VirtualMV/Digital Learning Technologies/Social/Web conferencing

Overview
There are many Internet Protocol (IP) based teleconferencing systems

Wikipedia (2009a) has a count of the number of users

Microsoft Live Messenger

 * Includes text chat, video conferencing and interactive whiteboard.
 * Users: 300 million (May, 2008)
 * URL: http://download.live.com/?sku=messenger
 * References: (Wikipedia, 2009b)

Skype ( http://www.skype.com )

 * More than 276 million users (Jan, 2009)is a leader in videoconferencing.
 * Users: 309 million (May 2008)

Skype is a free video conferencing tool that Microsoft now owns (Since 2011). Skype allows people in different locations to connect with each other using text or video chat. Skype was founded in 2003 and its headquarters are in Luxembourg.

Skype can be used on a variety of technologies, including: PC, Laptop, Mobile, I Pad/Tablet and smart TVs with Skype installed on it.

Although Skype is a good, reliable video conferencing tool, the full benefits of Skype aren't experienced unless you pay and get Skype Premium. These include: Group video calling. This means that Skype may not be the best video conferencing program to use if you want multiple people on video while streaming a class.

In the latest version of Skype you can try out the group video function. However, this is just a trial and to get full time access to group video calling you still have to subscribe.

Below is a screenshot from wiki commons showing the log in screen of skype




 * References: (Wikipedia, 2014c) \
 * References: (Skype, 2014d)

-SamMcFadyen 20:56, 10 March 2014 (UTC)

Gmail video and Voice ( http://mail.google.com/videochat )

 * Introduced November 2008 the video and voice capabilities are embedded into Gmail
 * Users:

Google Hangouts
Google hangouts is a platform that allows users to communicate through messaging and video calls in groups. This was released by Google on the 15th of May 2013.

Iamvanillabear 00:19, 18 March 2014 (UTC)

Dimdim ( http://www.dimdim.com )

 * Enables users to deliver synchronised live presentations, white boards and web pages accompanied by voice and video. Runs in a web browser and uses Open Source Software. Also has a Dimdim Virtual Classroom Pack for educational customers.
 * Users:

Webinar
Has restricted functionality for users. The one I participated in had voice only and no idea of who was online or stats to help create a sense of class.



Panopto ( http://www.panopto.com/ )
Panopto is an all-in-one video platform for presentation recording, live web casting, social learning, video content management, and more.


 * Record presentations, lectures, screencasts, events, and meetings from any laptop.
 * View live webcasts and on-demand video in high definition from any device.
 * Organize and manage a centralized library of hundreds or thousands of videos.
 * Broadcast live online to hundreds or thousands of viewers around the world.
 * Trim and remix your videos from anywhere with Panopto’s web-based media editor.
 * Integrate with your LMS or Active Directory, and customize Panopto with built-in APIs.
 * Upload your videos and manage them from a secure central repository.
 * Search within your videos to find the specific segment you're looking for.
 * Search your entire library, view videos, and create new recordings, all from your iPhone or iPad.

TeamViewer
TeamViewer is a software application which can be used for:
 * Remote Control,
 * Screen-, Video- & Sound Sharing,
 * Online Meeting & Presentation
 * Web Conferencing
 * VPN Data Transfer

TeamViewer is free for private utilization (Freeware). For businesses it is available as proprietary software.

It runs on Windows, OS X, Linux, Android and IOS. --Nzpiccolo 23:40, 12 March 2014 (UTC)

Cisco Webex (http://www.webex.com)
An E-conferencing tool which allows:


 * Many people speaking with many people (audience) listening
 * Share a common document screen for discussion at any point in time. It can be a ppt, excel sheet or a whiteboard.
 * Display many webcam to many audience.
 * Recording of the session and later upload.
 * Chat, Poll, on the spot file sharing.
 * Discussion group breakout, online assessment.

Advantages to learning:
 * Its almost like conducting class face to face with a interactive audience (Through speech, poll, webcam etc...).
 * Spot polling for instant feedback.
 * Can be automatically recorded (No need for independent recording for pod-casting purpose).
 * Students/Teachers can do interactive presentations to whole class.

Disadvantages:

As with any technology there are some demerits to this one too, like:


 * Technically challenging, needs prior training of teachers.
 * Teacher can't assure students are paying attention (So the target audience ie.. the students need to be mature and professional enough)

Blackboard Collaborate
A web conferencing tool for educators and students to interact and engage as if they were in a traditional classroom.
 * Multi-platform and low bandwidth support
 * Has the ability to connect via mobile device.
 * Deliver web conferencing
 * Share desktops
 * Support for Ubuntu Linux
 * Ability to record sessions
 * Provides pre-session planning and post-session recording management tools.
 * Echo Cancellation

Videos online
There are services that create videos online


 * Examples: http://animoto.com, http://www.jumpcut.com, http://www.toufee.com, and http://www.digitalfilms.com