EC Technology Makes Webinar Hosting Possible

Ever wish you could interact with experts from around the world? Or, stay in your classroom and participate in a webinar--an online professional learning opportunity via the Web? If yes, then the EC Technology Operations can now make this possible!

For example, 9 teachers needed to participate in a make-up session on how various iPad apps fit into the revised Bloom's Taxonomy.  Rather than having the consultant--Lisa Johnson--drive in, the District saved money by inviting Ms. Johnson to present via Adobe Connect, a solution that enables webinars.

In the photo below, you can see one way of facilitating a webinar. This approach--shown below--enables a group of participants to meet together and have the option to either watch the presentation (and listen to the audio narration from Lisa Johnson) and/or follow along on their own devices (laptop or iPads). Important information--such as links--are shared via the Adobe Connect Chat box.

Another approach doesn't require participants to gather as shown below. Instead, they could stay in their classrooms, connect from home, etc.

All webinars are recorded and made available as videos that can be watched later. A recording of the webinar pictured below will be shared as a separate blog post.

Participants in ECISD's First-Ever Webinar focused on EC3 iPad initiative, http://bit.ly/ec3tech

On Tuesday, October 30, 2013, participants new to the EC3 Cohort 1 (shown above) participated in the ECISD's first self-hosted webinar, inviting Lisa Johnson (iPads in Schools Learning Consultant) to revisit a workshop she facilitated in person during the Summer, 2012.

As you can see below, Lisa Johnson is sharing a slideshow from her location in Austin, Texas and narrating her presentation, interacting with participants as they ask questions:

The EC Technology Operations (ECTO) Office is working on making more online professional learning opportunities available for EC District and Campus Staff.

A podcast (audio recording) of this session will be available later this week. Check back!

What is a webinar?

A webinar is a live interactive presentation between a presenter and an audience where each participant sits at his/her own computer, and is connected to the presenter and other participants via the internet. Webinars typically follow an agenda and have a specified starting and ending time. A webinar offers the audience both visual and auditory access to the presenter and the information shared.

• Visual: Presenters share their knowledge and information via Power Point presentations that invite participant interaction through live chat, auditory questions, and the use of emoticons and a white board.
• Auditory: Using VoIP, participants listen and respond to the presenter through their computer microphone and speakers. Use of the text chat and emoticons ensures that every voice can be "heard" by the presenter throughout the presentation.

How Do You Get Connected?
You'll be using Adobe Connect, a web-based service similar to Skype, that will allow you to connect to the presenter and join a group of participants. Information on how to join Adobe Connect for each webinar will appear on the resource web page linked to the title of the webinar topics below.

IMPORTANT: Go through the Technical Checklist a few days prior to the webinar date. That way, if you encounter problems, you can get help from your Campus Technology Coordinator (CTC), or, if necessary, a district technician.

See a schedule for EC Webinars online at - http://bit.ly/ecwebinars

More pictures from this webinar: