All of this connectivity had an initial downside. Almost immediately, outcry over privacy on Google Buzz was raised. Private information was widely available, and that caused immediate concerns. The good news is that the widespread panic caused Google to make changes to its set-up, and now Buzz can be adjusted to rectify most of the privacy problems. Now that Google has done its tinkering, and many social media mavens have had their say, Buzz is being considered for its usefulness. While Google Buzz isn’t for everyone, it can be a helpful tool in a number of settings, including education.

If you are looking for an innovative way to connect with students, especially in an online learning situation, here are some ways that you can take advantage of the features offered by Google Buzz:

Create Education Groups

Google Buzz allows you to create different groups, based on shared interests. It is also possible to set up private groups on Buzz so that you are not sharing group information with outsiders. This is one of the most useful features of Buzz for educators. You can create individual groups for each course you teach. Additionally, if you are working on class projects, you can set up small groups and monitor how they are working together. Here are the steps to creating a private group and sending messages using Google Buzz:

1. In your Gmail account, go to “Contacts”.
2. Click on “New Group” and create a name for the group.
3. Add members’ emails to this group.
4. Go to Buzz and click in the message box.
5. Look below the box to see the drop down. Switch from “Public on Web” to “Private”.
6. Click on “Post to a group” and check the appropriate box.
7. Write your message and click “Post”.

Of course, the major drawback is that all of those in the class group or course have to have their own Gmail accounts and access to Buzz in order to coordinate projects and discuss class items using this social media tool.

Collaborate on Projects

Using the ability to set up groups in Gmail and in Buzz, it is possible to use Buzz to collaborate on education projects. Indeed, Buzz is set up so that conversations can take place on a variety of subjects. This allows students to collaborate with each other, sharing files and information. Google Buzz allows for the sharing of pictures, documents (Google Docs can be used easily with Gmail and Buzz), and research links with each other. This can make collaboration fast and easy.

On top of this, it is possible for others in the group to easily follow the thread of conversation, something that can be quite difficult on Twitter when you have groups of people trying to read what others are saying. Buzz keeps related conversations together, so it is easy to see what other group members have contributed to class projects. Every post has the option to insert a link or photo. With Google Docs, you receive a link that you can put in this section (or just share the doc with everyone in your group).

Class Discussion

For distance education, Google Buzz can be great for facilitating class discussion. It is easy for online educators to upload class materials so that class members can see them using Buzz. Then it is possible to discuss the materials with class members. Class members can comment on their own time schedule as well, easily pulling up what they are looking for by post discussion, and seeing what others have said. Then they can add their own comments.

Google Buzz also makes it easy to answer questions students might have. A student can post a question, and the teacher can answer it — allowing everyone in the group to see the answer. This can be an effective way for those who might have similar questions to have them answered quickly and easily without having to email the instructor separately. Filtering improvements should help increase the efficiency of this process.

The fact that you can do this with more than 140 characters (as with Twitter), and the fact that you don’t have to enter individual “friends” for each message (as with Facebook) make Buzz quite convenient. Comments, questions and explanations can be as long as necessary, and illustrative media is readily available.

Course and Assignment Updates

It is possible for you to quickly and easily send out course and assignment updates to everyone in your class using Google Buzz. If you need to make changes to an assignment, cancel a class meeting, or set up a special online class chat, you can use Buzz to quickly let everyone in your group know. You can also post information on extra credit assignments, or let students know when their grades are available.

You can also notify students when you have a new video lecture up. The “Insert Link” feature allows you to insert a link from YouTube and have the video show up as something playable immediately. You can also connect your YouTube account to Buzz, so that every time you upload a new video, it is automatically disseminated to all of your followers.

Drawbacks to Google Buzz

Even with the privacy upgrades to Buzz, there are still some concerns. One of them is that in some cases there is an “all or nothing” approach, making it difficult to make some things public and some things private. Another downside to Google Buzz in terms of privacy is that when you use Buzz on mobile devices, it can show your location to followers. You might not want classmembers knowing exactly where you are.

And, of course, in order for Google Buzz to be effective in education, all of those taking your course must have a Gmail account and use it regularly. That’s no real hardship, since it is free, but some online students may not be too keen on getting a new email account just to take a class.

In the end, though, Google Buzz offers some interesting possibilities, especially for those looking to beef up their online education offerings.

General E-Learning Blogs

If you have a passion for learning, you can take advantage of these e-learning blogs that offer tips, techniques and valuable resources for those who are interested in self-directed learning using the power of the Internet.

