Sultan Qaboos University College of Education

Instructional and learning technologies

Unit about:

Done by:

Shamsa Al-Muqbali (92099)

Noora Al-Tabei (94985)

Course:

Distance Education

Definition of web- conferencing service:

• Web conferencing refers to a service that allows conferencing events to be

shared with remote locations. The service allows real-time point-to-point

communications as well as multicast communications from one sender to many

receivers.

Figure 1web -conferencing Objectives of using the web-conferencing in DE:

Use the internet to bring together meeting participants in an online forum for

communication.

The amount of travel and resources required is reduced significantly, making

it a cost-effective measure.

It is often easier for people to connect online, making each meeting more

efficient.

Features of web- conferencing service:

Slide show presentations

Live or Streaming video

Screen sharing/desktop sharing/application sharing

Web tours and Text chat

Meeting Recording

Advantages of web- conferencing service:

Save time, money and resources.

Easily accessible to everyone.

It involves real time communication.

Enhance learning via web. (Online teaching, online learning and e-learning).

Comes with features such as desktop and application sharing.

Disadvantages of web- conferencing service:

Not all software is free, and the free software is limited in what it can achieve.

More informal than face – to – face.

Requires suitable hardware and adequate training to be able to function.

Depend on the speed of internet.

Costs to maintain and keep up with new technology.

Technical difficulties. It requires computer, microphones, social media

accounts and login information.

Security breaches.

Concerns about this technology:

Security Breaches (There's always some kind of security risk to

communication carried out online.

Technical Difficulties (Most online web conference hosting services are all-

encompassing and only require that attendees have a computer, Internet

connection and login information).

Human Interaction (Perhaps the most significant drawback to web conferences

is the lack of actual face-to-face interactions and networking that most people

enjoy participating in at conventional conferences.

References:

Advantages of Web Conferencing | eHow.com

http://www.ehow.com/about_4612105_advantages-web-conferencing.html#ixzz2A7o5fG00

Disadvantages of Web Conferencing | eHow.com

http://www.ehow.com/list_6665514_disadvantages-conferencing.html#ixzz2A7q5lxB5