Web Conferencing in Higher Education

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Web Conferencing in Higher Education

• Amy Ricci, WPI

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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

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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

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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

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Additional Features

• Recording and playback
• Event management
• User management
• Content management
• Reporting and tracking

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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

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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
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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
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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

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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?

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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?

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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

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Vendors in Higher Education Market

• Centra
• Elluminate Live!
• Horizon Wimba
• Interwise ECP Connect

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Contact Information

• Amy Ricci
• aricci_at_wpi.edu
• 508-831-6149