Collaboration > Lightweight Chat
The Lightweight Chat tool is the chat portion of the Virtual Classroom only. This tool can be used in "low bandwidth" situations when real-time collaboration is required. The Lightweight Chat supports all of the same features of the Virtual Classroom chat.
The Lightweight chat window is where general class chat will occur. The chat window has two main function buttons, compose and send. When users click "compose" they will have a new window open that will allow them to compose longer messages in a large text box. The "send" button is used to broadcast the message to attendees. Two additional buttons related to the chat sessions are "Breakouts" and "Private Message". These buttons can be used to either send a private message or WebEQ equation to an individual, or conduct a breakout chat session amongst a small subset of users.
Clicking on the buttons labeled View, Clear, and End affect the rudimentary control items of the chat interface such as how the session displays, clearing the session display, and ending the session.
The button labeled "Controls" allows the instructor to give access to chat and private messaging to certain user types - passive and active. Passive and active settings apply to the list of users that appear in the left hand corner of the screen. To set a user to active click on their username and then select the icon that looks like a persons head. That will convert the user to "active". They will then be able to access any tools that you have assigned "Active" access rights to (via the button labeled "Controls".) The same steps apply for adjusting a user from an "active" to a "passive" state.
You have the ability to record collaboration sessions. To record sessions you can use the buttons on the top right part of the screen:
To begin recording of a session press the button that appears to be a circle. You will be prompted to provide a name for the archive. The pause button will temporarily pause recording, while the stop button (square) will stop recording entirely. The button with the file folder icon can be used to create a "bookmark" in the archived session. This will provide future users with a way to navigate to certain points in the archive when they are viewing it. When you are done archiving press the "stop" button.
Archives will be created on a session by session basis. After you have created an archive for a specific session you will see a new button appear next to the "join" button - the button will be labeled "Archive".
Clicking on the archive button will open a text transcript of everything that occurred in the session. return to top
Related FAQ's
Q: How are other instructors using this?
We have heard that instructors of blended (face-to-face and on-line) courses are using this tool for "virtual office hours".
Q: Does the Virtual Classroom tool support voice over IP?
No. return to top |
