WiZiQ Blog

Using WiZiQ's Live Class Modules with Moodle

Using the Free Virtual Classroom with Moodle

The Online Virtual Classroom on WiZiQ is a free alternative to expensive web-conferencing software, and has audio and video, chat, whiteboard and multiple document sharing support. This collaboration tool can be used for synchronous online sessions with Moodle. Teachers can connect globally with students using this tool. To use the virtual classroom, Moodle administrators can now download WiZiQ's Live Class modules for Moodle and install these modules in the Moodle installation on their server.

Users can simply activate our "Block." and launch an "Activity" right from within Moodle. How-to video tutorials are available on the downloads page for Moodle here:

http://www.wiziq.com/downloads/moodle/

On Moodle

Activity: http://moodle.org/mod/data/view.php?d=13&rid=1113

Block: http://moodle.org/mod/data/view.php?d=13&rid=1114

The modules have been successfully tested on Apache, PHP and MySQL installations and support Microsoft IIS server installations also.

Highlights of the Virtual Classroom

1. It is free, both for teachers, and students.
2. It works with Flash and so no downloads for students or teachers whatsoever.
3. Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files, and .pdf, .swf, .jpeg and .gif files can be uploaded to the Virtual Classroom. Animations are supported in .ppt and .pps presentations.
4. Presentations from the public content library on WiZiQ can be imported into the Virtual Classroom for reference.

Designed for Education

We have kept only the educational user in mind while designing and developing the Virtual Classroom. We deliberately offer less, but more useful features to keep things simple.

You can see our latest video on YouTube here, and you can join a live demo session (see upcoming), or view a demo recording (see archives) by Mark Cruthers, an AP History teacher, here.

Opinion

"Yeah, now we can even integrate WiZiQ with Moodle as an 'Activity Module'! This is the one learning tool really missing in Moodle! WiZiQ to the rescue! I love it :)" Zaid at ZaidLearn.

"One product proposed by two of our distance education teachers is a new plug-in/add-in called WiZiQ.  The product is a “synchronous distance education system” and allows teachers and students work in a collaborative environment (audio, video, whiteboard, etc.).  Tests so far have gone better than ever anticipated!!!"  Barry stewart at the Prairie South Moodle Tech Blog.

"It is just amazing. Now I only can hope that my employer chooses Moodle for the school learning environment." Leena on Passionate Teachers at Ning.

Latest Updates

May 19, 2008: Live Class Module for Moodle Updated

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Jagdeep Singh Pannu

Cat 2007 Preparation Free Help in Live Seminars

We have collaborated with TCY, to bring to our members a series of live, online web seminars titled:

“Countdown to CAT 2007”

These sessions are focused at helping you strategize your preparation in the last few weeks before CAT.

Inaugural Session:

Topic: Ever Changing CAT Pattern

Presenters:

Atul Prashar

An Industrial Engineer by qualification, Quant Expert, and a Certified Business English Trainer, Atul is working in the capacity of Center Head - TCY CHD since 2004 with TCY Chandigarh center.

Munish Kumar

Munish has a rich experience of teaching Mathematics and Data Interpretation to CAT/ MBA aspirants at TCY. His short-cut methods have helped thousands of students eliminate the use of pen-paper considerably and solve questions very fast.

Schedule and Participation:

To check schedule and participate, simply visit:

http://wiziq.com/session/910 and register. As always, participation in these seminars is absolutely free.

You can leave a comment here if you any questions about these sessions.

Jagdeep Singh Pannu

Surprised WiZiQ is Free? You are not alone!

Yes, we do get a lot of responses from members who are just surprised at what we are offering at no cost to online teachers; here are some recent comments:

Wow Technology

"This is exciting. The sky is the limit with the technology you have shown me. I agree every site that claims it is teaching homeschoolers should be using this technology."

Yes, most certainly, with the support of all users who like our technology we are seeing constant spikes in user activity in their virtual classrooms, and hundreds joining every day on their recommendations.

Hey I Want to Pay!

