Lessons learned from teaching Business English online using clients'
virtual meeting software
Mike Hogan
BESIG Summer Symposium
University of Lancaster24.06.2011
Teaching BE using virtual meeting software
• What is it? / Why use it? / Target group?
• Background to our context
• Our solution + pilot phases
• Training content
• Overview of platforms
• Lessons learned & recommendations
• Q+A
Our context
• Challenges & Opportunities
HR - Participants - IT
Installation
Firewalls
Back-end software already in place?
(e.g. Flash)
• The solution…use software the client is already using for virtual meetings!
Platform Installation Pricing
Web Ex (Cisco)
<smartphone app>
Java (Active-X installation)
38€/month [25]
Live Meeting [Lync] (Microsoft)
Installation at client
Volume licenses. Avail for €142 (re-seller)
Adobe Connect Pro
<smartphone app>
Flash (Plug-in) $45/month (yearly) or $55 (monthly)
[25]
GoTo Meeting €39/month [50]
OnSync Flash (no plug-in) unless CP screenshare
€50/month
no upload for invited
trainer
Platform Overview
+ Netviewer taken over 2011
IATEFL BESIG
June 2011
http://www.webconferencing-test.com/en/webconferencing_top5/webconference_compact_results.html
http://www.webconferencing-test.com/en/webconferencing_top5/webconference_compact_results.html
Organizational:
• Timing – optimal length
• Group size
• Not all CPs have a headset/speakers. Consider telcon option
• Can CPs use their own office? Where will they be/want to be?
• Cannot show/share/link to Flash videos (Client limitations)
[this also rules out Adobe)
• Blocked sites need to be whitelisted
Lessons learned / Recommendations
Functional:
• Interaction ground rules
• Whiteboard with multiple simultaneous users (different
colours), although WebEx screenshot saves in .ucl
- Go around: Snipping tool, or screenshot saved as jpg.
• ppt. animation – limited + slow, but functional
• Audio content OK when embedded but problematic when
streamed via screen/browser share (incl. video)
• Can’t share/show more than one application at one time.
i.e. when listening, CPs can’t see comp. qs. No ‘pods’
present (as in Adobe Connect).
Lessons learned / Recommendations