Expanding your world through Web Conferencing: Connecting small libraries in big ways PLA 2010.

Expanding your world through Web Conferencing: Connecting small libraries in big ways

PLA 2010

Karen  Burns kburns@swilsa.lib.ia.usAdministrator, Southwest Iowa Library Service Area 

Cindi  Hickey chickey@kslib.infoDirector, Library Development State Library of Kansas 

Jennifer  Peterson petersoj@oclc.orgCommunity Manager,WebJunction 

Agenda

• Definition and benefits (what and why)

• Uses and tools (when and where)

• Best practices (how)

• Success stories (who)

• Q&A

Before we begin…

NOW:

Twitter: #webconf

Old Tech: Share your ideas, tools best practices; we'll collect and post them online

LATER:

WebJunction Group:

webjunction.org/online-conferencing

What is web conferencing?

Web conferencing is used to conduct live meetings, training, or presentations via the Internet. In a web conference, each participant sits at his or her own computer and is connected to other participants via the internet. [Or groups of individuals viewing together.]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_conferencing

Short history of libraries and web conf

Benefits

• Save time, money & the planet

• Available for all

• World of content

• Interaction & networking

• Archives

Use your index card now to share other benefits of web conferencing.

Participant Quotes:

“I liked being able to attend just the ones that I need and fit into my schedule.”

“In my opinion, these sessions were as good or better than sessions at conferences, and I could remain at my desk while tuning in.”

“Lots of learning going on and no travel expenses.”

“It was as good as being there. I came away feeling refreshed - and with some good ideas.”

“It is good that these sessions are archived because there are others in our library who should take advantage of some of the information first hand.”

One more benefit – a tool for learning

• Online courses• Local discussion F2F• Discussion boards/group chat• Document sharing

Take one online event and combine with:

The result = expanded learning!

Web conferencing – some examples

• Library Services

• Collaboration

• Group learning

• Meetings

• Webinars

• Online Conferences

Want more examples? Visit webjunction.org/online-conferencing.

Use your index card now to share your examples of web conferencing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/krossbow/3475718607/

Audience

Interactive Features

Technology Considerations

Usability

The Whole PackageThe Whole Package

http://www.webjunction.org/online-conferencing/articles/content/92311349

Best Practices

• Know your role, and more.

• Active, not passive.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahmstewart/2870665813/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lansinglibrary/4349821322/

Best Practices for Participants

• Get Ready– Technology– Your space

• Get Set– Commit– Engage

• GO!

Best Practices - Presenters

• It’s different!

• Know what the tool can (and can’t) do.

• Be prepared. And practice prepared.

• Sustain the experience for attendees.

• Learn from the experts!

Peter Bromberg: Five Tips For Successful Webinars

Steven Bell & John D. Shank: Conferencing @ Your Computer

Producer Job Description: Ensure that it all runs smoothly!

Designate producer for each session

Training for producers

Checklist

Troubleshooting document

Introduce producer and how to contactBackup for troubleshooting

Success Stories

Collaborative Planning

Yahoo ChatClassroom

Google DocsInstant Msg

(Doodle polls)Iowa Librarians Interview: Web Conferencing Tools for Collaboration webjunction.org/online-conferencing

Web Conference Groupies

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swilsa/4032301948/

A Blend of Face2Face & Online Event

Webinar Programming

WebJunction Webinars

– Free!– 100 archives and 2-3 new events each month– Accessible to all with internet– In partnership with other library agencies like ALA TechSource, REFORMA, ARSL – Leverage to augment other learning efforts

More Library Webinar Programming

More than a dozen other providers, mostly free! – TechSoup for Libraries– InfoPeople– OPAL– SirsiDynix Insitute– Library Journal and School Library Journal– Booklist– BCR Free Friday Forums– Your local and state library organizations– Other organizations providing non-profits

Technology Essentials 2010

• “Pilot” the online conference model

• 10 presentations by 16 presenters

• 1157 pre-registrations

• 703 attendees, more than half from rural/small libraries

• 291 avg. attendees/session

• Production team of 5

One thing done well: top survey responses

chat informative and engaging 45

technical issues fixed quickly 38

presenters knowledge/preparedness 31

time management of sessions 23

audience participation 19

management/moderation of conference 19

polls 14

online conference format in general 13

orientation to platform/tools 13

broad range of topics 13

archives - quick and convenient 10

facilitation of chat, presenters, audience 9

topics presented - timely, interesting 9

having slides in advance 8

links to resources in chat and in archives 7

amount of information/learning 6

5

webjunction.org/online-conferencing

Come share your experiences, templates, checklists, best practices, and stories!

Q&A