Online collaboration allows groups to work together in real-time over the Internet on documents and presentations. It enables sharing of resources, ideas, and skills to achieve shared goals. Key features of online collaboration tools include easy setup, security, and functionality like whiteboards for brainstorming or document sharing. Video conferencing provides a video link between people, allowing meetings without travel. While reducing costs, it may not replace in-person discussions. Items needed include a computer, webcam, microphone, speakers and software like Skype.

1. Online Collaboration and
Video Conferencing
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Group Head Office, The City School.
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2. Why is collaboration important?
It enables us to share resources, achieve shared goals,
share new ideas and new perspectives. It also allows us to
leverage new relationships by taking advantage of tools
and skill sets unique to each individual.
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Group Head Office, The City School.
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3. What is online collaboration?
Online collaboration lets a group of people work together
in real-time over the Internet. Those engaged in online
collaboration can work together on word processor
documents, Power Point presentations and even for
brainstorming, all without needing to be in the same
room at the same time.
There are many great online collaboration tools available,
which can help your team accomplish its goals.
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Group Head Office, The City School.
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4. Key features of an online
collaboration tool
A successful online collaboration tool needs to be easy to
use and set up. Then, it needs to be secure and to have the
features that will fit your purposes - these are different for
every team.
So if you mainly want to hold online brainstorming sessions,
for example, it’s important that the tool you choose has a
good whiteboard functionality.
Other useful features are the ability to upload documents, a
calendar and notifications by e-mail when changes have
been made to a document e.g.
www.wiziq.com,www.anymeeting.com and google docs etc.© Educational Technology Department,
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5. What is an audio conference?
An audio conference call is a telephone call or a call over
the internet in which the calling party wishes to have
more than one called party listen in to the audio portion
of the call.
The conference calls may be designed to allow the called
party to participate during the call, or the call may be set
up so that the called party merely listens into the call and
cannot speak.
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Group Head Office, The City School.
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6. What is video conferencing?
Video conferencing means using computers to provide a video-
link between two or more people. Instead of just talking to
someone by telephone, you are able to see them as well.
Video conferencing is a widely accepted mode of
communication among business houses as well as other
organizations. Like all technologies, it has its share of
advantages and disadvantages.
A couple of the top (free) social video conferencing sites
are Skype, google hangout and ooVoo. A couple of the top
business video conferencing sites are Webex Communications,
Polycom, and Tandberg video teleconferencing.
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7. Items required for hosting
a video conference
• a computer
• a web cam
• a microphone (most webcams have a microphone
built-in)
• speakers
• broadband Internet access
• Video conferencing software e.g. skype, oovoo, google
hangout etc.
• It is possible to buy a special video conferencing
machine just for this purpose.
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Group Head Office, The City School.
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8. Advantages and disadvantages of
video conferencing
Advantages Disadvantages
• Meetings can take place
without leaving the office.
• Travel costs and the time
taken to travel can be
reduced significantly.
• Meetings can be called
instantly worldwide with little
notice.
• Delegates can still attend
meetings even if they are
physically unable to.
• May not be as productive as a
discussion around a table.
• Confidential documents may
need to be viewed and signed
in person.
• There will always be times
when you need to be able to
meet face to face.
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Group Head Office, The City School.
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9. Use of video conference in
educational institutions
When video Conferencing is used in education, it is easier
to have interactive communications between teacher to
teacher, teacher to classroom, or classroom to classroom
with students in different places.
• Another benefit would be conjoining efforts. Now
groups of students from different parts of the world
can work as a team and share more ideas with one
another.
• Contests - Schools would be able to have competitions
with each other nationwide. Spelling Bees, Talent
Shows, etc. © Educational Technology Department,
Group Head Office, The City School.
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10. Use of video conference in
medical facilities
• Medical students can receive top of the line training
from qualified professionals who may be located at one
of the top 5 hospitals in the World.
• Individuals can view live procedures. Some medical
students assist the surgeons on procedures. However,
the benefits of video conferencing in this aspect is that
it can allow for several students to view procedures and
operations.
• It can allow for televised procedures to large audiences.
• Contact with doctors and staff at different branches or
facilities.
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Group Head Office, The City School.
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