This document evaluates and compares two video conferencing applications, Skype and GoTo Meeting. It discusses the benefits of video conferencing for organizations, including allowing face-to-face meetings regardless of location and more personal interactions than teleconferencing. A side-by-side comparison of Skype and GoTo Meeting is provided. Skype offers smooth group video chats if all participants have fast internet, while GoTo Meeting allows participation without installing software, making it better for corporate uses. The document concludes that for education settings, Skype is superior due to its free computer-to-computer calls.
2. Essential Questions What are the benefits of video conferences? Why would an organization use video conferencing applications?
3. Answers to the Essential Questions What are the benefits of video conferencing? Video conferencing allows team members to meet face-to-face regardless of their physical location. Video conferencing allows for a more personal interaction between participants than traditional teleconferencing does.
4. Answers to the Essential Questions Why would an organization use video conferencing applications? Video conferencing applications allow organizations to reduce the need for meeting space as well as opening the doors for collaboration among team members from across the country, if not the world.
5. Comparison between 2 popular Video Conferencing Applications SkypeTM Go To MeetingTM
11. Summary of Experience of Use SkypeTM Go To MeetingTM Skype group video chat is very smooth if all participants have a fast Internet connection. Audio is of high quality even without a fast Internet connection. Screen sharing works very well. All users must have the Skype client installed. Better for individual users as client is free. GoTo Meeting is a functional piece of software that allows users to participate even if they do not have the software. Better for software demonstrations or corporate uses due to cost.
12. Final Thoughts Both Skype and GoTo Meeting have their plusses. However, I feel that in a education setting, Skype is the superior product due to the fact that it is free to call from computer to computer. GoTo Meeting requires a paid account to initiate meetings where any one with the Skype client can initiate meetings.
