Web Conferencing Tool Comparison

Compare the features of TU's web conferencing tools to decide which best fits your needs.

Web Conferencing Tools Comparison

PRODUCT	FEATURES	AUDIENCE	Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)
Webex	Send instant messages (text chat) Conduct Online Meetings with sharing capabilities Share files from your computer or from OneDrive Equal Control for all participants over content Download on multiple devices Integrates with Outlook and other office products Ties into TU directory Virtual Backgrounds	Staff Faculty Students Participants outside of TU Up to 5,000 participants in a space	Webex VPAT
Webex Meetings	Closed Captioning available Conduct Online Meetings with sharing capabilities Text chat Integrates with Outlook and Office products Polling function Record sessions Digital whiteboarding Conduct virtual events FERPA/HIPAA compliant Accessible for most learners Conduct virtual events (through Events Center) Virtual Backgrounds	Staff Faculty Students Participants outside of TU Up to 1,000 participants	Webex Meetings VPAT (PDF)
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra	Conduct Online Meetings through Blackboard with sharing capabilities Text chat Polling function Record sessions Digital whiteboarding Breakout sessions Timer (count down, count up) Accessible for all learners	Faculty Students Guest lecturer Users of assistive technologies	Blackboard Collaborate VPAT (PDF)
Zoom	Conduct Online Meetings with sharing capabilities Text chat Polling function Record sessions Audio transcription Digital whiteboarding Breakout Sessions Accessible for all learners Virtual Backgrounds	Staff Faculty Students Participants outside of TU Up to 300 participants	Zoom VPAT (PDF)

Lecture Capture

TU options include Panopto and VoiceThread.

Using Web Compliant Technology

Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, Webex Meetings, Webex and Zoom are very similar tools. Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is recommended when interacting with individuals who require the use of a screen reader, as it's currently the closest compliant web conferencing technology. In general, Blackboard Collaborate Ultra should be used when interacting with students because it's difficult to project if a disabled student will be added to class rosters during the add/drop period.

Which Tool Should You Use For . . .

Conducting a video conference within a Blackboard course.

Use Blackboard Collaborate Ultra experience, which opens in your browser, so you don't have to install any software to join a session.

Quickly instant messaging a colleague.

With Webex you can instantly chat and share content.

Delivering an online lecture.

Using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, Webex Meetings, or Zoom because the call quality is strong and you can deliver a slide show or share any other content with your viewers.

Meeting with a student virtually.

If you have a Blackboard course, use Blackboard Collaborate Ultra to quickly meet with students to answer questions, collaborate with them or hold virtual office hours.

You may also use Webex Meetings or Zoom if meeting outside the Blackboard environment.

Meeting with a student that relies on assistive technology.

Use Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, which was designed and developed in accordance with the internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility (WCAG) Guidelines 2.0 Level AA as well as the Section 508 standards in the United States.

Obtaining total control of a meeting.

Use Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, Zoom or Webex Meetings. As the host, you can assign a variety of privileges to participants (such annotation and printing rights), mute and unmute participants and control sharing rights.

Using a web conferencing solution if you don’t have a Blackboard course.

Use Webex Meetings, Zoom or Webex. If you have Blackboard course, Collaborate Ultra is your best solution.

Hosting a large virtual event.

Webex Meetings/Event Center is the recommended online tool for faculty, staff, and students to host events up to 1,000 participants. If you need to host an event that exceeds 1,000 participants, or need specific guidance on your event, submit a TechHelp service request (select "Employee Role>Collaboration, Video Conferencing, SharePoint, Webex Zoom>Event Consultation").

Scenario Driven Tools Recommendations
(A-Synchronous vs. Synchronous)

MODE OF INSTRUCTION	SCENARIO	RECOMMENDED SOLUTION	PROS OF SOLUTION
A-synchronous	Instant Messaging	Webex	Simple to use interface Quickly communicate
A-synchronous	Record lecture to share with class	Panopto	Easy to use Storage in cloud Integrates with Blackboard Can share with multiple sections/courses
A-Synchronous	Convert PowerPoint Presentation into video	Panopto	Easy to use Storage in cloud Integrates with Blackboard Can share with multiple sections/courses
A-Synchronous	Convert PowerPoint Presentation into interactive video	VoiceThread	Integrates directly into Blackboard
A-Synchronous	Have students record video for class assignments	VoiceThread/Panopto	Easy to use Storage in cloud Integrates with Blackboard
Synchronous	Polling during class	Blackboard Collaborate	Integrates directly into Blackboard Accessible
Synchronous	Breakout Groups during class	Blackboard Collaborate	Integrates directly into Blackboard Accessible
Synchronous	Conduct on-line meetings	Webex or Zoom	Personal Meeting Room Using TU's enterprise solution protects confidential data
Synchronous	Share Screen with students during class	Blackboard Collaborate	Integrates directly into Blackboard Accessible
Synchronous	Share applications with students during class	Blackboard Collaborate	Integrates directly into Blackboard Accessible
Synchronous	Share applications with staff/colleagues	Webex or Zoom	Easy to use Accessible
Synchronous	Share Video with students during class (Chrome Only)	Blackboard Collaborate	Integrates directly into Blackboard Accessible
Synchronous	Live stream an event (Interactions through Chat only)	Panopto	Easy to use Storage in cloud Integrates with Blackboard Can share with multiple sections/courses
Synchronous	Share Whiteboard with students during class	Blackboard Collaborate	Integrates directly into Blackboard Accessible
Synchronous	Interviews	Webex or Zoom	Ability to Lock Room
Synchronous	Share whiteboard during meeting	Webex or Zoom	Easy to use Accessible
Synchronous	Virtual Office Hours with students	Blackboard Collaborate	Integrates directly into Blackboard Accessible Ability to Lock Room
Synchronous	Collaborate outside of classroom	Webex or Zoom	Guest lecturers, etc. can join a meeting

INSTRUCTIONAL LECTURE CAPTURE GUIDELINES AND RELEASE FORM

Guidelines

Faculty and staff who intend to use instructional lecture capture resources supported by Towson University are to adhere to the Instructional Lecture Capture Guidelines to ensure the FERPA regulations are not violated.

Release Form

If a faculty/staff member intends to reuse recordings where the image, voice or materials of students are captured, the Instructional Lecture Capture Release Form must be used. *Be sure to read the guidelines (above) first.