WizIQ Blog

Web 2.0 and .Net - Two New Communities Added

WiZiQ has just introduced two more new communities - the Web 2.0 community and the .Net community.

The Web 2.0 Community

The objective of the Web 2.0 Community is to discuss next generation Web technologies commonly termed "Web2.0", like social media and interactive networking websites and online SAAS (software as a service) tools. As an example, WiZiQ itself is a Web 2.0 website.

The Web 2.0 community is a meeting place for experts, analysts and enthusiasts of Web 2.0 and for anyone wanting to learn about next-generation websites to enhance their online experience, and increase productivity. This community is for those who want to meet experts, participate in discussions/debates, share knowledge, and learn how to benefit with Web 2.0 tools.

Simply jump into the discussions right away. Look at topics that interest you, ask a question, share your knowledge with other experts, or start a new discussion by yourself. We invite all WiZiQ members to join, discuss and share, and help each other in improving our productivity with these new-age platforms and services.

The .NET Community

The objective of the .NET community is to exchange knowledge on Web development using ASP.NET, best programming practices, Web application architecture, ideas and articles, tips & tricks, and interview questions & answers. The .NET community invites all software developers, architects and project managers to join, discuss and share fundamentals of the most advanced Microsoft technologies, demonstrate expertise and help each other to sharpen development skills. Join .NET discussions or classes, practice some tests, read tutorials and interact with members in the community.

If you are a WiZiQ member, you can join these communities with a single click when you visit after logging in to your account.

WiZiQ's Best Web Conferencing Moodle Module Ever - Now Available

Here's some great news for all who have been looking forward to an update on our Web conferencing  module for Moodle. Yes, our Moodle module has just been updated to version 1.1. We have added a lot of usable features and improvements to help teachers and students make the best use of this module. There are improvements in module installation, Virtual Classroom features, recordings, rescheduling, scheduling for groups, etc. Here are the details:

Virtual Classroom Features

1.      Screen Sharing is supported
2.      Teachers can enter the class before start time
3.      Attendees can be blocked selectively
4.      You-Tube videos are supported
5.      Virtual Classroom can be co-branded with your own name
6.      Chat can be disabled for all attendees

Download Recordings

Class teachers and students can now download recordings of the classes they attend. Class downloads allow you to:

1.      View classes offline (Internet connection is not required)
2.      Distribute your recordings on CD/DVDs
3.      Own your recordings forever using your own storage media

Change class date and time and other options after you schedule a class

Reschedule a class - Time and date changes made to classes will automatically reflect in your Moodle calendar.

Schedule a class for a group in your course

You can choose to schedule a class for a group or groups in that course. Only group members have access to your class.

Easier Installation

Now the Soap module is not required to install the Live Class module, which was a requirement in previous versions.

Secure class

- All scheduled classes are secure and accessible only to members to attend
- The Presenter can invite other member(s) to join a class by simply sending the class link
 
Secure recordings

- Only the attendees in the class get access to the class recording
- A common link to the recording is provided to the Presenter, which can be distributed to others for viewing

See class status and attendance reports for your classes

- Track the status of the class scheduled, missed or done
- View attendance of all class participants with details like time of entry and exit

Download the new Moodle module now!

If you have general questions about this module update, you are welcome to start a discussion on e-teaching Community so that other teachers can also benefit. You can also go through the past discussions on Moodle module from the links below.

My Wonderful Experience with Moodle for Teachers and WiZiQ, From A Learner's Perspective...Me, by Jeanine Jenkins

Moodle class module, by Amy Joe Garner

Special thanks to all teachers and administrators who provided us valuable inputs to improve this module. We hope that this module helps teachers interface better with students for an enhanced teaching and learning experience. We look forward to your comments and feedback.

WiZiQ in the eyes of Education Bloggers - Part II

We profiled some Bloggers writing about WiZiQ sometimes back. We profile some more in this post:

James T. Cook, an instructional designer writes:

Then, there is WiZiQ, the answer to those wanting similar services from Centra or Elluminate; however, they want it for free.  WiZiQ is probably one of the most powerful systems on the Web for free…next to Google Docs.  I say this because it brings you one step closer to bridging the social presence gap in online learning.

The entry is What is WiZiQ?

Janet Bianchini, an ELT Teacher and Blogger, writes:

Well, I have just logged off from my first live online conference via WizIQ. It was the most amazing experience. So much happening in real time- wonderful video presentations, text messaging, live chatting, using an IWB for the first time, connecting with so many people at once, viewing wikis, viewing photos, it was the most incredible experience I have had in a while!

The entry is Live WizIQ online Conference re Digifolios and Personal Learning Spaces

tech_otter, an instructional designer writes:

This week I looked as WiZiQ, a free Web Conferencing tool that was recommended to me by one of my readers. It does the same thing Adobe Connect (formerly known as Breeze) does, but it is free and does not require software installation (it does require Flash). I was pretty impressed with how easy it was for me to join a session and interact with the session leader (instructor or teacher).

The entry is Review: Web-Conferencing Tool: WiZiQ

Edward Cleary, a public class presenter at WiZiQ and a management trainer

I have discovered an application that is web based, requires no download, allows for full sharing of audio, video, slides, and desktop. It even records the sessions for you if you want people to play them back later. It's called WiZIQ.com. It's in a beta stage but from what I have experience, it's reliable.

The entry is New Venture

Adams 14 Schools, Global Learner Blog writes:

Love this tool! Great for real-time collaboration and gives so many choices for communication (text, voice, video, annotation) that it is very versatile.

The entry is Who's in YOUR 5?

Kirsten Winkler, a German Language Instructor writes:

The session itself was really smooth. There were between 8 to 13 students with me in the classroom, the text chat was stable and my voice could be heard clearly by the participants. Just two or three minor breakdowns of the voice chat during the session.

The entry is Review: Public Session on WiZiQ.com

Web Worker Daily, writes:

The web service bills itself as an “Online Educational Platform for Teachers and Learners” and is available free of charge. What it provides is a virtual classroom, the purpose of which is left completely up to users. Definitely an attractive proposition, and one which I can think of many uses for in terms of web working applications.

The entry is WiZiQ: Teach and Be Taught

WiZiQ is one of Jane Hart's Top Tools for 2009

Jane Hart, a reputed e-Learning blogger has included WiZiQ in her list of Top Tools for 2009. Read more about the same in her post Top Tools for 2009.

Jane has also written about WiZiQ Virtual Classroom Embed and WiZiQ Virtual Classroom for Moodle too.

Embedding Virtual Classroom from WiZiQ on Blogger/ Blogspot, Wordpress or Typepad

WiZiQ Virtual Classroom Embed on Blogger/ Blogspot.com by Sarvinder Sandhu

Upload and Share your Documents Online

WiZiQ Virtual Classroom Embed on Typepad by Sarvinder Sandhu

Upload and Share your Documents Online

WiZiQ Virtual Classroom Embed on Wordpress by Sarvinder Sandhu

Upload and Share your Documents Online

WiZiQ Recommended to Senator of Wymoing

Forrest Greenwood, a premium teacher with WiZiQ, wrote a nice email to Senator John Barrasso of Wymoing.

We reproduce the same here:

Dear Senator:

RE: Teaching on-line in a virtual classroom

Although I call Laramie my home, I am retired and live in rural (and a very poor area) of Thailand. I am trying to use WIZIQ to teach English on-line, and I provide the following link about Christmas. You should be able to watch a recording of the class (and hear my wife’s translation) if you paste this link into your address line.

http://www.wiziq.com/tutorsession/detail.aspx?id=4C5CB2531A7B4838B491BBA9DAB18D98

In a changed America, I think on-line teaching makes a lot of sense. I have talked to three people at University of Wyoming about this technology. At first they were interested, but I think using this method does not fit into their business plan. I think it is a fit for Wyoming, though, where distance and bad weather make attendance difficult.

My bandwidth in Thailand is low and iffy, but as long as I do not try and stream video it works. I should also say that I’ve lived the last twenty years as an expat, and have often been embarrassed by the British Embassy (in Jeddah and in Thailand) offering free English classes when the American Embassy did not. I wonder if there may be room for a new peace-corps.-type of initiative to Teach English overseas and on-line.

Merry Christmas and have a great (and innovative) new year.

Forrest Greenwood
128/1 M. 9
T. Promnimit
Takhli, Nakhonsawan
Thailand 60210