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Using interactive web conferencing software to teach in two places at the same time

Computers in Libraries 2007

April 17, 2007

Pam Enrici penrici@d.umn.edu

Sharon Brown sbrown@nyam.org

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How we used BREEZE(now called ADOBE® CONNECT) to train synchronously two labs,

one in Duluth, one in Minneapolis on September 18-19 2006.

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Presented by Co-Host

PAM ENRICI Engineering & Medical LibrarianUniversity of Minnesota, Duluth

&Co-Trainer

SHARON BROWNNational Training Center & ClearinghouseNational Network of Libraries of Medicine

National Library of Medicine

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The Trainers:National Training Center and Clearinghouse (NTCC)

The mission is to advance the biomedical information resources developed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) by providing equal access to these information resources through the NTCC training program.

Training (free) is available to health professionals, members of the general public, however, librarians and information specialists remain the primary clientele.

Databases offered • PubMed® (7.5 MLA CE)

• NLM Gateway/ClinicalTrials.gov(3.5 MLA CE)

• TOXNET®(6 MLA CE)

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HostUniversity of Minnesota

University of Minnesota offers programs in medicine and allied health to both undergraduates and graduate students.

Both the Twin Cities and Duluth campus have medical and pharmacy programs. We needed the NLM training on both campuses.

Hospital librarians in both areas were able to attend training because it was in two locations.

The University of Minnesota has been using the Breeze conferencing system, so it seemed natural to utilize it for PubMed and Gateway classes, the two appropriate database classes for our setting.

We had two choices for teaching the classes synchronously. Why did we choose Breeze instead of using ITV?

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Web Based vs. ITV*

• Web-basedCost – standard computer equipment; cost will depend on softwareProduction Values – as good and as bad as your equipment and

people involvedFlexible – easily scheduled on the spur of the moment

• ITV is BroadcastCost – expensive, specialized equipment neededProduction Values – can be excellent (or as bad) as the equipment

and people involvedScheduling satellite time can be difficult or even scheduling local time

either on closed circuit or a channel

*Interactive Television

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A selected list of interactive web conferencing software:

The most well known software:• LiveMeeting (Microsoft)• Breeze (Adobe® Connect) (The Univ. of MN. has a Breeze contract)• Webex

Examples of other software available:• Talking Communities• iVocalize• Centra• iMeeting• Many other software programs are available

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The Hosts’ Challenge:Coordinating two campuses 150 miles apart and two sets of labs

We responded by:

Learning Breeze software;

Equipping both labs;

Scheduling labs and people;

Arranging computer connectivity log-ins and other lab protocols.

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How did the host:

Learn the software? We learned and practiced Breeze commands.

Equip the labs to use Breeze? We purchased, installed, and tested camera and microphone.

Schedule both labs and people? We held 10+ dry runs which required patience and flexibility.

Arrange computer connectivity log-ins and other lab protocols? We worked with the Information Systems staff on both campuses.

Prepare to use the technology in the labs?

We visited the labs one day prior to class to familiarize ourselves with cameras, microphones and computers and tested the Breeze software.

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The Trainers’ Challenge:Coordinating the training on two campuses 150 miles apart and two sets of labs

We responded by:

Learning Breeze software;

Familiarizing ourselves with both labs;

Scheduling practice sessions.

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How did the trainers:

Learn the software?We attended a three hour Adobe Connect (formerly Breeze) class offered by NIH’s CIT’s Web Collaborative Services.

Adapt the class for distance learning?We re-examined the PubMed ® and Gateway content and adapted

the instruction for conferencing software.

Schedule practice sessions with all appropriate people involved?We collaborated with the hosts who modeled patience and flexibility

to schedule and participate in 10+ dry-runs.

Prepare to use the technology in the labs?We visited the labs one day prior to class to familiarize ourselves with cameras, microphones and computers and tested the Breeze software.

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Students were able to watch the screen, follow the instruction with hands-on use at their own computers, and do practice exercises with a instructor in each lab to provide feed-back.

There was a live webcam image of the trainer broadcast to the remote site.

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This is a screen shot of what was projected.

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The next slide is the computer lab used in the session in Duluth

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University of MinnesotaBio-Medical Library Information Commons

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This pass protected clip shows a short segment of the actual class, blemishes and all.

https://breeze5.umn.edu/p78323409/

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Participants evaluationof the technology

The most common complaint was with sound quality and switching between sites.

Quotes:• “Felt like a daylong Verizon commercial … ‘Can you

hear me now?’”• Couldn’t hear the discussion at the other site• The more you do it the better it will get

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With Thanks tothe Dynamic Duo in the Twin Cities

Co-HostCindy Gruwell

Coordinator of Library Instruction/EducationBiomedical Library

University of Minnesota (Twin Cities Campus)

Co-TrainerMary Keil

National Training Center & ClearinghouseNational Network of Libraries of Medicine

National Library of Medicine

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These slides will be available at:

http://www.d.umn.edu/~penrici/cil2007/presentation.ppt