This document outlines a presentation on web conferencing. It defines web conferencing as live meetings over the internet that allow sharing of text, audio, video, and screens. It discusses objectives of using web conferencing in distance education like enabling real-time communication and collaboration. Features, limitations, uses, and examples of web conferencing tools are also summarized, as well as concerns about its use and a case study on its impact on distance learning.

1. Sultan Qaboos University
College of Education
Department of Instructional & Learning
Technologies
Web Conferencing
Done by:- Amina Al-Manwari (86495)
Sara Al-Qassmi (86416)

2. Outline
 Definition of web conferencing.
 Objectives of using web conferencing in DE.
 Features and limitations web conferencing.
 Uses web conferencing in DE.
 Concerns of using web conferencing in DE.
 Example of web conferencing.
 Case study about using web conferencing in DE.

3. Definition of Web conferencing
 Web conferencing is used to conduct live
meetings or presentations over the Internet. In a
web conference, each participant sits at his or her
own computer and is connected to other
participants via the internet. This can be either a
downloaded application on each of the attendees
computers or a web-based application where the
attendees will simply enter a URL (website address)
to enter the conference.

4. Objectives of using web conferencing in DE
 Provide real time communication with the instructors.
 Enhance communication and collaboration among
students.
 Using different way for delivery the content(
text, audio, pictures and video)
 Finding a common time for class discussions with all students.
 Contacting with huge number of students by this technology.
 Support students’ understanding of the content.
 encourage students to engage with learning and support peer
activities

5. Features of Web Conferencing
 allows real-time point-to-point communications as
well as multicast communications from one sender
to many receivers.
 It offers information of text-based messages, voice
and video chat to be shared simultaneously, across
geographically dispersed locations.
 cost saving.

6. Features of Web Conferencing
 Slide show presentations - where images are
presented to the audience and markup tools and a
remote mouse pointer are used to engage the
audience while the presenter discusses slide content.
 Live or Streaming video - where full motion
webcam, digital video camera or multi-media files
are pushed to the audience.

7. Features of Web Conferencing
 VoIP (Real time audio communication through the
computer via use of headphones and speakers)
 Web tours - where URLs, data from
forms, cookies, scripts and session data can be
pushed to other participants enabling them to be
pushed though web based logons, clicks, etc. This
type of feature works well when demonstrating
websites where users themselves can also
participate.

8. Features of Web Conferencing
 Meeting Recording - where presentation activity is
recorded on the client side or server side for later
viewing and/or distribution.
 Whiteboard with annotation (allowing the
presenter and/or attendees to highlight or mark
items on the slide presentation. Or, simply make
notes on a blank whiteboard.)
 Text Chat- For live question and answer sessions,
limited to the people connected to the meeting. Text
chat may be public (echoed to all participants) or
private (between 2 participants).

9. Features of Web Conferencing
 Polls and surveys (allows the presenter to conduct
questions with multiple choice answers directed to
the audience)
 Screen sharing/desktop sharing/application
sharing (where participants can view anything the
presenter currently has shown on their screen.
Some screen sharing applications allow for remote
desktop control, allowing participants to
manipulate the presenters screen, although this is
not widely used.)

10. Limitation of Web Conferencing
o Security Breaches
There's always some kind of security risk to communication carried
out online. In addition to the threat of hackers, you'll also have
limited control over people who may overhear the conference.
o Technical Difficulties
Most online web conference hosting services are all-encompassing
and require that attendees have a computer, Internet connection and
login information. You'll also need to utilize the planning and
invitation stages to ensure that attendees have everything they may
need to fully participate, such as microphones, Cameras, social
media accounts or any other applications.

11. Limitation of Web Conferencing
o time differences because in DE we have many
students from different regions or countries so the
instructor have to find proper time for all students
or record the meeting for some students.
o focus on the technology rather than the dialogue.

12. Uses of Web conferencing in DE
 Most of distance institution are using web
conferencing to live interaction between instructor
and students for explaining the content, discussing
and asking questions.
 Exchange knowledge and experience with other
students.
 Sharing the presentation and computer screens for
more understanding of the content.
 facilitate synchronous communication by using
text, audio and/or video.

13. Uses of Web conferencing in DE
 The real-time desktop-sharing features of web
conferencing allow the students to meet and work
collaboratively over the Internet .
 Using web conferencing to Record meetings (Both
the audio and video portions of a web conference
can be recorded, archived and replayed later).
 Providing quicker and clearer feedback when
discussing questions and concerns.

14. Users concerns about using Web Conferencing
 Teachers from University of Southern Queensland
(USQ)concern about focus of web conferencing as
technology rather than as pedagogical aspects.
 Another USQ teachers said that teachers new to the tool
would require further support, and the fourth asked for
more one-on-one support.
 Some USQ teachers who experienced difficulties with
equipment (e.g., an ineffective headset)
decided not to use web conferencing with their students
because they thought they could not rely on the
Technology.

15. Users concerns about using Web Conferencing
 Concern about time allocations for preparation and
facilitation, as well as staff and student training to
become proficient in the use of the tools.
 Several USQ academic staff identified that it is
often impossible to find mutually agreeable time
slots that accommodate all students and that this
needs to be factored in from the outset and for
equity reasons, alternatives must be made
available.

16. Example of Web Conferencing
(Ilinc)
- Features of Ilinc
 Produce webinars and online events that keep your audience
engaged.
iLinc delivers unique capabilities that make hosting and attending
online events a more streamlined experience from start to finish.
 Deliver training or educational curriculum through interactive
virtual classrooms.
iLinc offers award-winning online training software for
organizations looking
to control costs, reduce travel and enhance the learning
experience.

19. Adobe Connect
 Enable effective and secure collaboration, training,
and online events that maximize your
organization's efficiency.
 The complete solution for rapid training and mobile
learning, enabling rapid deployment of training
accessible from anywhere, anytime, on virtually
any device.

20. Example of Web Conferencing
 Digital meetings that go beyond screen
sharing, enabling far more effective collaboration
and communication with colleagues, partners, and
customers - anytime, anywhere, on virtually any
device.

23. Case study
 research title
(Using Synchronous Web Conferencing to Enhance
Situated Distance Learner Experience in Built
Environment Context)
 Researcher name
(Niraj Thurairajah)

24. Summary of the case study
the problem statement of this research is to explore the
effect of Using Synchronous Web Conferencing to Enhance
Situated Distance Learner Experience in Built Environment
Context. The research instrument was a survey of 12
graduate distance learning courses with in the UK built
environment higher education institutes. The focus of the
survey is on student experiences of studying with the
support of online web conferencing software,
ElluminateLive! Findings indicate that distance learning
study is overwhelmingly enhanced by the use of
synchronous conferencing. Equally, however, students
derive significant benefit from being able to access
recordings of synchronous sessions.