web conferencing overview handouts.ppt

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

Contact Information

Amy Ricci

aricci@wpi.edu

508-831-6149