Getting Started: Matching Course Needs with Video Conference Technology

Finding the Right Solution:

The grid below can help you identify the appropriate communication technology for your class — whether you’re linking two classrooms, looping in single remote learners, or inviting remote experts to join the class.

Locate the type of configurations that most resemble your needs and find the technology that best fits. You can then read more about the technologies to ensure they support your instruction style and planned activities.

 

L  O  C  A  T  I  O  N    1
Faculty & Group of Students in Traditional Classroom Single Instructor Multiple Instructors in 1 Room Multiple Instructors in Multiple Locations on individual devices
L O C A T I O N 2 Faculty & Group of Students in Traditional Classroom Video Conference Video Conference; Video-Web Video Conference Video-Web
Multiple Students in 1 Room Video Conference Video Conference; Video-Web Video Conference Video-Web
Multiple Students in Multiple Locations on individual devices Video-Web Video Conference (Google Meet; Zoom) Video-Web Web Conference (Google Meet; Zoom)
Non-UMaine Guest Lecture Video-Web Video-Web Web Conference (Google Meet; Zoom)

Audio and Video Conferencing Tools at UMaine

Video Conference (VC) Classrooms

University of Maine System supports more than 65 video conference classrooms. These classrooms (listing is provided here) include a live video link including audio and shared media between the home and remote classrooms.

 Web Conferencing

A remote participant joins a room-based video conference via a laptop or desktop computer.

Zoom This web conferencing system connects students and faculty on their individual devices (desktop, laptop). It supports text chat, audio conferencing, video (individual webcams) and sharing computer screens and can accommodate up to 100 participants.

Best used for:

  • Large group lectures with occasional interactions with audience (mostly through text messaging)
  • Recording and archiving presentations for future reference

To get started, visit Zoom’s homepage and click Sign In.  Choose “Sign in with Google” and enter your UMS email credentials.

Much more information on teaching with Zoom is available Zoom’s Help Center.

Google Meet

Hangouts connect up to 15 students and faculty via laptops or desktops. This tool supports text chat, screen sharing, video (YouTube) sharing integrated with video and audio chat. Every member of the UMaine community has access via their UMS email account.

Best used for:

  • Office hours
  • Advising sessions
  • Student group assignments
  • Components of mostly face-to-face small seminar classes when the students are, at times, in many different locations, especially if the classes are upper level or graduate.

Key questions for choosing the best technology:

Choosing which video and audio communication technology best suits your course is essential. UMaine support three different tools for web and video conferencing.

  • How many students and faculty will participate?
  • Will additional faculty co-teach students in one or more locations?
  • From how many locations will students and faculty join the class?
  • What kind of gear and infrastructure is available at these locations?
  • What kind of video and audio collaborations will best help students learn (e.g. discussions, presentations, meetings)?