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Thursday, 15 July 2004: 8:30 AM-9:15 AM | |||
Oceanic 1 (Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel) | |||
K-3: Beyond Text Chat: Integrating Web-4M Audioconferencing with WebCT | |||
| Detailed Description: | In both blended and fully online courses, there may be a need to go beyond text chat in WebCT by providing advanced communications such as audioconferencing. At the same time, keeping the cost of audioconferencing in line with current fiscal constraints is a necessary consideration. The presentation will review how the University of Alberta integrated Web-4M, a Java-based communication suite, with both WebCT Campus Edition and WebCT Vista and describe the experiences of supporting faculty and students. | ||
| Presentation Format: | Showcase | ||
| Topic: | Integrating the campus: Technical solutions and extended uses | ||
| Target Audience: | Faculty and Other Instructors, System Administrators, E-learning Managers | ||
| Appropriate Audience Level: | Experienced WebCT users | ||
| Abstract Text: | In both blended and fully online courses, there may be a need to go beyond text chat in WebCT by providing advanced audioconferencing. There are many courses in various disciplines that are most effective when there is real-time voice dialog between students and the instructor. Often, there are situations where real-time slide presentations need to be made by instructors, guest speakers and students, even when participants are at a distance. At the same time, fiscal constraints require keeping the cost of audioconferencing at acceptable levels. While there are some excellent hardware and web-based conferencing systems, the cost of many of these packages may be prohibitive for all but the largest institutions. In addition to cost considerations, other issues such as integration are an important factor and must address both ease-of-use and technical support concerns. The University of Alberta selected Web-4M from JDH Technologies for the advanced communications suite to integrate with WebCT systems. In this presentation we will review the selection process and the reasons for the adoption of Web-4M. We will also review technical considerations, the integration process, and our experiences with training and supporting instructors and students on the use of the tools as well as live conference management practices. | ||
| Session Leader: | Susan L. Stein University of Alberta | ||
| Co-Presenter: | Bob Boufford University of Alberta | ||
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