The Education Technology department offers one-on-one training sessions on three different video-conferencing software: Cisco WebEx, Microsoft Teams, and Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. These three software all have their own strengths and weaknesses, but our staff is well versed in each and will answer any questions or concerns you may have, no matter your experience level with the software or technology as a whole.

By leveraging Webex, Teams, or Collaborate Ultra you gain the ability to:

• Host & attend live online lectures or meetings
• Share content on your screen in real-time for advanced student engagement
• Record meetings to a video file format, which can then be posted to BlackBoard
• Use advanced tools to create polls or breakout rooms, share files directly, and more

To schedule a training session with one of our staff members or for more information, please contact department coordinator Alfonzo Lewis at alfonzo.lewis@ctstate.edu.

For further reading about your video-conferencing software of choice:

• Webex Resources
• Microsoft Teams
• Blackboard Collaborate Ultra

• Arrive well before your meeting starts to test your video-conferencing system and the peripherals (camera, microphones) attached to your computer.

• Do an audio check before the virtual meeting begins to ensure that everyone can hear you.

• Wearing headphones or earbuds can prevent "feedback" - an issue where the audio coming from your meeting enters the microphone input source continuously, normally resulting in an annoying, shrill sound.

• When possible, keep your microphone muted when you won't be speaking. Background noise sent over un-muted microphones can be the single most common problem encountered during digital meetings.

• Utilize a hardwire connection (ethernet) for internet access whenever possible. This avoids a wide variety of issues introduced by the (comparatively) slower speeds of wireless connections.

• If your internet upload speeds aren't the strongest, using audio only may help with bandwith issues. The video component of video conferencing is very intensive on internet streaming.

• Be natural, but limit excess movement to avoid looking jerky on screen. If you walk around while speaking, remain in a small area and walk slowly.

• Minimize distracting glare and uneven lighting by pulling the shades on windows and doors and covering glass-framed wall hangings.  You should minimize combining outside light with indoor fluorescent lighting to prevent problems with the videoconference camera and the quality of your image.

• Make sure the room has adequate lighting, typically what would be used for standard office work. If it's too dark, the other sites won't be able to see you clearly.

• Try to set up a back channel for communication to the other site(s) such as with Instant Message client or email.  This allows for communication without interrupting the discussion.

• Wear neutral, muted, or pastel solid colors. Avoid plaids, stripes, polka dots, very bright colors, and the colors white or red—they can cause distracting effects on screen.