GSE Web Conferencing PilotUsing Elluminate

Summer 2007

What is “web conferencing”?

• Web conferencing is a synchronous online delivery technology where facilitators and participants can communicate and collaborate together in real time.

• GSE is participating in a University-wide pilot around the use of web conferencing.

• At GSE, the web conferencing application in use is Elluminate.

Potential Uses of Web Conferencing

Academic uses:• Virtual guest speakers visiting bricks-and-mortar class sessions• Virtual class sessions for snow days and other emergencies • Virtual section meetings, office hours, and other consultations• Student collaboration/project work • Virtual faculty collaborations for research and other academic

but non-class related events

Administrative uses:• Online chats with prospective students, current students,

current staff, alums • Virtual meetings to collaborate on documents, walk through

slides, documents, web sites together• Virtual professional development and technical training

overviews• “Webinars” and other events

Web Conferencing Features

• Voiceover IP (VoIP)• Ability to walk through slides and visit web sites together• Application sharing, desktop sharing, and the ability to pass

control of applications to participants • A “virtual whiteboard” and annotation tools • Polling for both just in time and pre-planned polls • Emoticons that the participants can use to “virtually” raise their

hands, clap, or express mood • Online chat where the facilitator and participants can

communicate via text messages • Virtual breakout rooms for smaller group work • Optional web cam video of the facilitator and the ability to have

participants share their web cam video one at a time

Technical Details

• Cross-platform (i.e. PC, Mac, etc)

• Browser neutral (i.e. use IE, Firefox, Mozilla, etc)

• Need soundcard and speakers or headset with microphone and to download a plug-in

• Optimized for low bandwidth (as low as 56k)

• Hosted solution (i.e. uses Elluminate servers)

• Compliant with ADA accessibility compliance and other standards (more info)

• Can record events for playback at a later date (i.e. archiving) and use as source content for later digital asset development

What needs to happen?

Moderator:1. Meets with LTC to think through how to leverage the

platform for best learning for particular event, decide whether to use a “driver,” and work out other details

2. Completes online training and a brief system check

3. Shares session URL and tech details with participants

4. Joins the session!

Participant:1. Obtains headset with mic

2. Completes a brief system check

3. Joins the session!

A “Driver”

• Not mandatory but encouraged, esp. at first

• Extra set of hands

• Does not need to be in same physical location as moderator

• Administrative / technical role

• Driver could be TF, PITF, LTC staff, other staff, faculty member!

Cost

GSE Events So Far

• TIE program alumni chat

• S-030 virtual office hours

• ExEL planning meeting

• Consultation between Gutman librarians and USP students

• Career Services Office virtual sessions as part of their career planning online summer workshop

• Meeting between staff members from three departments, some on site and one off site

Feedback on First Event

It was a wonderful experience…I look forward

to participating in more events such as this one.

[I liked] being able to speak, listen, type, show some reactions (applause, confusion)

[I liked] emoticons and the ability to use text or VOIP.

I love being able to review the slides, chat, and listen to the

conversation as needed.

This was such a cool thing to participate in.

This was a great experience.

This was a fantastic

experience!

THANKS!

I really like this technology.