We even get offers from teachers to pay for the free virtual classroom! take this for instance:

"I'm VERY satisfied with your web tool. In the future I hope to use it much more. It's hard for me to believe it's free. Would you like me to pay a fee to ensure service? Please advise." 

Free is Barter?

Does free always have to be barter? well?... read on...

" I was initially turned off by the “free” because there is no way to provide something for nothing. What is being bartered? Is always my question. So I read further and saw that there will be a subscription fee for advanced services. This made me feel more comfortable."

To quote our entry in the FAQs,

"In future, we will offer certain advanced features on WiZiQ for a monthly subscription fee. However, basic features on WiZiQ will always be free."

So, we are not planning to remove access to your shiny virtual classroom on WiZiQ, and all the advanced features that you currently enjoy. Rather, we are still in Beta and we are constantly improving our tools and website interface, and trying to bring in more value to the education community in general.

Yes I Like It!

"Hi I received notice of an event promoting WiZiQ and logged in to have a look at the software. It looks great - really simple to use, intuitive and all the things that online tools need to be to encourage wide uptake."

Here's a BIG THANK YOU to all our members who use WiZiQ, and users who are spreading the word.

Well? So what do you think of WiZiQ? Do leave a comment.

Jagdeep Singh Pannu

Teaching 2.0 - What's the Future?

Here's an interesting post by Will Richardson on Weblogg-ed: The Future of Teaching where Will writes about his interaction in a workshop titled, “The Future of Learning Agents” in Palo Alto, and here is a presentation by Harman Singh : Teaching 2.0

Both reflect the paradigm shift from traditional teaching that can be expected in education catalysed by online and future technology, and future learner needs.

Will writes, "we’re looking at a future where there will be many different opportunities for working with kids and communities in a teaching role other than the traditional idea of what a teacher is." He also talks about an exercise, where the attendees of the workshop discovered that typically, the demand 10 years down the future would not be for candidates who fit in our present description of a "traditional teacher"; rather, he asserts, "the group identified candidates that had a wide variety of life experiences and attributes, most centered on the ability to facilitate or connect, and an understanding of social technologies and deep collaboration."

Harman reflects a learner's mindset, "I like learning at my own pace, what content is good for my term paper?' and gives examples how information will be available and would be accessed. Also, Harman points out potential benefits, "Benefits information creation, information retrieval at ones own pace, and helping other learners and teachers"

Knowledgeworks Foundation & the Institute For The Future have an interactive, detailed map of future forces affecting education, which provides a deep insight on the driving factors influencing future education.

Yes, technology in education and future needs are all set to change how the world looks at, and accepts education. Even today we must agree that every day we learn something new--not always from educated teachers with elaborate degrees--but from life experiences, success stories, and knowledge sharing and accessibility. Go ahead, give the Virtual Classroom a spin for the real feel. This is where all experienced minds will converge to teach what they have been successful at, and what they experienced in life.

Jagdeep Singh Pannu

Live, Online Demo of WiZiQ's Virtual Classroom by Mark Cruthers

Mark Cruthers has scheduled a free live session on WiZiQ to give a real-time feel of the Virtual Classroom on WiZiQ. The session shall be held on Tuesday, 18th September, 2007, 3:00 PM To 6:00 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada).

Mark is a teacher at Rancho Cucamonga High School, Pinon Hills, California. He is a 16 year teaching veteran and has taught advanced placement subjects for seven years in AP US History, AP European History, AP American Government and Politics.

You can register free if you want to have a live feel of WiZiQ's Virtual Classroom technology from a teaching veteran.

Thanks in advance for the session Mark!

Jagdeep Singh Pannu

Why WiZiQ?

I don't feel the need to go into minute details so let's keep it short and simple; here are some obvious reasons:

Teachers

1. There are no costs involved; free virtual classroom.
2. Teachers can make money.
3. Teachers can maintain their profile and market it, and keep an availability schedule.
4. Members can build their own content library. Teachers can use their content library in the virtual classroom.
5. Sessions in the virtual classroom are recorded and can be accessed/shared later.
6. Teachers can network with other teachers and students.

Learners

1. Students can find teachers
2. Build their learning network
3. Communicate online in real time

Jagdeep Singh Pannu