This document discusses options for video conferencing software to use for online meetings and staff development. It notes that video conferencing could reduce costs by limiting travel for classes and meetings, while saving time by allowing administrators to spend more time on site and enabling early staff development classes. The guidelines provided are that the software must be low-cost, support video/audio with multiple streams, allow document sharing, be web-based across platforms without installation, with polling, chat, recording, and screen sharing as desirable features. Several options are described, including Microsoft Live Meeting which meets all criteria but requires server setup, and Mikogo, Slideshare with Zipcast, and Skype Professional which offer some but not all desired features.
2. Why look to technology? Budget reduction Reduce cost of moving students from one school to another for one class Reduce reimbursable mileage through online meetings Time savings Administrators can spend more time on site Teachers can begin staff development classes early and without traveling to a common site
3. Our guidelines Product must Be free or low cost Support video/audio – multiple video streams preferred Allow sharing of documents from presenter to audience Web-based, supporting multiple platforms Does not require installation from participants (java or flash client is OK)
4. Like to haves Polling tool Text chat or question queue Ability to record and post for playback Audio options- VoIP, free dial-in conferencing Allow participant to take over as presenter Allow participants to share their screens
5. Web-based options Microsoft Live Online Meeting Mikogo Slideshare with Zipcast Skype Professional with multicast Wimba Classroom
6. Microsoft Live Online Meeting Licensing is included in our new Microsoft contract We would need to set up our servers to run this. That is a project that can be scheduled for this summer Includes all the tools we need and would like Video stream is one way, presenter controls who is see by everyone else
7. Mikogo Freeware, web-based No video however video can be used by using the webcam software Very easy to use – basically it allows participants to view the presenter’s screen No VoIP but free dial-in conferencing
8. Slideshow with Zipcast Slide show is a free web-based program that allows the user to upload documents and presentations It recently added Zipcast, a streaming video and audio tool for the presenter to use Participants use built-in IM to communicate with the presenter
9. Skype Professional Low cost – Skype Manager allows scheduling of video call and allocation of funding (prepaid). Supports up to 10 video streams Instant messaging, VoIP, file sharing No presentation software
10. Wimba Classroom Part of Blackboard Dial-in audio, VoIP options that can be used together No video Has many presentation tools including polling No recording Has a history of occasionally freezing
