‘Wave’ of the Future

New Google application could breathe new life into online learning

February 3rd, 2010
By Marianne Payne
News Reporter

Google Wave is the product of developers setting out to create what email would look like if it were invented today.

Forty years after its birth, email is revamped with drag-and-drop functionality, greater emphasis on multimedia, and limitless possibilities for third party extension apps. Instead of relying on attachments and screenshots, a Google Wave user (or waver) can embed web pages, drag-and-drop in media, create a process map, or instantly translate text into another language.

“We are moving toward a true multimedia document,” said Ray Schroeder, director of the UIS Center for Online Learning, Research and Service (COLRS). “Google Wave takes the kind of Web 2.0 tools many of us use independently and puts them on one platform.”

Google Wave is intended to eventually replace Gmail, and therefore is expected to grow to similar prominence. Schroeder has been instrumental in introducing Google Wave to UIS and to the greater world of academia with visions of “revolutionizing the term paper” and group projects.

“UIS is a leader in the field of online learning,” said Schroeder, who is advising other universities on Google Wave and presenting at multiple engagements nationally.

The free technology opens the door to collaboration with multiple classrooms and countries, according to Schroeder. He first experimented with the tool in his “Internet in American Life” course by giving students the opportunity to collaborate with energy studies students at the Institute of Technology in Sligo, Ireland. The two classes met in a wave to discuss the Internet’s impact on the perception of energy sustainability.

Google describes its product as “equal parts conversation and document”. A wave is similar to a discussion thread that is live, meaning participants can see editing in real time.

Google Wave limits the conversation to one living document, seeking to eliminate traditional email’s issues of multiple chains of participants dropping in and out with only partial understanding of the topic.

The living document also contains a playback feature, which allows users to trace the history of the wave to recover deleted items and see who said what when. Schroeder thinks this feature could play a part in group assignments.

“When it comes to group projects, there is not a faculty member that hasn’t heard the ‘I did all the work…he didn’t…she didn’t…I should get the A’,” Schroeder said. “The playback tool allows us to see what really takes place in group work.”

Google extended a preview version last September to 100,000 users, who were granted the ability to invite additional testers. Munindra Khaund, Multimedia Education Coordinator for Information Technology Services, has also dabbled with the platform.

“I’m playing in the sandbox right now,” Khaund said. He observes a fairly simple interface that should prove intuitive to those familiar with other Google products.

“It’s a very seamless conversation that takes place,” he said. “It is a great element for brainstorming.”

Greg Bishop, the student video lab teaching assistant and graduate student, has also previewed Google Wave. Bishop hopes to convince the local political organization he works with to use the collaboration tool for organizing rallies.

“I think it is a great application,” Bishop said. “Google has the ability to let you access everything in your personal and professional life just by using a web browser and not a $500 dollar program required on everyone’s computer.

"My favorite part is that it is Google. All the Google products out there are so versatile and intertwined.” Bishop said. He adds that he doesn’t always support Google as a corporation, citing its treatment of privacy issues.

“It’s a shame for me to say that I overlook the issues I have with Google just to use their technology,” he said.

Request an invitation at googlewave.com.