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== Introduction == This page gives hints and tips on what makes a successful webcast, tools you can use and the technical requirements you will need. The College of Law are using these tools to enhance their training provision (Jan 2010). [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/student/article6993977.ece The student feedback is very good, they call it the "S" mode]. See also my [http://delicious.com/deliboy/webinars 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. [http://www.towardsmaturity.org/article/2009/06/22/making-web-conferences-exciting/ This guide by Phil Green ] on the [http://www.towardsmaturity.org/ Towards Maturity] site is bang on. I know because I attended one of his excellent webinars. Phil has also created an [http://newsletter.alt.ac.uk/ovsn7pmtanz article entitled How to create a live online learning event] for ALT. 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 [http://www.mindmeister.com/12213323/best-online-collaboration-tools-2009-robin-good-s-collaborative-mapextensive (collaborative) list can be found on this mindmap]. * [http://www.elluminate.com/ Elluminate] * [http://www.wimba.com/products/wimba_classroom/ Wimba Live Classroom] * [http://www.megameeting.com/ Megameeting] * [http://www.dimdim.com/ DimDim] - free + [http://www.dimdim.com/products/dimdim-virtual-classroom.html DimDim guides & Moodle plugin] * [http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobatconnectpro/ Adobe Connect] * [http://www.oovoo.com/ OovoO] - free * [http://www.webex.co.uk/ Webex] * [http://www.instantpresenter.com/ Instant Presenter] * [http://www.itpro.co.uk/88330/wiredred-e-pop-4-5 e/PoP] * [http://thecoccinella.org/ Communicate with Coccinella] - free ~ Open Source * [http://www.wiziq.com/ WiZiQ] - free * [https://www.yugma.com/ Yugma] - free * [http://vyew.com/site/index2 vyew] -free * [http://www.brighttalk.com/create/channel brighttalk] - 30 mins per month on free package * [http://www.gotomeeting.com gotomeeting] - commercial * [http://www.interwise.com interwise] - commercial * [http://www.epopIT.co.uk epopIT] - commercial * [http://www.gong.ust.hk 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. * [http://wetoku.com/ wetoku] record vids for your blog, or use it (the website) with a webcam to chat onine - free . * [http://calliflower.com/ Calliflower Premium] is a single solution that combines conference calling, document sharing, text chat, and more in an easy and intuitive online environment. * [http://tinychat.com/ TinyChat] is a dead-simple free browser based chat client that allows you to easily create your own chatroom. - free * [http://ekiga.org/ Ekiga] (was GnomeMeeting) is an open source SoftPhone, Video Conferencing and Instant Messengerapplication over the Internet. It supports HD sound quality and video up to DVD size and quality. It is interoperable with many other standard compliant softwares, hardwares and service providers as it uses both the major telephony standards (SIP and H.323). == External links == Links to external web sites, with similar advice and guidance. * One chapter of a [http://www.ignou.ac.in/institute/STRIDE_Hb8_webCD/STRIDE_Hb8_index.html new e-learning ebook] - entitled [http://www.ignou.ac.in/institute/STRIDE_Hb8_webCD/Chapter%2012.pdf Synchronous Conferencing by Jon Baggaley] * A short [http://platform.inin.jisc-ssbr.net/2009/08/31/elluminate-protocol/ set of protocols] for using Elluminate developed by [http://www.wlv.ac.uk/default.aspx?page=6939 Institute for Learning Enhancement], echo our experiences. * A [http://www.netc.org/digitalbridges/teachersguide/preface.html 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. * [http://www.learninginrealtime.com/about.html Learning in Real Time.] A book + website dedicated to the topic, has received rave reviews. * [http://cogdogblog.com/2009/07/06/deadly-online-seminar/ Five Ways to Run a Deadly Online Seminar]. Pragmatic tips that I fully agree with. *[http://www.elearningguild.com/content.cfm?selection=doc.1025 Free handbook on 144 Tips] on Synchronous e-Learning Strategy + Research *[http://he.rscwmsystems.org.uk/wordpress/?p=142 A blog article I wrote on DimDim] *[http://jslnet.jisc.ac.uk/goto/4529 JSLnet IP how to's] *[http://www.webcastingzone.com/webcasting-articles/webcasting-information.php useful tips from webcasting zone] *[http://www.davidleeking.com/2006/04/30/pointers-for-successful-webcasting/ tips from an educator] *[http://www.reap.ac.uk/reap07/Help/Tipsfordelegates/tabid/224/Default.html THe Scottish REAP project has some neat tips here] *[http://www.dianehoward.com/Dr._H._teleconferencing_videoconferencing_streaming_webcasting.htm video conferencing tips that can be applied to webcasting] == See also == Links to other pages in the RSC MediaWiki [[Streaming_video]] [[Moodle]] == RSC contacts == [mailto:k.brace@wlv.ac.uk 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

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