GSE Web Conferencing Pilot Using Elluminate

1. GSE Web Conferencing PilotUsing Elluminate Summer 2007

2. What is “web conferencing”? • Web conferencing is a synchronous online delivery technology where facilitators and participants can communicate and collaborate together in real time. • GSE is participating in a University-wide pilot around the use of web conferencing. • At GSE, the web conferencing application in use is Elluminate.

3. Potential Uses of Web Conferencing Academic uses: • Virtual guest speakers visiting bricks-and-mortar class sessions • Virtual class sessions for snow days and other emergencies • Virtual section meetings, office hours, and other consultations • Student collaboration/project work • Virtual faculty collaborations for research and other academic but non-class related events Administrative uses: • Online chats with prospective students, current students, current staff, alums • Virtual meetings to collaborate on documents, walk through slides, documents, web sites together • Virtual professional development and technical training overviews • “Webinars” and other events

4. Web Conferencing Features • Voiceover IP (VoIP) • Ability to walk through slides and visit web sites together • Application sharing, desktop sharing, and the ability to pass control of applications to participants • A “virtual whiteboard” and annotation tools • Polling for both just in time and pre-planned polls • Emoticons that the participants can use to “virtually” raise their hands, clap, or express mood • Online chat where the facilitator and participants can communicate via text messages • Virtual breakout rooms for smaller group work • Optional web cam video of the facilitator and the ability to have participants share their web cam video one at a time

6. Technical Details • Cross-platform (i.e. PC, Mac, etc) • Browser neutral (i.e. use IE, Firefox, Mozilla, etc) • Need soundcard and speakers or headset with microphone and to download a plug-in • Optimized for low bandwidth (as low as 56k) • Hosted solution (i.e. uses Elluminate servers) • Compliant with ADA accessibility compliance and other standards (more info) • Can record events for playback at a later date (i.e. archiving) and use as source content for later digital asset development

7. What needs to happen? Moderator: • Meets with LTC to think through how to leverage the platform for best learning for particular event, decide whether to use a “driver,” and work out other details • Completes online training and a brief system check • Shares session URL and tech details with participants • Joins the session! Participant: • Obtains headset with mic • Completes a brief system check • Joins the session!

8. A “Driver” • Not mandatory but encouraged, esp. at first • Extra set of hands • Does not need to be in same physical location as moderator • Administrative / technical role • Driver could be TF, PITF, LTC staff, other staff, faculty member!

9. Cost Free!

10. GSE Events So Far • TIE program alumni chat • S-030 virtual office hours • ExEL planning meeting • Consultation between Gutman librarians and USP students • Career Services Office virtual sessions as part of their career planning online summer workshop • Meeting between staff members from three departments, some on site and one off site

11. Feedback on First Event This was a fantastic experience! It was a wonderful experience…I look forward to participating in more events such as this one. [I liked] being able to speak, listen, type, show some reactions (applause, confusion) This was such a cool thing to participate in. I really like this technology. I love being able to review the slides, chat, and listen to the conversation as needed. This was a great experience. [I liked] emoticons and the ability to use text or VOIP. THANKS!