David Fetterman on Google Glass Part I: Redefining Communications

David Fetterman“Ok, glass.” That’s how you activate Google Glass. I’m David Fetterman and that’s me to the right wearing Google Glass. I’m an empowerment evaluation synergist and consultant, busy father and spouse, and owner of Fetterman & Associates.

Rad Resource – Google Glass: Google Glass is a voice and gesture activated pair of glasses that lets you connect with the world through the internet. You can take a picture, record a video, send a message, listen to music, or make a telephone or video call – all hands free.

Hot Tips – Redefining Communications: Google Glass is not just another expensive (currently about $1500) gadget. It can free us up to do what we do best – think, communicate, facilitate, and, in our case, assess. Here is a brief example.

I said “Ok, Glass,” then “make a call to Kimberly James.” She is a Planning and Evaluation Research Officer I am working with at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Kimberly asked how the evaluation capacity building webinar is coming along. Via Glass, I took a screenshot and mailed it to her so we can discuss it. When a colleague is mentioned, with a few swipes of my finger on the frame, I find a picture on the web, and miraculously remember who we are talking about.

Mid-conversation, Kimberly needed to step away briefly. While on hold, I sent a note to colleagues in Arkansas to ask them to check on the data collection for our tobacco prevention empowerment evaluation.

Kimberly returned to the call and we discussed a recent survey. With a simple request, the display of our results appeared, reminding me what the patterns look like.

Did I mention that I did all of these things while making lunch, picking up my son’s clothes off the floor, letting the dogs out, and emptying the dishwasher?

Later in the day, with a tap on the frame, I confirmed our scope of work with Linh Nguyen, the Vice President of Learning and Impact at the Foundation, while dropping my son off for piano lessons.

Later in the week I plan to use Google Hangout to videoconference with another colleague using Glass. When she connects during a project site visit, she will be able to take pictures and stream video of her walk around the facilities, bringing me closer to the “hum and buzz” of site activities.

Lessons Learned:

Respect people’s privacy – do not wear Google Glass where it is not wanted, will put people off, or will disrupt activities. Do not take pictures without permission. Remove it when you enter a bathroom.

Rad Resources

Hot Tip: Stay tuned for Part II tomorrow when I will cover using Google Glass as an evaluation tool.

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