Web Conferencing
What is Web Conferencing?
Web conferencing is a term that describes a synchronous, electronic environment in which meetings, trainings, or presentations can take place. A participant engages with other participants through the use of either a personal computer or a lectern computer projected to a class.
Typical features found in a web conferencing service:
- Real-time video streaming
- Real-time audio streaming
- Whiteboard
- Screen sharing
- Application sharing
- Text chat
- Surveys
Source: Wikipedia's Web Conferencing page
How is it used in education?
- The Evolution of Web Conferencing, Educause.
What are some resources?
- Web Conferencing Etiquette:
- Audio Best Practices, IT @ Cornell.
- Web Conferencing Best Practices, BT Conferencing.
Where is there help?
- WWU:
- BigBlueButton - WWU's course management system, Canvas, currently has an integrated web conferencing tool, BigBlueButton. Conferences allow for sharing of audio, video, and application-sharing/demoing. For further assistance, contact ATUS.
- Free Web Conferencing Services:
- Anymeeting - free online meetings for up to 200 people.
- Google Hangouts - free service supporting up to ten people at once.
- GoToMeeting - video, audio, and instant messaging conferencing with a 30 day trial, and $49/month price.
- Join.Me - free online meetings for up to 100 people.
- Skype - online video calling, phone and mobile calls, and instant messaging system. Most calls are free, international calls at a low price. Online meetings for up to 10 people. For a brief overview, click here.
- Yugma - free online meetings for up to 20 people.
- How-to Documentation
- Moderator's Reference Guide, Elluminate.
- Web Conferencing Overview, Dimdim.