Online Classes, Workshops & Presentations by Jayne Cravens

Technology Tip Sheets By Coyote Communications

Online Classes, Workshops & Presentations
by Jayne Cravens

I am available for live/synchronous online events, but I would prefer such to not occur later than noon U.S. East Coast time (which is 7 p.m. here in Germany), and no sooner than 6 a.m. my time (yes, I'm talking to you, Australia).

I can also participate in asynchronous (not live) online events, such as teaching an online course or moderating or facilitating a bulletin board for a set period (a week, a month, whatever).

For instance, in May 2008, I presented live via iVisit, a free online video tool, from here in my home in Germany for the Northern Volunteer Managers Forum (for volunteer managers in the Northern suburbs of Adelaide) in Australia, coordinated by Andy Fryer. My presentation was regarding online volunteering. At left, the first three photos are screen shots which represent what I saw via the camera they set up. It was helpful that I could see most of the participants in the background, and also the person asking a question at the bottom of the screen, all at the same time. The last photo is from the audience's point of view; the image on the wall looks very faint, but that's because of the photo. It was much more clear in reality.

(If you want to know what I'm like presenting online, you can view one of my videos at YouTube.)

The presentation was just 45 minutes; any more than an hour would, in my opinion, get boring for participants. It was helpful that, before my presentation (before I was even online), the meeting's facilitator provided the group with:

information about me (brief biography)
a brief review about what the presentation would be about
how questions would be asked (people took turns sitting in the "hot seat" at the front of the room), and the facilitator either pushed the talk button for them, or showed them how to do it.

The group came ready with questions; many had obviously done a bit of reading about online volunteering before the presentation, and that helped us to be able to jump right into detailed questions and answers.

Logistics For Presenting Online

I can use any free software that can operate on my MacBook running OS X (you do NOT have to be on a Macintosh). I have a built-in web cam and a built-in microphone (though I prefer to use a headset or clearer audio). I prefer doing video conferencing with iVisit (which is free), but am open to using other software.

For me to present to your group remotely, you need:

a computer (doesn't have to be an Apple) with fast Internet access, hooked up to speakers that can be turned up loudly and be heard clearly by everyone in attendance (the audio clarity is as important, if not more, than the video)
an iVisit account, which is free (or great familiarity with another free package that I can easily download)
for video: a projecter/beamer, to display me as I appear on the desktop of the group's computer so that the whole group can see me (but, again, audio clarity is as important, if not more, than video clarity)
a microphone hooked up to the group's computer, so that each attendee can come to the mike with questions.
To rehearse with me at least one week in advance, to ensure your computer and connection is working, and set up several minutes before the presentation is to start, to ensure we start on-time and there are no tech or audio issues.

I may only see the person who asks a question, or I may see the entire group, depending on how you set up your webcam.

For me to present to several individuals at once who each have laptops:

each computer must have Internet access
each computer needs clear audio (either built-in, with speakers or with headphones)
each computer must have an iVisit account
there needs to be a practice session at least one week in advance, with each other and either myself or a stand-in presenter
there must be a previously agreed-to protocol for asking questions.

Participants do not need webcams or microphones themselves, unless the protocol is for them to ask questions via video or audio rather than instant messaging. This is a more complicated setup than the aforementioned, and needs to be rehearsed before the actual presentation is confirmed, to ensure that it will really work for all participants.

Other online presentations I've done, using various synchronous and asynchronous software:

A live online Q & A via instant messenger (chat) with Master's degree students in SOCW 6355: Advanced Use of Information Technology in Human Services at the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work. February 2007 & February 2008.
Taught an online module regarding online volunteering via an online bulletin board (asynchronous/not live) as part of graduate classes at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Policy at the University of Texas at Austin in 2004, and part of the class Volunteer Program Planning and Evaluation for the University of North Texas, 2001, 2002 and 2004.
Presented live online for Pro Bono Net in February 2003, via WebEx (going through a PowerPoint presentation) and via phone (all participants could hear me as I went through the presentation on their own computers). This was for participants in its www.lawhelp.org initiative.
Presented live for the InterAction ICT Initiative, via phone and online for D.C.-based office and participants across the U.S., January 2003 (each participant downloaded the presentation prior to the call, and went through it on their own computer desktops while listening to me on the phone).
NetAid, via phone and online, for NGO representatives from former CIS states, March 2003 (the office downloaded the presentation prior to the call, and beamed it on a large screen for all onsite participants to view, and had a speaker phone set up so we could all talk to each other; an onsite translator was present onsite at the audience's location as well).
Volunteers and Technology, and Gender and the Digital Divide, two asynchronous (not live) online events/ongoing discussions) for TechSoup, 2002 & 2003.
Live Web Event, with presenters in Germany, Jordan, Seattle and Geneva, for United Nations Volunteers, October 2001. This was done via RealPlayer and video conferencing software. This two-day event also featured Tim Berners-Lee, who credited his creation of the Web to the contributions of online volunteers.

Contact me for more information and my very reasonable speaking fees. We can also do a free test run, provided that you have a computer that can run iVisit or whatever tech tool you want to use.

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