Web Conferencing: Software Evaluation
1 like478 views
The document evaluates and compares the web conferencing software Cisco WebEx and Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. It describes the features of each software, the evaluation process used to test them, and directly compares their features. The recommendation is to select Blackboard Collaborate Ultra for the university due to its ease of use, integration with the learning management system, and ability to provide a virtual classroom experience without additional setups or complexities.
Web Conferencing: Software Evaluation
- 1. Web Conferencing Software Evaluation Anthony Salinas TexasTech University
- 2. Introduction The University ofTexas Rio GrandeValley spans the entire Rio GrandeValley from Starr County to Cameron County. With campuses in Brownsville, Harlingen, Edinburg, McAllen and Rio Grande City,TX. Because of this, the Administration is seeking an online solution to alleviate traveling costs on the students.With more courses becoming hybrid and fully online, a synchronous communication tool has been requested to allow for interactivity and engagement in the course.
- 3. Web Conferencing Software The software that will be evaluated is CiscoWebEx and Blackboard Collaborate Ultra.
- 4. Features Features Cisco Web Ex Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Schedule sessions X Audio X X Video X X Chat X X Whiteboard X X Application Sharing X X Record Sessions X X Recording Conversion X X Telephony X X
- 5. Features Features Cisco WebEx Blackboard Collaborate Ultra MobileWeb Conferencing X X LMS Integration X X Reporting X X Knowledge Base Available X X Training Available X X 24/7Technical Support X
- 6. Evaluation Process Both software will be tested by the following steps: 1. Create account and Sign in 2. Open a meeting/session 3. Set up Audio and Video 4. Start a recording 5. Type within Chat window 6. Log in with mobile device 7. Open Whiteboard and tested annotation tools 8. Start Application Sharing 9. Stop Recording 10. View Recording
- 7. Comparison Features Cisco Web Ex Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Account creation Created an account to sign in and host session No account creation needed. Signed into LMS and started session Schedule sessions/meetings Users can schedule their meetings and follow up meetings A single room is provided for an online course Audio Software wizard recognized my audio and setup Software wizard recognized my audio and setup Video Software wizard recognized my video, no preview before going live Software wizard recognized my video, with preview before going live.Video can follow the speaker. Chat Easy to open and close Chat window, no emoticons Easy to open and close Chat window, some emoticons Additional Non-Verbal Communication none Raised Hand
- 8. Comparison Feature Cisco Web EX Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Whiteboard Allowed for user to open multiple whiteboard, pointer tool, pen , text and eraser tool Allowed for user to open multiple whiteboard, pointer tool, pen , text and eraser tool Application Sharing Easy to start and share desktop. Ability to assign control of desktop/application to another user. Ability to annotate over desktop Easy to start and share desktop/application. Can only be done with Google Chrome and a desktop sharing extension. Record Sessions Able to record/pause and stop meeting. Timer is available to see how long the recording has been. Able to record/pause and stop meeting.
- 9. Comparison Feature CiscoWeb Ex BlackboardCollaborateUltra Recording Conversion The recording is archived, it can be played downloaded but with an additionalWebEX meeting downloader The recording is archived, it can be played and converted into mp3 and mp4 formats. It can be downloaded without any additional software. Telephony Easily obtained with meeting info and is offered during audio set up Not as easy to find and no identifiers were available. MobileWeb Conferencing Available on IOS andAndroid devices. Easy to sign into a meeting.Ability to video chat or host meeting from a mobile device. Available on IOS andAndroid devices. Difficult to sign in with session URL. Works best with sessions linked in Blackboard LMS. LMS Integration A building block is available to work within Blackboard LMS Fully integrated within Blackboard.
- 10. Comparison Features Cisco Web EX Blackboard Collaborate LMS Reporting Easy to access reporting. Reporting is available but only accessible by LMS Administrator. Knowledge Base Available Was easy to locate online by clicking on a “Help” button within software Clicked on “Help” button and had to type Blackboard Collaborate Ultra within knowledge base search bar. Then had to click the best result link. Training Available Video tutorials and demonstrations are easily available however their Help Center web service is difficult to navigate for novices. Video tutorials and demonstrations are easily available. Additional materials have been created by other institutions and users. 24/7Technical Support 24/7Technical Support is offered via Chat or toll free number
- 11. Recommendation The goal of the software is to allow for synchronous communication amongst the learners and course instructor. Both Cisco WebEx and Blackboard Collaborate meet this goal.Although their features and abilities appear identical the functionality of Cisco WebEX actually surpasses Blackboard Collaborate. An instructor has made the case that its features made it easy for his students to access the virtual sessions easily through the mobile application.
- 12. Recommendation Blackboard Collaborate ease of use made it possible for me to enter a session and begin sharing course materials. Participants can easily access the session through their course on the Learning Management System, Blackboard, as well.This proves beneficial since students would not need to create a separate account and memorize another password to participate within a session. After the session has been completed the student can access the archives directly from the course and continue working on course activities.
- 13. Recommendation What makes Blackboard Collaborate stand out is the following: Ease of Use LMS Integration The majority of the staff to use this software will be novice users and not experienced in working with this type of software.Although WebEx contains multiple features, most users may only use 3 to 4.The subject matter that is being taught should be the focus of the course and not the tool or its complexity. Blackboard Collaborate is equivalent to having a virtual classroom which anyone can enter, sit and learn without additional setups or hassles. So I would recommend Blackboard Collaborate as our choice for web conferencing software.