Free and Open Source Web Conferencing (Online Meetings, Webinars) Tools for e-Learning

I received several emails, message on Twitter, and InMails on LinkedIn concerning the Open Source Authoring Tools for e-Learning and the Free Stock Photos Sites for e-Learningposts. Guys the most of you find these posts a valuable resource for the e-Learning community. As a result, the following post is Free and Open Source Web Conferencing (Online Meetings, Webinars) Tools for e-Learning.The following list contains free and open source Web Conferencing tools that are n’t in particular order.

Also, you should be sure that the e-Learning community will highly appreciate:

1. if you post a comment about your experience with these tools and/or,
2. if you post a comment with a link to any other free and open source Web Conferencing tool.

BigBluebutton* is built for Higher Education. It enables universities and colleges to deliver a high-quality learning experience to remote students. BigBlueButton is an active open source project that focuses on usability, modularity, and clean design — both for the user and the developer. The project is hosted at Google Code. BigBlueButton is built by combining over fourteen open source components.

*note: Epignosis has created a module that provides integration of BigBlueButton conferencing in eFront Open Source Learning Management System. BigBlueButton is a free web-conferencing tool with text chat, audio and video capabilites, a virtual whiteboard and many more presentation and conferencing features.

OpenMeetings is a free browser-based software that allows you to set up instantly a conference in the Web. You can use your microphone or webcam, share documents on a white board, share your screen or record meetings. It is available as hosted service or you download and install a package on your server with no limitations in usage or users.

OpenMeetings Key Features Mini Demo
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a7-HFm8Ghs?fs=1]

Mikogo is a free desktop sharing tool full of features to assist you in conducting the perfect online meeting or web conference. Take advantage of the opportunity to share any screen content or application over the Internet in true color quality with up to 10 participants simultaneously, while still sitting at your desk.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TELe5JYRa2s?fs=1]

Yugma free web conferencing allows anyone, anywhere to instantly share their desktop and ideas online with others. To start hosting your own meetings you have to sign up for FREE. Your Yugma Free web conferencing account allows you to invite up to 20 attendees

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe9qU3H3LJk?fs=1]

Using WebHuddle, you have options and flexibility. Meetings can be conducted either in conjunction with an enterprise’s existing teleconferencing service, or utilizing WebHuddle’s optional voice over IP. WebHuddle also offers recording capabilities — presentations can easily be recorded for playback over any web browser for those who missed the live meeting.

Dimdim delivers synchronized live presentations, whiteboards and web pages while sharing your voice and video over the Internet – with no download. With the Free edition you can get 10 person meetings, 1 way video, standard support, Dimdim branded rooms, and public meetings.

*note: Epignosis has created a module that provides integration of Dimdim conferencing in eFront  Open Source Learning Management System.

Adobe® ConnectNow is a great way to share ideas, discuss details, and complete work with others all online. Reduce travel costs, save time, and increase productivity with a web conferencing solution that’s easy to access and simple to use. ConnectNow operates inside a web browser. There’s no installation required, so getting started is easy and Free

by Christopher Pappas M.B.A., M.Ed.