What are webinars?
Webinars are seminars (or workshops, courses, or meetings)
held in the web. The idea is that one can take courses from his house
or office, saving the costs related to travel, hotels, etc. Webinars
held by the Portuguese Language Division are valid for the
Continuing Education Program (one hour of creditworthy activity
equals one CEP).
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What do you need to attend a webinar?
Probably you already have everything you need:
- Computer with a good Internet connection
- Speakers and microphone (headphones are highly recommended)
- Skype, web browser, and software to open the files you will receive
from the speaker (most probably PowerPoint, Word, Acrobat Reader,
OOo, etc.)
Additionally you have to register and pay its fee (if
any). You should also add pldata in
your Skype contact list
AND/OR accept requests from the user pldata to
be included in your contact list.
Adding pldata in your contact list can be done at any time, even if
you are not planning to take a Webinar right away, so it would be ready
when you need it.
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How to login in a webinar?
Webinar information is placed in the beginning of this
page. The information is also sent to you by e-mail. In both cases,
there will
be a link for you to go to the webinar's Skypecast page. This is
what the Skypecast page looks like:
Webinar
Page on Skypecast Click on the Join
this Skypecast link and
follow the instructions. You will have to login using your Skype
username and password, and to click Launch in a message that asks
you if you want to launch the associated application (Skype).
Once you have logged in, you are ready for the Webinar!
Skypecast
Window Other than the window above, you should
see a Chat Conference window. It is used to send messages and questions
for the speaker and participants at the same time.
Conference
Chat on Skype
To
send a message to a specific participant,
you can use the Conference Chat window (above) or the Skypecast
window (below). Place your cursor on the name of
the person you want to send the message to. Click on the associated
Chat icon--this will open a Chat window. Type your message
and click
enter.
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What to expect OR what happens next?
You should have received all the webinar material by
e-mail. Open the presentation file (probably a PowerPoint presentation)
and follow
it according to the speaker's instructions. Participants' microphones
will be mute during the presentation.
Every
once in a while (every slide or page) the speaker will ask if there
is any question and will unmute participants' microphones for their
questions and comments. While on mute, you can send your questions
and comments using the
Conference Chat (see above).
One of the advantages of following the presentation using your own
computer is that you can write your comments directly in the file
of the presentation. One of the "disadvantages" is that you have
to pay attention so you do not get lost. If this happens, remember,
you can always send a message asking where is the speaker in the
Conference Chat.
IMPORTANT
As in a real classroom, you need to focus on the presentation.
It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO DISCONNECT
FROM THE WORLD AND CONCENTRATE IN THE WEBINAR. That is, turn off, disconnect, or close any device
that can disrupt your attention. E.g.: close the door of your
office, disconnect your phone, close your e-mail program, etc. |
For your information: Skypecasts are open to
the public. Once in a while a stranger enters the "room".
Do not worry about it. The host
has the tools to mute or expel him/her from the webinar. Generally,
the stranger leaves the room by himself/herself once he/she finds
out the webinar is not of his/her interest.
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Are you the speaker?
Please visit our Setting Up
a Webinar page for instructions.
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What
if I do not find any interesting webinar?
If you do not find anything of your interest,
we are open to hear your suggestions. And if you have more people
interested in the same topic, better yet – we can try to find
the appropriate person to held a specific webinar. Contact
PLD's Administrator or Assistant Administrator.
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Can
I make a presentation (webinar)?
Of course. The Continuous Education Program is basically
built on a mutual learning proposal. If you feel you can contribute
to the
program, please contact PLD's Administrator
or Assistant Administrator. Additionally, your webinar could
be the base for a "presence" presentation at the PLD Meetings
or at the ATA Conferences. Even though we do not intend to turn webinars
into a commercial proposal, we do support the payment of nominal
fees to our speakers.
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What
is the difference between a Skypecast and a Skype conference call?
Skypecasts are "virtual rooms" where people can meet to discuss
a wide range of topics. We are using Skypecasts to hold webinars
(seminars, workshops, courses, etc.). Unlike a Skype conference call,
Skypecast allows a much bigger number of participants and allows
the host to control participants' microphone.
To know more about Skypecasts, please visit skypecasts.skype.com.
Basic Differences
Between Skypecasts and Skype Conference Calls
| |
Skypecast |
Skype Conference Call |
| Number of participants |
Host + 100 |
Host + 9 |
| Entry in the conference |
Participant Dependant |
Host Dependant |
| Microphone control |
Host can mute one or all participants |
Participant can control his/her own microphone.
Host does not control participant's mic. |
| Ejection from conference |
Host Control |
Participant has to leave by his/her
own will or host has to finish the conference |
| Privacy |
Anyone can enter the conference. (Even
though host can eject person afterwards) |
Host calls only people he/she wants too.
No stranger can enter the conference. |
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What about the future?
We are still looking for better Webinar solutions.
Commercial solutions are charged by the minute x number
of participants in a Webinar.
Even though they are just a bit more sophisticated than
our solution, they are very expensive.
We are studying a solution for software presentations.
In this case, participants will have access to the
instructor screen, so that they
could see the instructor working with a specific software. This
solution encompasses the installation of a Virtual Private Network
(VPN) and
a Virtual Networking Computing (VNC) software. For those with a technical
mind, we are thinking on a Hamachi +
TightVNC combo. Additionally,
the TightVNC team is developing the ideal solution for our goal, it
is
called
TightProjector.
When possible, we try to develop solutions based
on free, GPL-licensed software.
If you have experience or ideas on solutions, your suggestions are
welcome!
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