Web Conferencing

Done by:- Amina Al-Manwari (86495) Sara Al-Qassmi (86416)

Sultan Qaboos UniversityCollege of Education

Department of Instructional & Learning Technologies

Outline

Definition of web conferencing.Objectives of using web conferencing in DE. Features and limitations web conferencing. Uses web conferencing in DE. Concerns of using web conferencing in DE. Example of web conferencing. Case study about using web conferencing in

DE.

Definition of Web conferencing

Web conferencing is used to conduct live meetings or presentations over the Internet. In a web conference, each participant sits at his or her own computer and is connected to other participants via the internet. This can be either a downloaded application on each of the attendees computers or a web-based application where the attendees will simply enter a URL (website address) to enter the conference.

Objectives of using web conferencing in DE

Provide real time communication with the instructors.

Enhance communication and collaboration among students.

Using different way for delivery the content( text, audio, pictures and video)

Finding a common time for class discussions with all students. Contacting with huge number of students by this technology. Support students’ understanding of the content. encourage students to engage with learning and support peer

activities

Features of Web Conferencing

allows real-time point-to-point communications as well as multicast communications from one sender to many receivers.

It offers information of text-based messages, voice and video chat to be shared simultaneously, across geographically dispersed locations.

cost saving.

Features of Web Conferencing

Slide show presentations - where images are presented to the audience and markup tools and a remote mouse pointer are used to engage the audience while the presenter discusses slide content.

Live or Streaming video - where full motion webcam, digital video camera or multi-media files are pushed to the audience.

Features of Web Conferencing

VoIP (Real time audio communication through the computer via use of headphones and speakers)

Web tours - where URLs, data from forms, cookies, scripts and session data can be pushed to other participants enabling them to be pushed though web based logons, clicks, etc. This type of feature works well when demonstrating websites where users themselves can also participate.

Features of Web Conferencing

Meeting Recording - where presentation activity is recorded on the client side or server side for later viewing and/or distribution.

Whiteboard  with annotation (allowing the presenter and/or attendees to highlight or mark items on the slide presentation. Or, simply make notes on a blank whiteboard.)

Text Chat- For live question and answer sessions, limited to the people connected to the meeting. Text chat may be public (echoed to all participants) or private (between 2 participants).

Features of Web Conferencing

Polls and surveys (allows the presenter to conduct questions with multiple choice answers directed to the audience)

Screen sharing/desktop sharing/application sharing (where participants can view anything the presenter currently has shown on their screen. Some screen sharing applications allow for remote desktop control, allowing participants to manipulate the presenters screen, although this is not widely used.)

Limitation of Web Conferencing

o Security BreachesThere's always some kind of security risk to communication carried out online. In addition to the threat of hackers, you'll also have limited control over people who may overhear the conference.

o Technical DifficultiesMost online web conference hosting services are all-encompassing and require that attendees have a computer, Internet connection and login information. You'll also need to utilize the planning and invitation stages to ensure that attendees have everything they may need to fully participate, such as microphones,  Cameras, social media accounts or any other applications.

Limitation of Web Conferencing

o time differences because in DE we have many students from different regions or countries so the instructor have to find proper time for all students or record the meeting for some students.

o focus on the technology rather than the dialogue.

Uses of Web conferencing in DE

Most of distance institution are using web conferencing to live interaction between instructor and students for explaining the content, discussing and asking questions.

Exchange knowledge and experience with other students.

Sharing the presentation and computer screens for more understanding of the content.

facilitate synchronous communication by using text, audio and/or video.

Uses of Web conferencing in DE

The real-time desktop-sharing features of web conferencing allow the students to meet and work collaboratively over the Internet .

Using web conferencing to Record meetings (Both the audio and video portions of a web conference can be recorded, archived and replayed later).

Providing quicker and clearer feedback when discussing questions and concerns.

Users concerns about using Web Conferencing

Teachers from University of Southern Queensland (USQ)concern about focus of web conferencing as technology rather than as pedagogical aspects.

Another USQ teachers said that teachers new to the tool would require further support, and the fourth asked for more one-on-one support.

Some USQ teachers who experienced difficulties with equipment (e.g., an ineffective headset)

decided not to use web conferencing with their students because they thought they could not rely on theTechnology.

Users concerns about using Web Conferencing

Concern about time allocations for preparation and facilitation, as well as staff and student training to become proficient in the use of the tools.

Several USQ academic staff identified that it is often impossible to find mutually agreeable time slots that accommodate all students and that this needs to be factored in from the outset and for equity reasons, alternatives must be made available.

Example of Web Conferencing

(Ilinc)- Features of Ilinc Produce webinars and online events that keep your audience

engaged.iLinc delivers unique capabilities that make hosting and attending online events a more streamlined experience from start to finish. Deliver training or educational curriculum through

interactive virtual classrooms.

iLinc offers award-winning online training software for organizations looking to control costs, reduce travel and enhance the learning experience.

Adobe ConnectEnable effective and secure collaboration,

training, and online events that maximize your organization's efficiency.

The complete solution for rapid training and mobile learning, enabling rapid deployment of training accessible from anywhere, anytime, on virtually any device.

Example of Web Conferencing

Digital meetings that go beyond screen sharing, enabling far more effective collaboration and communication with colleagues, partners, and customers - anytime, anywhere, on virtually any device.

Case study

research title (Using Synchronous Web Conferencing to Enhance Situated Distance Learner Experience in Built Environment Context)Researcher name (Niraj Thurairajah)

Summary of the case study

the problem statement of this research is to explore the effect of Using Synchronous Web Conferencing to Enhance Situated Distance Learner Experience in Built Environment Context. The research instrument was a survey of 12 graduate distance learning courses with in the UK built environment higher education institutes. The focus of the survey is on student experiences of studying with the support of online web conferencing software, ElluminateLive! Findings indicate that distance learning study is overwhelmingly enhanced by the use of synchronous conferencing. Equally, however, students derive significant benefit from being able to access recordings of synchronous sessions.