As mentioned previously, I have been using Ustream and Camtwist to mediate my Wednesday night sessions of EC&I 831. In combination with Skype conferencing, you can perform many of the useful functions of the very pricy Elluminate.
What you can do:
– Deliver video and audio via webcam (or other video camera).
– Broadcast timed or manual slideshows.
– Broadcast video files and Flickr sets.
– Broadcast your entire desktop or select pieces.
– Use IRC chat.
What’s missing?:
– Higher quality video broadcasts, web tours, and larger resolution presentations.
– Hands-up features or ways to identify who will communicate next.
– Built-in, “real” screencasting.
– Privacy/password protection.
– Ease of setup for instructors.
We have been using Elluminate on Tuesdays and the Ustream solution on Wednesdays. Elluminate is a stable, dependable tool. However, seeing that many free tools are now available which do many of the things that Ustream can, Elluminate will eventually need to change their pricing structure. To me, their licensing costs are simply outrageous.
The solution I have mentioned is not for everyone. I do not expect everyone to take to it as easily and with as much enthusiasm as I have. However, for those eager to try/learning something new, webcasting with these tools is a lot of fun. Let me know if you need any advice setting it up.
Also, I have put together a short screencast to show you the tools in action. Take a look.
Just a note to let you know about Elluminate vRoom, our free virtual meeting room for up to 3 users. It has all the functionality of Elluminate Live! (except recording). You can use as many rooms as you want for as long as you want for virtual office hours, one-on-one tutoring and mentoring, small group projects, and more.
Keep on Elluminating!
– Beth, Elluminate Goddess of Communication
It’s been very interesting watching you experiment with this class both in terms of pedagogy and technology. You’ve done some great work here. I’ll include that for the PC, ManyCam is the Camtwist equivalent which really takes video broadcasting to a new level as you’ve suggested.
Well I might as well jump into the fray. Ustream staff and its user community have come up with many ingenious (and inexpensive) ways to solve most every problem educators typically encounter. Please feel free to visit us at one of the live channels or email ustreamtech@gmail.com, yahoo.com or ustreamtech@ustream.tv,,
If your having probs stop by Ustream help channels; http://www.ustream.tv/channel/aeiz or http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ustream-users-community-forum and we will get you going.. and welcome to ustream.tv
I personally recommend Yugma for real-time screen sharing. Been using them for a year. Dead-simple easy to use and very reliable. Works on Mac, Pc, and Linux. And the app integrates with Skype and Outlook. They have a freemium model. I use the $10/month version which I think is an amazing value, especially since I use it every day.
-peter