I experimented using Google Hangouts this week briefly and have used it in previous years for attending webinars, meeting of the Association for Learning Technology and even presenting at a conference in Ireland a few years ago. This technology has really come on in terms of usability and simplicity in set up and with Google Hangouts it works in the browser. The advent of high speed internet access in most parts of the country makes the experiment and the use of text, voice and video make it a great tool for learning, meetings and conferences. I just like the fact it puts the power of broadcast into the hands of the common person. I can only imagine more higher education institutions and even schools who are Google Schools using it to collaboratively on projects.  What more can I say on this application, it’s just great, but it’s a Marmite tool, if you don’t like video, you might not use it, but you should!