[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/keyboard.jpg” caption=”Web conferencing enables students and instructors to interact online. File photo.”]Text, audio and video chat are just some of the services that enhance web-based teaching and learning at McMaster. These services are available through Elluminate, McMaster's web conferencing provider.

“We expected that students and instructors would have a positive reaction to anytime/anywhere teaching and learning,” said Muriel McKay, project manager for Web Enhanced Learning and Communication (WELC). “What we discovered was the potential this web conferencing tool has for all University business.”

Web conferencing can be used for a variety of applications, from liaising with remote high schools and international research collaborations to more local examples, such as conducting business meetings between the main campus, Downtown Centre and Innovation Park, said McKay.

Launched in October 2006, the first phase of the WELC project involved researching web conferencing products and consulting with other institutions to find out what programs they used and how they used them. The second phase started in October 2007 with the goal of expanding the project to include selected research collaborations and teaching needs.

Career Services will use web conferencing for its upcoming Get Hired Online Chat session on Monday, March 17. Students will be able to ask questions and chat with three career mentors in Calgary and the U.S.

“We're hoping to get students involved in their career development,” said Kathryn Hryb, senior career advisor at Career Services. They are also planning to use web conferencing to offer other student services, such as resume critiquing and interview consultations online.

The Faculties of Health Sciences, Engineering and Social Sciences as well as the DeGroote School of Business are also using web conferencing.

Other applications include: