WiZiQ Blog

Now Conduct an Online Class/ Session/ Webcast/ Web Conference with 500 Attendees - For Free

Yes, you got that right.

WiZiQ, is now the only platform in the world that lets teachers, presenters, experts, workshop organizers, conference speakers and consultants to hold online classes or sessions with as many as 500 attendees - free of cost.

As of last week, you could conduct an online class with 50 attendees after signing up for free with WiZiQ. All it took was a valid email address. This limit of 50 attendees per class was already higher than other similar offerings in the market. And now, this limit becomes even more flexible. You can now have up to 500 attendees in your online class/ session/ conference. All you need to do is: register for free with WiZiQ>>schedule a class>>invite attendees and conduct the class. If it sounds simple, it is.

This enhancement is in keeping with continued addition and refinement of features available to both Free members and Premium members on WiZiQ. We plan to add and refine more features, over the coming month. So, keep watching this space :-)

Moodle Live Class GMT +13 Default Time Zone Problem

One of the most common problem, people who use WiZiQ Live Class for Moodle face is that the WiZiQ Virtual Classroom defaults to GMT +13 for all classes and all classes are scheduled in that time zone.

One of the simplest fix suggested by one of our teachers, Bryce lists these simple steps:

1) Open up the session.php file from the wiziq module [download] and go to line 33;
2) Look for $tmzone=$USER->timezone;
3) Change it to $timezone=$USER->timezone;
4) Save and upload the updated file

How to set your timezone in Moodle [so that it reflects while scheduling a class]:

Under "Location Settings", the administrator would need to select these specific values in the fields. For In Default timezone you must select the Server's local time option and In Force Default timezones, the administrator must select Users can choose their own timezone. Please note that these settings can only be done by the Moodle Administrator/ System Administrator.

Now individual users can go to Edit Profile link and select their specific time zone [time zone in which they are located or wish to showcase their classes in]. For instance, in the image below UTC-5 has been selected. After selecting this time zone, these settings should be saved.

Once you [teacher] changes as specified above, you would be able to schedule web conferencing classes for your time zone [as selected in your edit profile settings].

For any questions or comments, please write to us or post a comment on this blog post.

Teachers : Schedule a Public Class on WiZiQ the Easy Way

Public Online Classes are a great way to be noticed, get feedback on your teaching style, make contacts, showcase your work and increase your visibility on Google and WiZiQ. There are two ways to schedule a public online class on WiZiQ:

1. Apply for a public online class
2. If you have access you can create your own public classes

A few teachers have access to create public classes [point 2 above]. Applying for a public class meant someone contacted you, checked the information and then scheduled the class. Starting today, we are making the process simpler. From today on WiZiQ, all "teachers" would be able to schedule a public online class from the same interface that you schedule a private online class.

You can select "Public" option under "Privacy", if you want to schedule a public online class. Fill in the information like you do for your public class [we recommend at least 300 words for your self and 300 words for your class as well as at least 5 relevant tags] and select a date/ time [at least 48 hours or later], and that's it. For the first few public classes you conduct, we will approve the class. This is to ensure that good quality class is being offered to the students and miscreants do not take advantage of the open window with content, not appropriate for children. However, after a first few classes, we are happy to give you the control and not require approval.

For questions and comments, please write to us at support@wiziq.com

Online Class Recordings on WiZiQ

WiZiQ has powerful automatic recording functionality for your online classes. The following are the salient features of WiZiQ Recordings:

• All classes are recorded automatically and are completely secure - no one can share the URL
• Anyone can watch the recording if the teacher/ presenter shares the common URL
• Teachers/ presenters can select if they want to record the class for themselves or for their attendees [by default, all classes are recorded for teachers]
• Teachers/ presenters can take back the access to view recordings from attendees
• Teachers/ presenters can delete the recording
• Teachers/ presenters can invite contacts [WiZiQ/ email addresses] to watch the recording
• Teachers/ presenters can allow attendees to download/ not download the recording [premium feature]
• Teachers/ presenters can download the recording themselves [premium feature]

You can learn more about the Recordings on WiZiQ by browsing the following presentation:

WiZiQ Class Recording

Uploaded by Sarvinder-Sandhu on WiZiQ Tutorials

Best Practices in Live Synchronous Online Teaching

Moving from an offline classroom teaching to live online synchronous teaching [teaching face to face, and not using pre-recorded videos] is a giant leap not only in terms of technology but also preparation, etiquette and conduct.

A lot of what worked offline [preparing for your class well in advance, making your class interactive, using illustrations, explaining using an example, giving meaningful homework] continue to work well online too. Somethings change however. We look at some of these in this post:

1. Keep all your equipment ready and test it in advance : There is nothing worse than checking if the mic/ webcam/ headphone is working or not right in the middle of the class. Test once, twice and as many times as you need all your devices : computer/ laptop, mic, headphones, webcam. Try and use standard equipment to minimize the compatibility issues. If possible, test the devices with the students as well.
2. Check your connection settings : You can never have enough of bandwidth. Keep at least 512 kbps or more connection and make sure you do not download, use Skype/ messengers, stream videos during the live online class. The more the bandwidth you will divert to the virtual classroom software, the better would be the experience.
3. Processor Speed/ Memory : Whiteboards and Online Virtual Classrooms are memory intensive applications. Try and close all heavy applications like Adobe Photoshop, PowerPoint, pdf Writer and have maximum processor usage as well as memory available for the Virtual Classroom.
4. Always do a test : Even if you are a seasoned pro, always do a test for students new to your classroom. This will help you see if they suffer from device incompatibility or poor bandwidth issues. Doing this before the actual class can make the difference between a smooth or haphazard class.
5. Schedule your class in advance : Always schedule your class in advance [one week at least] and it is best to have the class at same day/ same time to set a rhythm and predictability to online learning for the students. This also helps students plan their day and week in advance. In case of any doubt, always ask the students for their preference for class time.
6. Prepare your class in advance : Attention spans on Internet are low. Hence, you need to be ready the minute the clock says "Go". Have your whiteboards ready with graphs and drawings as well as  the files [pdf/ PowerPoint/ Word/ Excel] you need and check the links [YouTube/ Slideshare/ Scribd/ authorStream] again to see that they work. The smoother you can make your class, the better the learning experience would be. Premium teachers can get their class ready beforehand easily on WiZiQ.
7. Have a moderator : If you are not that familiar with technology or you have more than 10 students in a class, consider having a moderator who can transfer controls to the students [speaking, writing, streaming video] and answer any technical queries from the students.
8. Have a holding slide : Say your online live class starts at 10 AM. Everyone starts logging in at that time and it can take everyone about 2-3 minutes to join the class. Have a holding slide with class title, objectives and welcoming the students [Please wait for 02 minutes and we will start the class in a few minutes]. Here is a good example of a holding slide : Simple Tips for Feng Shui for Abundance and Wellbeing 
9. Use Illustrations : Computers and Internet open up opportunity to go visual and aural. Make use of graphs, diagrams, emoticons, images, video and audio. This will bring your class alive and help students learn by associating with visuals and sounds.
10. Anonymous Feedback/ Chat : One of the advantage online classes provide to the learners is that they can communicate privately with the teacher [without worrying about what the rest of the class says]. Make use of this feature to the fullest. Let the class know they can send you a private message. This will allow each participant to get their doubts and queries resolved and answered.
11. Audio, video and writing controls : The more the people with audio, video and writing controls, the more chaotic the class can become. Limit the number of students with access to speaking in a class or writing on the whiteboard. This will allow others an opportunity to listen and wait, and if they have something to contribute, they can always type it in the chat area.
12. 02 hours is an epic online : Try and keep your classes under 02 hours. This means each of your class should be focused on key learning objectives and fit in only as many learning objectives as you can in 02 hours or less. If needed, meet daily but keep the live meetings/ classes short.
13. Engage students asynchronously as well : Students should be able to take back class material/ notes [through content sharing] and class recordings at a minimum. This allows students to leverage online environment for their own learning benefit. If possible, also have tests at the end of one/ few classes to check if the students have been grasping the subject. Apart from that, send students interesting videos, content, blog posts periodically as well.
14. Analyze student feedback : Best practices in how to conduct an online class are being currently written and researched. Your best guide would be your students. Talk to them, gather feedback and analyze their behavior. This will help you in the next class(es).
15. Handling Exigencies : You should know how to handle exigencies. If a class can not be conducted for whatever reason or one of the attendees is having some issues, try and extend the session, reschedule the session or ask the attendee to watch the recording later and spend the next class touching on the topic of the previous class.