1. Moving at the Speed of Creativity presents information and helpful podcasts on more effective e-learning.
2. Internet Time Blog provides helpful e-learning resources. This is especially geared at business e-learning, but is useful nonetheless for all online learners.
3. Clive on Learning offers an insightful look about learning, and provides helpful hints to improving the way you engage in self-directed learning.
4. elearnspace looks at the way people learn, and offers resources and news about e-learning.
5. Learning and Technology offers an interesting look at how technology can help us be better learners. This blog includes information and resources, as well as discussion, on e-learning.
6. E-Learning Queen focuses on how it is possible to use the Internet as a learning tool and resource.
7. Stephen’s Web contains a number of interesting resources and information on e-learning and self-directed education.
8. XplanaZine provides a contemporary look at education and learning online.
9. Learning Reflections presents thoughtful posts and analysis on e-learning, and offers resources and help.
10. Online Education Blog is a resource that provides information on online colleges, degrees and learning.

Learning Theory

Technology has allowed us to advance in the way we think about learning. The reason that you learn differently from someone else may have bearing on how you perform. Online learning allows you to learn in a way that suits you best. Here are some blogs about learning theory and e-learning.

11. Informal Learning Blog is just what it sounds like — a blog devoted to helping those learn informally.
12. Random Walk in Learning focuses on the ideas behind learning, and how to apply thoughts on learning to self-directed education.
13. 2 Cents Worth provides insight into how the current landscape affects learning.
14. Learning Curves offers insight into the different ways that we learn, and how to learn according to our individual needs.
15. abject learning looks at social learning and the impact it can have on how effectively we receive education.
16. Learnlets provides interesting observations on information processing and other issues related to online education.
17. The Stingy Scholar offers information and resources on how you can learn on your own, for free, using the Internet.
18. McGee’s Musings focuses on learning innovation and how to improve the way we learn.

Technology and Online Education

Technology offers amazing opportunities to enhance the way we learn. Even more traditional learning set-ups can use technology to engage in online education. Here are some blogs about online education technology.

19. Remote Access offers some helpful information on technology that can help any number of people access education resources, no matter where they are.
20. Ed-Tech Insider provides helpful information for those who are looking for ways to incorporate online education into the learning environment.
21. Weblogg-ed focuses on how online learning can complement other types of learning.
22. Derek’s Blog looks at how technology can impact learning, and how it can enhance education.
23. The Tech Savvy Educator contains a wealth of information on integrating online education with offline learning.
24. Beth’s Thoughts on Technology in Education offers a great deal of information on learning and how online education tools can help increase the efficiency.
25. A Teacher’s Life follows a teacher in her efforts to use online learning and technology to enhance learning in the offline world.
26. The Thinking Stick provides information on online technology and how it can improve the classroom learning experience.
27. Infomancy offers tips on how to find learning tools and information using online means.
28. Techlearning Blog contains resources and insights into online education and learning.

Internet Tools and Online Education

If you are looking for Internet tools that can help you better employ online education and learning, you can visit these blogs to find out more about what’s available to you.

29. Bionic Teaching offers information on Internet tools and resources that you can use in your e-learning efforts.
30. learning.now provides excellent tools and information focused on online education. Hosted by PBS.
31. Leigh Blackall focuses on offering up Internet tools that can help with your online education.
32. absolutely intercultural! is a blog/podcast focusing on intercultural issues in education, and providing great tools and resources for e-learners.
33. Infinite Teaching Machine contains tools and resources for online learning and education. Indludes multimedia.
34. Full Circle Interaction Blog looks at the skills and tools necessary to collaborate for online learning, as well as offline learning.
35. Digital Writing, Digital Teaching focuses on using the Internet for learning about writing and redading. Offers a number of tools and resources.

Online Education Help for Teachers

Teachers often need help when preparing lessons. Whether teaching Internet courses, or teaching in the “real” world, online education resources can be very helpful for teachers.

36. The Open Classroom provides insight and information on online learning and teaching methods.
37. Wicked Decent Learning offers tips and techniques for using technology and the Internet for more effective teaching.
38. A Difference focuses on making changes to math education, providing a great online resource for teachers.
39. Infocult contains information on trends in education and tips for teachers on how to implement learning strategies.
40. Artichoke provides helpful information and insight education, and includes some great online tools for teachers.
41. Cool Cat Teacher Blog offers information on how to use new tools and methods as a teacher.
42. Teachers Teaching Teachers is a place where educators can meet online to share information, tools and methods.
43. dougbelshaw.com provides education technology tools and information, as well as resources for teachers.

Education Policy and News

Find out the latest goings on in education. These great blogs offer insight into education policy and news — including some of the latest happenings in online education.

44. D-Ed Reckoning offers a look at instruction practices and education policy.
45. Practical Theory looks at the way things are in classrooms and offers insight on how some education problems can be fixed.
46. Change Agency focuses on reinventing education — including how it can be changed by the Internet and other technology.
47. Education Intelligence Agency provides a look at different influences in education, including the impact of online education.
48. Schools Matter looks at the issues that affect education policy. It even explores the purpose of schools and even suggests different alternatives.
49. This Week in Education offers regular updates on what’s going on in the world of online, and offline, education.
50. Eduwonk follows the latest education developments and provides commentary on policy.