You hear it called all kinds of things - virtual classrooms, webinars, e-meetings, webcasts - but we're all talking about the same thing. It's using a web conferencing tool to deliver information over the Internet to multiple people who can be located anywhere.
During a web conference participants sit at their own computers and are connected to other participants via the internet. The web conferencing application allows presenters to display content on the screens of all the participants. The presentation is accompanied by voice communication.NEFLIN has purchased a subscription to OPAL, a web-conferencing system that will allow NEFLIN and our member libraries to provide web-based programming and training to staff and patrons. The service offers several features:
- Cobrowsing - the presenter can 'push' a web site to participants' computers so they can interact with the site and browse individually
- Public and Private text chat - send messages to everyone or a specific individual
- Polling - real time polling of participants with easy display of results
- Recording and archiving - record both the audio and visual content for future playback
There are some great potential uses of this technology.
- Announcements or demonstrations for large and/or geographically dispersed audiences
- Q&A sessions with guest speakers or subject matter experts
- Software training
- Meetings of groups in different locations (we already have one library who plans to use this as an alternative to face-to-face staff meetings)
And there are wonderful benefits.
- Save travel time and costs for participants
- Sessions can be recorded and archived for those who cannot attend the live session
- Ability to demonstrate software applications remotely
If you're interested in seeing the online classroom in use you should attend the Virtual Open Houses next week. This one hour session provides an overview of the services provided by NEFLIN and lets you see the web conferencing service in action. Your last chance to attend a Virtual Open House is Tuesday, October 28th at 10:30am. If your library would like to schedule a private session for your staff during your regular staff meeting, contact Stephanie@neflin.org.
As we prepared to roll out this new service we've been reminded of the many issues involved with presenting, facilitating, or producing a live, online training session or program. If you've participated in a live webinar you know that the really successful trainers make it look easy and seamless. We want you to be successful when you make use of this service. If you think you would like to use the web conference service at your library we will require that you attend a Moderator Training Session. These sessions will teach the basics of using the software along with providing tips for having a successful event. Sessions are currently scheduled for
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