Synchronous learning are events in which a group of students are
engaging in learning at the same time. This can be a very valuable tool for the
online learning environment. This blog post discusses options available for
delivery of synchronous learning.
There are many options from small free choices to large plans that can
support many users with advanced options. It is important to consider if it is
best to go with a vendor or an Open Educational Resources or OER).
Vendor solutions are one option. They are professionally developed and
usually seem to have good technical support. Although, make changes to content
or class could be more difficult and of course, they are can be pricey with the
ongoing license cost. This chart looks at some three vendor choices.
|
Delivery
Method
|
Adobe
Connect
Learning
|
Cisco
Web Ex
|
Blackboard
Collaborate
|
|
Features
|
Mobile
access
Screen /
document sharing
Polls,
Q&A, chat, notes, whiteboard, emoticons
Customizable
layouts
Share rich
media
Audio
integration / VoIP
Persistent
rooms, urls, and content
Unlimited
meeting rooms per host
Multiple
hosts / presenters in meeting
Backstage
area
Breakout
rooms
|
Video
conferencing (full-screen, up to 7 video feeds, or split-screen)
Share
applications or your whole screen
VoIP or
phone call-in
Markup
tools and whiteboard
Record
meetings (including video)
Free mobile
apps
Share the
presenter role
|
Browser-based
web conferencing
Chat
Real-time
annotations and text
Hand
raising tracker
File
sharing
Personalized
learning options
|
|
[SKM1] Content
Delivery
|
Recordings
(create, edit, stream)
Reporting
and administration
Central
content library
Complete
account branding and customization
MP4
recording conversion service
Custom
domain name for organization
API &
SDK
|
Live
high-definition video (up to 720p), integrated audio, and data sharing.
|
Mobile
friendly
HD audio,
video, and webcam support.
|
|
Training
Management
|
Course and
curricula creation and management
Learner
tracking and certification
|
Use the
versatility of Cisco WebEx® Training Center to offer online lectures,
vocational training, tutoring, and group projects.
Stimulate
learning and group collaboration through virtual breakout sessions.
Evaluate
class effectiveness with integrated testing, polling, and reports.
Build a
digital library of recorded lectures to support self-paced study.
|
Blackboard
Consulting offers course design, development, and review services to help
institutions develop and scale their online programs while meeting the
highest level of compliance with industry-recognized standards.
|
|
Capacity/Price
|
Live Virtual Classroom of 200=
$3,500/yr
|
Up to 100 people
per meeting $69 per month |
Call for pricing
|
Open Source
Solutions are another option. They have
advantages because it is easier to customize content. They are no or low cost,
but because of the low cost, the technical support might be limited or
obsolete. The system may require someone who has expertise in technology to
maintain, change and update the system.
An example of an
Open Source Solution is BigBlueButton. It supports multiple audio and video
sharing, presentations with whiteboard capabilities. It does need a browser
plugin for Adobe Flash.
When reading
through the reviews of Online Meeting Software, Go to Meeting appears to be the
clear winner. I have used it myself and find it to be fairly easy to
navigate. Some pros mentioned were features
like high definition video conferencing. Also attendees can participate free. They
seem to have good IT support. A few cons were issues with iOS compatibility and
recordings are complicated.
The choices are numerous and require careful consideration, , but as the movement towards online learning grows, the way we communicate synchronously
will only get better.
No comments:
Post a Comment