web conferencing overview handouts.ppt
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Web Conferencing in Higher Education
Amy Ricci, WPI
Web Conferencing Industry
• Grew out of web-based chat and IM software
• NetMeeting introduced in late 1990s
• Initially focused on corporate market – many products still serve only corporations
• A few vendors are starting to address the needs of the educational market
What is Web Conferencing?
• Communication and collaboration for remote attendees
• Combines visual and audio interaction• Two-way interaction• Types of events
– Virtual meetings– Virtual classes– Web seminars/webinars– Webcasts– On-demand recordings
Web Conferencing Features
• Slide presentations• Multimedia playback• Document/file sharing• Application sharing• Shared whiteboards with annotation• Public and private text chat• Polls and surveys• Quizzes• Breakout rooms• Emoticons
Additional Features
• Recording and playback
• Event management
• User management
• Content management
• Reporting and tracking
Web Conferencing in Higher Education
• Distance Learning• Project-based work• Office hours and help sessions• Faculty and staff collaboration with colleagues• Access to off-campus experts• Connecting students with employers• Marketing and admissions• Student advising• Fundraising• Interviewing job applicants• Helpdesk support
Chickering & Gamson Principle
Teaching Practices Type of Practice
Student-faculty Contact Use of polling tools Tool-specific
Requiring student participation Pedagogical
Student-student cooperation Group work Pedagogical
Text chat Tool-specific
Active learning Asking questions Pedagogical
Application sharing Tool-specific
Use of polling tools Tool-specific
Prompt feedback Text chat Tool-specific
Use of polling tools Tool-specific
Time on task Stick to prepared schedule Pedagogical
Time all lectures/events Pedagogical
Communicate high expectations
Encourage student participation Pedagogical
Accommodate diverse learning styles
Use of voice, text, and chat tools Tool-specific
Use of application sharing Tool-specific
Shi, S. & B. Morrow. (2006). E-Conferencing for Instruction: What Works? Educause Quarterly, 29 (4), p. 42-49. http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eqm0646.pdf
Web Conferencing in Higher Education
• 45% of colleges have either video or web conferencing
• 30% of those allow access on and off campus
University Business, April 2006
Pros & Cons of Web Conferencing
• Pros– Real-time
communication– Access to remote
individuals– Dynamic presentations– Interactivity– Uses relatively simple
and common technology
• Cons– Bandwidth & compatibility– Time zone differences– Support issues– Attendee set-up can be
cumbersome– Audio quality– Accessibility issues– Administration issues – Lack of higher ed case
studies
Questions to Ask Internally
• What needs to be accomplished with the tool?• How many people will be connecting at one time?• What types of computers, operating systems, browsers,
and Internet connections do your end users have?• Do you want to install on your own server or have the
vendor host it for you?• How will it be administered?• What kind of support will you need? Are you prepared to
provide it or can the vendor provide it?
Looking at Vendors• Request a real-time demonstration• Request a temporary account• Does the vendor listen to your needs and take
action to address them?• Is the vendor knowledgeable about the higher
education market and other vendors in the market?
• What support is available and what is the response time?
• Does the vendor have educational references?
Pricing
• Hosted vs. local installation
• Pay-per-use vs. pay-per-user
• Concurrent users vs. unlimited users
• Contract duration
• Set-up fees
• Maintenance fees
• Overage charges
Vendors in Higher Education Market
• Centra
• Elluminate Live!
• Horizon Wimba
• Interwise ECP Connect
