I was able to squeak in using Google Hangout before the end of my debate class. The students who piloted using Google Hangout for the class were 11th and 12th grade students. They used the hangout as a place to plan and store evidence for their upcoming debate. One aspect they liked was the fact that they could easily and quickly contact all member (because they only had a limited of hangout friends). However, they had previously been using a group chat to plan and organize outside of the classroom. As this is the method they were most comfortable with their were reluctant to change. This is definitely a communication method that would need to be introduced early and used regularly so that students feel comfortable using it.
This is an area that I know I can continue to grow and develop to help my students easily communicate outside of the classroom.