So, I’ve put
together a quick list of Open Source Webinar / Web-Conferencing software. They
can be downloaded, and you can customize the look and feel, as well as
providing hosting in an environment that you feel is more secure than using a
commercial solution.
BigBlueButton.
http://www.bigbluebutton.org
Let me state for the record that I am a BIG fan of BigBlueButton. The
interface is straightforward and easy to use, and it’s flexible. You can
participate with a video feed, or simply use an audio bridge. Participants can
instant message as well as participate with audio bridge, and, to a limited
extend, with video. I also like the fact
that BigBlueButton is accessible for Moodle 1.9 and above. However, there is a
minor downside – your Moodle host may not have the latest plugin installed, and
they may not be willing to install it.
So, there could be bugs.
Video: Working with BigBlueButton in Moodle...
In that
case, the following options are available:
·
Option 1:
Change Moodle to a different hosting solution. Not always a good idea,
since it’s not always easy to migrate everything to a new provider, especially student
records and registrations.
·
Option 2: Download BigBlueButton on your own webhosting
provider. Some, like Fat Cow and Earthlink, will let you do so. However, check
for bandwidth usage and data transfer fees. They can add up quite quickly.
· Option 3:
Use a commercial hosting service such as HostBBB.com http://hostbbb.com/ or Generic Conferencing (http://www.genericconf.com). The downside
is that your web conference / virtual class will need to be rather small to be
affordable. For up to 5 attendees, it’s only $12.95 per month. However, with up
to 50 attendees, the price escalates to $74.95.
In this case, it starts to seem as though a “per seat” solution such as
one that Omnovia (their own interface, not BBB, although similar) offers ($50 /
month, and $3.50 per seat) might be more affordable. It’s hard to say, though.
It depends on how often you host webinars, and how many attendees you
consistently have.
Getting Started with BigBlueButton in Moodle 2.3
Getting Started with BigBlueButton in Moodle 2.3
Note: I used
to be an empassioned Elluminate devotee, but then they were acquired by Blackboard, and
essentially imprisoned within an LMS. BIG Thumbs Down! I love solutions that
can be standalone as well as integrated into your LMS (OpenSource and
otherwise), and of course, if web conferencing software is OpenSource, it’s
even better because can be a huge driver of innovation.
There is a
Moodle Plugin for OpenMeetings, which is good if you’re hosting Moodle on your
server. If you’re not, and you’re relying on someone else’s hosting services,
you may not have administrative rights / permissions to add the plugin.
In that
case, you’ll need to contact the administrator and ask them to go to the Moodle
Plugin page and download the latest version.
Here’s a link to the Moodle Plugins Directory : https://moodle.org/plugins/index.php
Non-OpenSource
Web Conferencing Moodle Plugins
WizIQ: http://www.wiziq.com
WizIQ has a
couple of very interesting products that will work in Moodle 2.4. There is a Virtual Classroom plugin, along
with a Live Class web conferencing module / tool.
