report about web conferencing

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

2. 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. Distance education use this
technology for many objectives like 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 and encourage students to
engage with learning and support peer activities.
There are a lot of features of web conferencing for example It offers information of text-
based messages, voice and video chat to be shared simultaneously, across
geographically dispersed locations, 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, allows real-time point-to-point communications as well as multicast
communications from one sender to many receivers, cost saving because you don’t
need to travel for the meeting only by Web conferencing you can participate in the
meeting or discussion , 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., 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 chats for live question and answers sessions and Screen
sharing/desktop sharing/application sharing (where participants can view anything the
presenter currently has shown on their screen.
There are many limitations of using web conferencing. First, (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. Second, (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

3. applications. Third, 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. Forth, focus on the technology rather than the
dialogue.
Using web conferencing in distance education support delivery of content and student
learning by different ways. Most of distance institutions are using web conferencing to
live interaction between instructor and students for explaining the content, discussing
and asking questions. Let the students to exchange knowledge and experience with
other students. It facilitates sharing the presentation and computer screens for more
understanding of the content. Facilitate synchronous communication by using text,
audio and/or video. 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.
There are many concern shared by teachers, administrators and students about using
web conferencing in distance education. We provide some concern was shared by
academic staffs in the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). Teachers from
University of Southern Queensland (USQ) concern about focus of web conferencing as
technology rather than as pedagogical aspects. Other 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. 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.
There are many examples of web conferencing software. Ilinc web conferencing
software which has a lot of effective features like Produce webinars and online events
that keep your audience engaged. Which mean 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
that mean iLinc offers award-winning online training software for organizations looking
to control costs, reduce travel and enhance the learning experience. Also Adobe
Connect is one example of web conferencing software. It has many features like Enable
effective and secure collaboration, training, and online events that maximize your
organization's efficiency. The complete solution for rapid training and mobile learning,

4. enabling rapid deployment of training accessible from anywhere, anytime, on virtually
any device. 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.
There are many research in the field of the impact of using web conferencing in
distance education. An example of the research in using web conferencing in distance
education is “Using Synchronous Web Conferencing to Enhance Situated Distance
Learner Experience in Built Environment Context” by Niraj Thurairajah. 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.

5. References
 http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/melbourne08/procs/loch.pdf
 http://www.adobe.com/products/adobeconnect.html
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_conferencing
 http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Web+conferencing
 http://www.tmcnet.com/channels/web-conferencing/articles/39081-benefits-web-
conferencing.htm
 http://www.ehow.com/list_6665514_disadvantages-conferencing.html
 http://www.readytalk.com/sites/default/files/docs/support-
training/How%20Web%20Conferencing%20Can%20Help%20Your%20Company%20G
row%20v2.pdf