Vikrama Dhiman

4th National Conference at GJIMT partnered by WiZiQ

A conference at Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Information Technology (GJIMT) was held on 22 November 2008 in collaboration with WiZiQ. Titled as National Conference on "Managing Innovations in Business Enterprises”, it aimed at a discussing how to manage innovative techniques in business ventures. The conference was attended by eminent scholars and teachers from the field. Certain key papers and presentation included:

• Marketing Innovations and its Impact on Consumers: A Study of Chandigarh and Mohali Consumers by Dr. Meenu Jaitly, HOD (MBA), Chandigarh Business School, Landran and Ms. Manpreet Kaur. 
• Consumer Generated Advertisement- An Innovative Tool for Marketing Strategy by Mr.Girish K. Gupta, Lecturer, Greater Noida Inst.of Management and Dr. Deepak Gupta, Director, Greater Noida Inst. of Management, Greater Noida. 
• E-Marketing as Global Tool of Marketing by Er. Rajinder Singh , Lecturer, Butta College of Engineering and Technology and Alok Kumar, Student, Butta College of Engineering and Technology. 
• Pro Active Leadership by Dr.V.P. Nagpal, Director Institute of Management Studies, Bhaddal. 
• Strategic Innovation by Mr. Rajnish Ratna, Faculty, Amity Businesss School, Noida and Ms.Akriti Kapoor, Student , Amity Businesss School, Noida. 
• Strategies and Techniques for Success of SME's in the Virtual Business Paradigm by Rashmi Aggarwal, Students , CIET, Jhansla and Deepika Chaudhary, Students , CIET, Jhansla. 
• Strategic Innovations by Mr. Shaminder Singh Sohi, Lect. Bhutta College of Engineering and Technology and Mr.Vikash Chandra, Student of Bhutta College of Engg.& Technology. 
• Deploying e-Supply Chain Strategies to formulate an e-organization by Mr. Sudhanshu Joshi Ñ, Faculty Member of Management Studies, Gurukul Kangri University, Uttrakhand. 
• Strategic Innovation - Suspension of Business Boundaries by Ms. Yogita Dixit, Lecturer,Manav Rachna College of Engineering and Ms. Rekha Singh, Lecturer,Manav Rachna College of Engineering, Faridabad. 
• Role of Media in Introducing Innovative Techniques in Educational Communication by Dr Sandeep Shandilya (Incharge Academics), Dr Sidharth Jain (Sr Lecturer) & Mr Anil Kr. Sharma (Sr Lecturer) Institute of Business Management, Mangalayatan University, Beswan, Aligarh (UP). 
• Petro-retail Business Model at Indian Oil by Ms. Sukhjinder Baring, Senior Faculty, Punjab College of Tech. Education, Ludhiana, Mahesh Gupta, Final year student in MBA-Finance, PCTE Ludhiana. 
• Political Marketing in India by Prof. Gurinder Singh, Professor, GJIMT, Mohali. 
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Ms. Sonia Pannu, Lecturer, Panjabi University, Patiala and Ms. Ritu khurana, Lecturer, Panjabi University, Patiala. 

While the presenters were discussing the topic at Chandigarh, it was being broadcast live on WiZiQ.  WiZiQ was the official web partener of the event.  Here is a link to the session: National Conference on Managing Innovations in Business Enterprises