Large Group Conferencing (text chat, audio, video, podcasts)
Options for large group conferencing in the K-12 educational community.
Links
Podcasts have evolved into the medium of choice for educators to broadcast information. One of the best products is Anapkast.
For large group training and conferencing try WebEx or Microsoft's Live Meeting. A presenter can deliver an audio lecture, supplemented with PowerPoint or HTML slides for real time annotation. Attendees can chat among themselves via text or audio while the presentation is occurring and submit questions to the presenter. While not free like some of the other solutions, both allow you "try before you buy".
RadVision provides solutions for Distance Learning & Education, including video network infrastructure products and desktop video platforms.
One interesting option is creating PodCasts or MP3 files of lectures, talks and meetings. While not "real time", you can create audio files using simple very-low-cost software and hardware that students, parents or fellow teachers can download and listen to on their schedule. Many universities are now creating podcasts of all their lectures.
Another popular option for asynchronous meetings is Yahoo Groups. You can create a public or private forum that can include an mailing list, data bases, and image and file storage. Groups can be public or private, there's no charge to use it, and groups are easy to set up and use.
See Also
Annotation
From a K-12 perspective the need for such a large group presentation is less rare than in industry where such standardized training with a pittance of interactivity is standard fare. On the other hand, one can imagine a special event or large group lecture, followed by labs and discussion, by a world-renowned expert.
