The value and challenges of using web conferencing technology to integrate online students into campus activities
Abstract: Free and low-cost online meeting technology is now ubiquitous enough to allow for the development of live streamed programming of campus activities for online students. This “blended experience” approach breaks down the walls between online and traditional education by providing opportunities for online students to engage in synchronous interactions with students and faculty members on campus. WTCC used Adobe Connect meeting software to live stream six campus-based club events during the fall 2016 semester. These live streams were very popular, with 50% of club participants attending online. Survey data showed that online attendees found the meetings to be as engaging and valuable as did live attendees. Most importantly, most online attendees reported that the live stream provided the only opportunity for them to attend club meetings. This paper discusses plans for expanding live stream programming at Wake Tech, as well as a rubric for choosing among online meeting products.
Presider: Lyudmila Smirnova, Mount Saint Mary College