The 'Instant Collaborate' kit
One of the uses to which we put our web conferencing software is the ‘Lunch and Lecture’ series which is part of an EU-sponsored Transport Technology MSc in Civil and Building Engineering.
Each month the part-time MSc students gather for a lunch followed by an afternoon of lectures on transport planning topics by guest lecturers. To promote participation from outside students, the presentations are webcast using Elluminate/Collaborate.
One problem is that the venue is rarely the same, so we have put together a kit which contains everything needed to host a Collaborate meeting in any room with power and networking points. It addresses many common problems, such as:
• Never enough power points
• Non-intrusive recording of the presenter
• Ability to field incoming comments from remote participants
The kit contains:
Logitech Sphere motorised webcam Zoom, pan and tilt allows field of view to be set from any placement of
the camera.
Powered speakers To allow the local audience to hear remote questions.
Targus laser pointer + airmouse Gives presenter freedom to move around as normal and still control
presentation (provided they stay in shot!)
KAM lapel and stick radio microphones Lapel mike for presenter and stick mike for audience both feed a mixer
in the receiver = one sound input to Collaborate.
USB headset for moderator So the moderator in the room can handle audio as well as text from
remote participants.
Every conceivable lead, adaptor and spare batteries Because nobody ever has the one you need!
… and needs the addition of two laptops, one for the presenter and the second for a moderator.