Synchronous webcasting tools
From RSCWMWiki
Contents |
Introduction
This page gives hints and tips on what makes a successful webcast, tools you can use and the technical requirements you will need.
See also my shared bookmarks for extra resources for using these tools for education.
What is a Webinar/Webcast?
It is the transmission of audio or video (or both) content over the internet, usually to more than one computer. A webcast can deliver live or pre-recorded information to a group of delegates and have become increasingly used for conferences and events.
Presenters can talk to participants via a webcam or audio and share presentation slides. The webcast allows participants to pose questions to the speaker either by 'putting their hand up' or by using the text chat field.
There are a number of webcasting tools which can be used, some of which are listed in the webcasting tools section of this article.
What do I Need to Set up a Webcast?
In addition to a webcasting tool, you will need to ensure the following technical requirements:
- A PC with broadband connection and Firefox or Internet Explorer
- A headset with microphone (this is important, as a separate speaker and
microphone is not suitable)
- Flash Player 9 or later (this is pre-installed on most PCs, but check with your technical support team if you are unsure)
- JAVA plug-in for Elluminate Live.
You may wish to check your bandwidth levels and audio/video settings and check that the correct ports are open on your organisation’s firewall. This information can sometimes by found on the website of the relevant provider of the webcasting tool.
If you are presenting a session, it is worth testing the system early on a variety of different platforms.
What Makes a Successful Webcast?
The key to a successful live webinar is to keep it informative, engaging (interactive) and relatively short. Standard face to face methods translate well in to the virtual domain, ie. a session overview, ice breakers, changing the mode of delivery periodically, prompting discussion and checking learning. However, we advise against using the tool as a platform for talking through a PowerPoint presentation. This guide by Phil Green on the Towards Maturity site is bang on. I know because I attended one of his excellent webinars.
To keep the webinar fun and engaging, we recommend the following:
Practical considerations
- Ensure you have a quiet location with no background noise and turn off phones
- Give out clear instructions to delegates
- Allow up 10 - 15 minutes to ensure delegates are comfortable with the interface
- Outline your session with an overview
- Keep the session to approximately 30 minutes
- Interject delivery with questions and answers, voting and feedback
- Avoid desktop sharing which uses a lot of bandwidth
- Use the chat room / voting sparingly
- Grab a copy of the chat to reflect upon (post in a forum)
- Record sessions for later review
- Try out the tools before the day
- Have a contingency plan. As a general contingency plan, all live sessions will have supplementary resources offered in the respective Moodle session slot, and an asynchronous discussion forum if the live webinar fails for any reason. Some of the live webinars may also ask you to pose questions in the discussion forum following the live webinar
- Keep to the allotted times and avoid lengthy overruns.
Pedagogic considerations
- Provide plenty of support early in the session, particularly for those new to online webinars
- Introduce sessions with an ice breaker
- Ensure the webinar has a focussed topic
- Obtain / give feedback
- Use visual, audio and kinaesthetic methods and visual clues
- Prompt frequent discussion
- Hand (mic or video) locus of control to delegates
- Sum up and sign post
- Record sessions for reflection/sharing
Useful Tools
I've listed these in order of preference (first 4 only) gleaned from a UK wide RSC platform evaluation undertaken in 2008/9. A far more (collaborative) list can be found on this mindmap.
- Elluminate
- Wimba Live Classroom
- Megameeting
- DimDim - free + DimDim guides & Moodle plugin
- Adobe Connect
- OovoO - free
- Webex
- Instant Presenter
- e/PoP
- Communicate with Coccinella - free ~ Open Source
- WiZiQ - free
- Yugma - free
- vyew -free
- brighttalk - 30 mins per month on free package
- gotomeeting - commercial
- interwise - commercial
- epopIT - commercial
- gong - commercial - interesting this one! You can leave text and voice messages on a discussion board, but also join in a group to hold live voice & chat. Which can be recorded.
- wetoku record vids for your blog, or use it (the website) with a webcam to chat onine - free .
External links
Links to external web sites, with similar advice and guidance.
- One chapter of a new e-learning ebook - entitled Synchronous Conferencing by Jon Baggaley
- A short set of protocols for using Elluminate developed by Institute for Learning Enhancement, echo our experiences.
- A guidebook written to help teachers and others who are delivering or are planning to deliver courses through videoconferencing. Not strictly webinars or webcasts, but the sections on designing interactivity & assessment are direclty related.
- Learning in Real Time. A book + website dedicated to the topic, has received rave reviews.
- Five Ways to Run a Deadly Online Seminar. Pragmatic tips that I fully agree with.
- Free handbook on 144 Tips on Synchronous e-Learning Strategy + Research
See also
Links to other pages in the RSC MediaWiki
RSC contacts
Kevin Brace contributed this article. He can be contacted by email and telephone, 01902 518931 For more information about the RSC West Midlands, visit our website at http://www.rsc-wm.ac.uk
