Explanation of webinars and some tips to use them in academic settings.

1. Welcome to the virtual meeting room
for Webinar Session 22 May 2013
The Networked Researcher
(We will begin at 1pm)
Terese Bird
Institute of Learning Innovation
University of Leicester
www.le.ac.uk

2. What will we talk about?
• What is a webinar?
• Tech
• Webinar uses
– Lectures
– Meetings
– Focus Groups
– Conferences
– Assessment

3. What is a webinar?
• Internet-facilitated browser meeting, possibly
comprising voice, video, and computer-based
demonstration
• Cross between Skype and the old video-conferencing
• AND IT RECORDS!
• Software:
– Adobe Connect, Blackboard Collaborate, Go-ToMeeting, Webex
– Free versions: BigBlueButton, Google Hangouts

4. Tech
• Computer with internet connection – wired
connection is best
• Microphone
• Headphones – absolute must
• Webcam optional
• Always do Audio Setup Wizard
(under Meeting)

5. We use Adobe Connect
• Windows, Macs, but not Linux
• iOS devices need app
• Not perfect
• Many tools
• Email ithelp for
a Connect account

6. Lectures
• Slides probably more important than webcam
• No microphones for participants

7. Case study of Maths Assessment
• Students presented their work to overseas
companies
• Everything was recorded for review and grading

8. Meetings
• Webcam is important
• Everyone will need a microphone
• Leave time at the beginning for fiddling with
microphone
• Only one speaker at a time
• Try the whiteboard!

9. Focus Groups
• Everyone will need a microphone
• Leave time at the beginning for fiddling with
microphone
• Only one speaker at a time
• May want to aim the webcam at something else

10. Conferences
• Save travel costs
• Microphones for speakers only, to begin
• Great for networking and meeting overseas friends