Testing a Virtual Meeting Set-Up

Last week some of the OUSL-CE staff were involved in a virtual meeting test. Mike Harttrup, the new Instructional Design DEPP Consultant wanted to see how the internet connections would hold up under the load of an intensive online application such as GoTo Meeting. Several people from around Colombo were connected within a virtual meeting once they had downloaded the GoToMeeting software. Mike said things worked surprising well with all 6 participants not only viewing his desktop but at several times throughout the meeting, different participants were given “presenter” control and therefore shared an application on their desktop. At one time, Mike started a word document and had different people adding to the active document open on his desktop!

Although it is likely participants could have been further connected through a Skype conference (view a "how to" screencast), the chat room facility within the GoToMeeting environment provided adequate communication.

In the coming weeks we are going to continue our investigations into Web 2.0 Communication and Education tools so if you’d like to be on our calling list, just email me sl_info AT yahoo DOT com - a few possible investigations include: Skypecasts, WebHuddle, Vyew, DimDim, Gliffy, PowWowNow, FlashMeeting, Spresent, meetingwizard Our purpose for researching synchronous delivery modes is because it gives one more way for online instructors to develop 'community' online. Right now, in Moodle the only synchronous tool available is the Chat Module.