What are Virtual Conference or Class Rooms?

There are a variety of Virtual Conference rooms online. I have personally used DiscoverE and Elluminate which have slightly different products/features that they offer.

Essentially they are an online room that you can log into and hear and speak to other participants that are also in the room, you can text chat with them, engage in an interactive whiteboard and you can surf the Web together - even though you may be on the other side of the world!

I have been using Virtual conference rooms for 2 years now. The first year exploring the features and how to use them with Adult Literacy Teachers in the ACE Diamond Project in 2004. During this time I felt I needed to develope more skills in designing and facilitating Virtual Conference rooms and synchronous events.  

To this end I applied for an individual NSW Learnscope project. My plan was to enrol and complete 3 certificate modules with Insync Training in the United States. For each certificate I met online for 2 hours each week in Elluminate where we learnt from our teachers and other students how to Facilitate and design Virtual live synchronous sessions.

My final assessment task for the Capstone course with Insynch training was to present a 1 hour fully planned session. For a session to work really effectively you need to plan and practice. You can see my final plan online at http://www.writely.com/View.aspx?docid=bacxtc5fmcnn2 

(Please note this page is a work in progress)

 Cheers

Vivian Evans

vivevans@hwy.com.au