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URL www.adobe.com/products/adobeconnect.html Keywords communication, web-conferencing, phone calls

Adobe Connect
Category I Communication and Web-conferencing Tools Rationale

Since communication is the key stone of successful dealing in business, education and life, the need for developing communication on-line technologies is huge. With all the web conferencing features Adobe Connect offers including the use of whiteboard, or sharing documents and screen, remote group meetings can now be truly collaborative. Description Adobe Connect is an enterprise web conferencing solution for online meetings, eLearning, and webinars used by corporations and government agencies. It's based on Adobe Flash technology. Within the online environment it provides audio and video communication for small or large teams, for example up to 100 concurrent users. The system can be integrated in enterprise audioconference providers. Besides, Connect shows content (pdf, ppt, and other) and allows interaction with a Whiteboard, sharing of screen, breakdown meeting rooms, and integration in Learning Management Systems as Moodle, Blackboard or Sakai. You can see what is Connect here. Resources required The same as for other communication systems on the web, running Adobe Connect requires: Obligatory resources Desktop computer or laptop Reliable and stable Internet connection (preferably broadband) Licence for the host, the rest of participants only need Flash 10. Optional resources Headphone and microphone or headset for computer calls Built-in or external web camera for video calls Cost Partially: Adobe Connect is free for participants. For hosts there are several pricing solutions. It is recommended to talk directly to sales assistant, as Education sector can have in some countries special prices. Check here. You can find examples of purchase plans here. Now it is possible to buy up to 9 hosts per account. Each host can hold meetings with up to 100 attendees. If an annual plan is chosen, then the costs will be US $45.00/month/host. Setup and Configuration Once the licence is on, the host creates a meeting in the administration backend and he can send an email directly to participants so they can enter the virtual room. The room can be publicly available, private with password or private with URL. To use the system it is needed to have installed Flash 10. Regarding languages, Acrobat Connect Pro is available in English, French, German, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Turkish and Simplified Chinese. However, plan descriptions, account management features, and credit card purchase instructions for Acrobat Connect Pro Monthly and Annual and Pay-Per-Use plans are available in English only, and credit card transactions will be processed in U.S. dollars. 1
The project Autonomous Personal Learning Networks for Language Teachers has been funded with support from the European Commission. This document reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Styling Customization is possible, under certain plan conditions. Navigation and operation For new users the system can be a little bit difficult first time, as it is based on pods and it is needed a comprehensive vision: for participants, for whiteboard, for chat, for notes. Once this first impression is passed, the use is easy and friendly. A lot of support is available on the web to help users.

Here you can find a list of videos illustrating the operation. Implementation methodology Depending on what you want to do through Connect (meetings, webinar, training session), the implementation will be different.The basic idea is that this tool allows the delivery of materials and the communication on live. Teaching/Learning ideas: Distant learning form of delivering language content. Blended learning lessons. Organise training sessions for educators located in various locations at the same time. Simulate videophone calls and videoconferences in business language lessons. Practice task-based learning. Create reusable set of class materials. Hold project or business meetings. Invite guest speakers to class conversations. Promote foreign language learning through reciprocal peer communication.

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The project Autonomous Personal Learning Networks for Language Teachers has been funded with support from the European Commission. This document reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Example of implementation Type of lesson: General English Lesson title: Online meeting with an interesting personality from another country Level: B2 of CEFR Age group: Young adults Number of students involved: 20 Duration: 1 session of 90 minutes

Prepration: Before class, T creates class materials, including presentations, videos, homework assignments,

reference documents, and quizzes using tools available for producing quality online content. T can design an attendance list of enrolled participants. T opens an Adobe Connect meeting room for the needs of the meeting. This room can be reused for more than one class. E-mail invitations. The invitation includes a link to test their connection settings and system requirements. Suggest that students review reading assignments or other prerequisite materials prior to class to promote greater understanding, discussion, or collaboration during the online class. Ask students to come to class with prepared questions for the guest. Lesson flow: When the class begins, change to the Sharing layout and display your class agenda for review. Allow a few minutes to orient students to the Adobe Connect meeting room. After introducing the host, he or she can start going on with the prepared materials and present the topic. After the initial words of the guest, promote discussion and activity. SS ask prepared questions and come up with new ones. Follow-up: When presenting to a large audience, you may get more questions than can be handled so it is a good idea to have an assistant to answer them while the T keeps the meeting on track. The meeting can be recorded.

Other issues When designing video files for use in Adobe Connect, keep in mind that Adobe Flash video (FLV) files can be loaded into an Adobe Connect meeting room Share pod, but to show other video (such as AVI or MOV documents), you must share your desktop and play the video from your computer. For this reason, FLV is the best format for use in Adobe Connect. A comparative study among four similar systems: Karabulut, A. & Correia, A. (2008). Skype, Elluminate, Adobe Connect, Ivisit: A comparison of Web-Based Video Conferencing Systems for Learning and Teaching. In K. McFerrin et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2008 (pp. 481-484). Chesapeake, VA: AACE. http://www.editlib.org/noaccess/27212 Useful tips Find examples of implementation in different sectors. .

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The project Autonomous Personal Learning Networks for Language Teachers has been funded with support from the European Commission. This document reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.