even be possible to discuss many of the items on the agenda before the meeting, which could save timewasting. An example wave showing this process is available here<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">. Alternatively it could be possible to hold a virtual meeting using discussion blips and the video chat extension. It may also be useful to record the minutes of each meeting in the same wave. Wave allows participants to link to different parts of the document, such as a specific meeting date or section of document from the initial blip so that it is easy to navigate around the wave content. Additional group planning tools that could be used is a shared calendar, mind-mapping tools, project planners etc.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">**//Group Scripts (Stories, Reports, School Newsletters Etc)//**
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Google wave is ideal for writing group scripts bringing together the functionality of a wiki, with the real time possibility for online discussion, or asynchronous commenting. After the final version has been agreed on in the wave, it can then be published to a blog, a printed document, a website, or a wiki easily. Participants may be assigned sections of the final document to complete individually, alternatively all members may collaborate on all parts of the document as they identify further information. Key group members may be responsible for editing, visual media, formatting, information checking etc.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">**//Breaking down Language and/or Geographic Barriers//**
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Anyone with a wave account can be invited to collaborate in a wave. This give students and educators alike the ability to participate in and access a huge range of information sources not otherwise available to them due to either geographic or language barriers.As a tool for languages or humanities subjects, wave can cross language barriers with the Rosy bot which provides full translations of blips that are written. Despite geographic isolation, students and teachers may collaboate on events, projects, or curriculum resources. Wave may be used to exchange Information between schools and students in other countries or regions, to set up regional cluster collaboration on projects, or conduct interviews in realtime with industry experts.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">**//Lesson or Activity Planning//**
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Google Wave could facilitate co-operative lesson or unit planning between departments or individual teachers. It could be possible to involve students in planning upcoming lessons, by suggesting topics, writing questions to be covered, revision topics, or identifying prior learning. Students and teachers may also use wave as a reflective forum to dicuss what could improve lessons for the next time.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">**//Collaborative Film-making//**
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">In his blog<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">, Johnathon Poritsky describes how the film making process could be revolutionized using Google Wave. In the Google demo, as one user drags and drops images into the wave, they become immediately available to the other users. This process could be automated for video editing, with multiple users being able to edit a piece of video while discussing changes in text at the same time. The playback feature could then be used to revert to previous cuts.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">**//Class Projects//**
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The possibilities of using Google Wave for class projects are enormous. With its ability to merge waves into each other, utilize multimedia and connect with any wave user, class projects could take on a whole new e-learning perspective either in addition to or instead of in-class activity. Because the project lives whether the participants are together or not, the educational benefit would be greatly enhanced. For example it would be possible for a group of students to shoot some video and do a write up of a weekend event and post it to the wave long before the next class. Or a geography class could plan a trip using the trippy and map extensions and write about the terrain they will encounter during the trip.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">**//Debates//**
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">A proposition could be set up in wave, with some ground rules for teams to post for's and against's. Each team can put their arguments forward in real time, and support their argument by multimedia. The whole class or 'audience' may be required to vote Yes/No/Maybe gadget before any points are posted, and then again once all for's and against's are published. This gives a good grasp on changing opions and how effective the arguments put forward were.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">**//Planning Conferences, Trips, or Events//**
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">An event wave could be set up to set to include the venues, speakers, workshops, catering, activities, costs, packing lists, etc. This could even be made available to teachers, students, parents, or conference-goers for their input far in advance of the actual event. All presentations, discussions, the twitter backchannel and participants comments could be incorporated in real time - meaning that all involved parties have complete information and a direct line of contact with organisers to clarify points.

**//Presentation Planning//**
Groups can work together on a presentaion. Each blip can represent one slide including any images or charts required. Any repiles to these blips may signify relevat speaking or presentation notes. When all parties are happy with the presentation the information can easily be inserted into a presentation. ====//**Consolidation of Online Tools**// <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Wave may enable teachers to consolidate their use of online delivery of course content by using the wave instead of e-portfolios, wikis, blogs, IM, and social networking. This may enable greater links between home and school if parents can comment or view work that students are doing in class. ====

**//Co-Curricular Activities//**
Many students pressed for time between part-time jobs, study commitments, and busy social lives, may be more likely to contribute to discussions on school activities, planning, or interest groups if they ae able to contribute around other commitments. For example, movie or book club groups may be facilitated, debate preparation, event planning, sport-trip planning, fundraising, etc.

**//Distance Learning//**
Educators involved in distance learning may wish to utilise the unique functionality of Wave for course delivery. This could apply to distance tertiary study, correspondence school for remote students, or rural schools collaborating on specialist subjects.

**//Continuation of Class in Unforseen Circumstances//**
When students cannot attend school for various reasons, such as snow-days, school facility closures, or flu or medical outbreaks, wave could be an effective mode of lesson delivery. Students are able to interact with teacher and classmates while not physically in attendance. This could allow the continuation of important classes while students cannot physically attend, thereby ensuring their education is not hindered by the circumstances.

**//Inclusion of non-native speakers in the class activity//**
Students who are having difficulty communicating verbally in class may find it easier to communicate and interact using wave. Using the Rosy language translation bot, student can translate difficult comments into their native language and continue discussions in the main language. Particularly useful for schools who have a high level of international students, bilingual students, or ESOL classes.