2. Web Conference (technical)
• Communication via the internet
• Audio / Video and Content
• Suited for one-on-one interaction
• Behind a computer using a headset / communicator
• Can be web based tool (Adobe Connect Pro) or
a desktop application (Skype)
4. Web Conference Pitfalls
• Not meant for large groups
• Depends on quality of peripherals (headset)
• Echo cancellation, audio feedback issues
• Broadband internet connection required
• Must be moderated heavily
5. Using Web Conference (practical)
• Before the session
• Make sure you have good equipment
• Know the exact number of participants (registration, sign-up required)
• Do a preliminary test with the speakers
• Clearly define goals & expectations
• Create a scenario
• Assign roles: moderator, technical support, ...
– The scenario
• Is an overview of the web conference session
– Assign time to test the equipment of participants
– Introduction: set the rules of the game
– Presentations: short presentations or “chapterized” presentations
– Plan your interactivity
6. Using Web Conference (interactivity)
• Interactivity in small groups: < 10 people
• Assign time slots for questions via webcam
• Participants can ask the questions
• Don’t allow interruptions during the presentation
• Questions should be short and to the point
• Be strict on rules and guidelines
• Interactivity in larger groups: > 10 people
• Use polls to enhance interactivity during or in between the presentations
• Use the chat function to collect questions, remarks
• Moderators ask the questions
• Have guidelines ready for your technical support
• Troubleshooting from a distance
• Use break-out rooms for technical support and troubleshooting
7. Using Web Conference (practical)
• During the session
• Stick to the assigned roles. The presenter is not the moderator.
• Keep people in check
• Encourage interaction through the use of quick polls, chat,...
• After the session
• Use the quick poll to create a quick feedback session
Web conference is web based communication (in a browser) over the internet using video, audio and rich interactive content (whiteboards, presentations, shared documents)It relies heavily on available bandwith and is not suited for large groups. You can’t sit with twenty people behind a web cam. So it’s meant for one on one interaction, which doesn’t mean two people; it jsut means one person behind each computer... Interacting with the othersThere are several web conference tools available both free and premium;You have applications like iChat, Skype, MSNAnd online services as DimDim, Adobe Connect Pro and Microsoft live meetingThe lay out of a rich interactive web conference application has some typical features
You have several windows with obvious information like attendees, camera and voice, and content sharingBut you also have some interesting featurs as quick polls, file sharing, notes and several othersSo we are going online now and I invite you all to Connect.avnet.kuleuven.be/avlmwebconference
As i said before it is not meant for large groups; using web conference in a classroom setting with one PC is not that ideal.Quality of the seminars or meeting does not only depend on the quality of your speakers and guests but also on your equipment. Invest in high quality headsets or communicators with echo cancellationMake sure you have a good internet connection if you want to use audio and video, otherwise stick to chat and audio only.And then last but not least; prepare your session and moderate it heavily.In an online environment things can easily get out of control so you have to be strict and swift with trouble makers.So preparation is everything
Before the session make sure everything is connected and tested,When you organize a seminar and especially a webinar; work with registration and sign-upsDo a test with the speakers if they give their presentation from a remote locationAnd clearly define the goals and expectations of the session; both for the speaker and the participantsAssign roles and make sure that a person has only one role. The presenter is not the moderator is not the technical support personThen the most important part of your seminar is your scenario Short or chapterized presentations; following a webinar is very tiresome so don’t give two hour presentations- make room for interactivity
Interactivity in a web conference is a tricky situationWe generally advise that when your deal with more than 10 people in a seminar room you can best forget to have the participants ask questions themselves. Stick to chat and collect the questions and have the moderator ask them to the speaker. Make sure to check the chat box for follow up questions or remarksThe thing is, well it is always the same: communication and respectYou can’t really see the other person and you can easily misinterprete there words so be clear in your communication and just respect each other. When people can hind behind a computer screen they tend to become more direct and even rude so as a moderator you have to be very strict.So when dealing with larger groups, we already advised that chat but you can also use the poll function in between presentations to engage participants in the presentationsInform your technical guy and the fun thing about web conference is you can create sub rooms or break out rooms for people that have issues with their microphone or connection so they can be helped by the technical without disturbing the seminar
During the session stick to the assigned roles, encourage interaction and be prepared for things that can go wrong and ask immediate feedbackThis is just a quick example of a scenario
