Web Conferencing Classrooms

As mentioned in the Getting Started section, video and web conferencing allow two-way video and audio communication between participants. Because web conferencing is so prevalent and it allows participants to join conversations using their Web browsers, we will use the term "web conferencing" in this section although many of the principles apply equally to video conferencing.

Web conferencing allows the enriched interaction of hearing others' voices and seeing their faces and to discern body language. When the camera is used, participants can see a little of the environment from which others are participating (although some might contend this is a negative rather than positive factor). The dynamic exchange of conversation is more effective as communication occurs in a more realistic environment than typing and posting.

Obviously there are pros and cons for web conferencing as there are with any form of educational environment. Whether one side or the other "wins" is open for debate from situation to situation. On the following page, let's talk about ideas for managing technology before the course starts.