Lessons learned from teaching Business English online using clients' virtual meeting software

Lessons learned from teaching Business English online using clients'

virtual meeting software

Mike Hogan

BESIG Summer Symposium

University of Lancaster24.06.2011

Teaching BE using virtual meeting software

• What is it? / Why use it? / Target group?

• Background to our context

• Our solution + pilot phases

• Training content

• Overview of platforms

• Lessons learned & recommendations

• Q+A

What? & Why?Target group?

Functionality

Virtual whiteboard

Our context

• Challenges & Opportunities

HR - Participants - IT

Installation

Firewalls

Back-end software already in place?

(e.g. Flash)

• The solution…use software the client is already using for virtual meetings!

Content

Sources:

• Tailor-made material• Authentic material• Published material

Images, Audio + Video

Coursebook CDs

Podcasts

Your own recordings

In-house developed content

Screen Sharing (Authentic)

Resources & tools (published + tailor-made)

Platform Installation Pricing

Web Ex (Cisco)

<smartphone app>

Java (Active-X installation)

38€/month [25]

Live Meeting [Lync] (Microsoft)

Installation at client

Volume licenses. Avail for €142 (re-seller)

Adobe Connect Pro

<smartphone app>

Flash (Plug-in) $45/month (yearly) or $55 (monthly)

[25]

GoTo Meeting €39/month [50]

OnSync Flash (no plug-in) unless CP screenshare

€50/month

no upload for invited

trainer

Platform Overview

+ Netviewer taken over 2011

IATEFL BESIG

June 2011

http://www.webconferencing-test.com/en/webconferencing_top5/webconference_compact_results.html

http://www.webconferencing-test.com/en/webconferencing_top5/webconference_compact_results.html

Organizational:

• Timing – optimal length

• Group size

• Not all CPs have a headset/speakers. Consider telcon option

• Can CPs use their own office? Where will they be/want to be?

• Cannot show/share/link to Flash videos (Client limitations)

[this also rules out Adobe)

• Blocked sites need to be whitelisted

Lessons learned / Recommendations

Functional:

• Interaction ground rules

• Whiteboard with multiple simultaneous users (different

colours), although WebEx screenshot saves in .ucl

- Go around: Snipping tool, or screenshot saved as jpg.

• ppt. animation – limited + slow, but functional

• Audio content OK when embedded but problematic when

streamed via screen/browser share (incl. video)

• Can’t share/show more than one application at one time.

i.e. when listening, CPs can’t see comp. qs. No ‘pods’

present (as in Adobe Connect).

Lessons learned / Recommendations

Q & A