Need Hellp Setting Up Video Conferencing/Classroom With Moodle Integration

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Permalink Reply by SusanKG on March 29, 2009 at 9:01am

Thanks indigo - I'll send them a message and let you know what they suggest.

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Permalink Reply by Tammy Moore on March 29, 2009 at 9:50am

You can definitely run such a combination yourself. We are with our project using Moodle and Elluminate; though ours is non-profit and run by donations. I think the best platform if you are going strictly asynchrnous is Moodle. The software itself is free becuase it is open source. You will need to host the software on a server. I have heard that there are free Moodle hosts out there such as Ninehub. If you host it yourself it isn't terribly expensive, but you will need a bit of technical savy to install and set it up. Moodle tries to make it as easy as possible though. I recommend seeing if you can get an experienced Moodle administartor to assist you for the first week or so to get you up and running and orient you to administrator tools.

Moodle Considerations ...

Payment system - Moodle has a built in way to use PayPal. You can turn it on via the settings page for each course. You can also use a Paypal widget as an embedded code in an html block in the sidebar. We used the sidebar for a while in our early days as a convenient way for members to donate to ourMoodle server/ Elluminate expenses. It worked great. Since our courses were free with optional donation, I have not tried the Paypal from the settings page method.

Integrating Moodle with a synchronous option for live, online classes ...

Most of the web conferencing softwares have made Moodle add-ons that let you manage access to live web classes. I use Elluminate and I know it has a plug in; though, we merely use a link posted in a label. I am pretty sure that WizIQ, DimDim, eLectra, and NetMeeting have plug ins too.

Learning to manage it all isn't too bad. Set aside a few weks after you get the software installed and stable and you will find that you will be largely ready to get serious about course setup and management. Do have the mindset that course development happens over time. There are very few ready made courses that you can merely grab and install and have turn key for your teachers. That means that teachers will be developing Moodle and live classroom material while they teach for a while. It is a long term investment though because once everything is made, in subsequent years the instructors can merely focus on just the teaching part.

Much of our set up will apply to what you are trying to do. If you would like to tour through and be able to ask someone questions in real time, let me know. I wll also be running training sessions throughout the summer for our volunteers. You and your instructors are welcome to jump in with us. I will be teaching the volunteers how to set up, teach from, and maintain Moodle and Elluminate course material as well as teaching them some niftty uses for many of the wonderful free tools out there such as VoiceThread, Cmap, etc. Our training sessions will begin about mid May.

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Permalink Reply by SusanKG on March 29, 2009 at 9:56am

This is very, very helpful thank you! I would love to tour through and ask you questions in real time that would be a huge help!

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Permalink Reply by michelle on March 31, 2009 at 9:35am

I would like to attend your training session. Is this possible? I am in LA.

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Permalink Reply by Tammy Moore on March 31, 2009 at 2:34pm

It is all done using an Elluminate online classroom (with Moodle, VoiceTHread, Cmap, and Ning threaded through). It doesn't matter where you live. You just need access to the net.

It will begin about Mid May and various sessions will run through out the summer months with classes for Moodle, Elluminate, VoiceThread, Cmaps, and Ning. These are the primary tools we use. I will add you to the list to keep you in the news loop when we finalize the schedule.

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Permalink Reply by SusanKG on April 1, 2009 at 11:19pm

Thanks Tammy!

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Permalink Reply by Henry Keil on April 3, 2009 at 5:54am

Tammy,

In my view Moodle and Elluminate make a powerful combination of asynchronous and synchronous learning - using the latter to teach the former sounds highly interesting.
If you could let me know when you do it i'm happy to join in.

Best,

Henry

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Permalink Reply by Mark Cruthers on April 2, 2009 at 11:36am

I recommend you take a look at WiZiQ, for video conferencing. It does have a Moodle plug in that allows you to go directly into WiZiQ's Virtual classroom from Moodle.

More on WiZiQ

WiZiQ is a web-based platform for anyone and everyone who wants to teach and learn live, online. Teachers and students use WiZiQ for its state-of-the-art virtual classroom, to create and share online educational content and tests, and to connect with persons having similar subject interests.

Anyone can join WiZiQ
Enter your log in essentials (email address, password) and name to get started with an account on WiZiQ.

Live, online classes
In the virtual classroom with all the digital benefits at your fingertips, you can interact online using
Images,
PowerPoint presentations and documents
Full way audio and video sharing
Live chat enhances the interaction amongst the participants
Control Privileges with you having full control over the class like in real-world classroom

All classes on WiZiQ are automatically recorded so that you can revisit and even search for a certain topic anytime at your convenience Build your educational network

On WiZiQ, you can enter your subject interests and discover who else on WiZiQ shares similar interests with you. Initiate contact with members around you to exchange knowledge, content and to help each other work towards common goals such as preparing for an exam or assignment.

Share content
WiZiQ lets you produce your content online and convert it in a sharable format, with minimal effort. You can make your content semi-permanent, easy to put on blogs, and embeddable as objects and links.

Safety & Privacy
WiZiQ is very serious about members’ safety and privacy. Everyday we monitor all activities on WiZiQ making sure the safety of our members. Further, no part of your private information is misused or given to any person or business for any commercial purposes. You have a complete control on your privacy through your contact settings.

Here's an Example of a WiZiQ classroom in a public session.

Integrating Technology with Google, Videos, and Social Book Marking by Nellie Deutsch

Get your own Virtual Classroom

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Permalink Reply by SusanKG on April 2, 2009 at 2:01pm

Thanks! I'll check it out!

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