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

What? & Why?Target group?

Functionality

Virtual whiteboard

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!

Content

Sources:

• Tailor-made material• Authentic material• Published material

Images, Audio + Video

Coursebook CDs

Podcasts

Your own recordings

In-house developed content

Screen Sharing (Authentic)

Resources & tools (published + tailor-made)

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

Q & A