I recommend the educators in this group take a look at WiZiQ's free virtual classroom platform.

Mark Cruthers

Link to March 17 Demo Replay.
http://www.wiziq.com/Replay_Session.aspx?key=t&id=73125


WiZiQ is an online teaching platform, which provides a free virtual classroom environment for teachers to interact online and teach students in real time. Teachers can also build a profile, keep an availability schedule, and maintain a content library, which is associated with their profiles, by uploading PowerPoint presentations and PDF Files.

Works in Flash format and needs no downloads
2-way live audio/video delivery
Whiteboard with Math tools
Synchronous Content sharing such as PowerPoint (retains animations and transitions), PDF, Flash, MS Word, MS Excel files and videos
Records all sessions to be played back in Flash format (needs no downloads)
Share PowerPoint presentations asynchronously even with narrated audio in slides

WiZiQ's Blog http://wiziq.typepad.com/

Feedback from Nellie, English Teacher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7sJ-RsWMI4


http://wiziq.typepad.com/wiziqcom/2007/12/collaborating-o.html

Wiziq YouTube Presentations:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yty0cPzlcU

Free Online Virtual Classroom

WiZiQ's free Virtual Classroom is an online internet mediated classroom where the teacher and the students are connected to share a common workspace. In this online session, they make use of audio-video conferencing, text chat, whiteboard, and content sharing capabilities. There are no costs for using the virtual classroom. The sessions are recorded and are available online on WiZiQ, which can be accessed for later review or reference.

Attendees can join a session with privileges to converse verbally with others; draw and write on whiteboard; and share Presentations, PDFs, Flash and Images. The teacher may withdraw or re-assign these privileges to the attendees. A Teacher can withdraw privileges from the attendee in terms that the attendee can not converse, or upload anything to share on whiteboard; in this case, the attendee is a spectator. An attendee can also request for rights, in which case, the teacher can click on the attendee's name to transfer control.



Features for Teachers


Offers a complete online teaching management system to its registered teachers without installing any software.
Teachers get their own virtual classroom at no costs.
Provides the ability to schedule a session online through a calendar at teachers' convenience.
Teachers can interact with students through an online whiteboard to share text or documents, and through a two-way audio and text chat.
Teachers can build their profile.
Provides the ability to conduct one-on-one or group sessions online.
Payments from learners can be accepted.
Teachers can maintain a learners' corner.



Features for Students


Students can find teachers
Learn from home, live through the Internet through an easy-to-use and interactive browser based interface, without installing anything.
Access tutorials shared by subject matter experts

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