Communication Tools Tip Sheet

www.media.cds.hawaii.edu

Tools for Successful Communication

Comparison of Free Web Conference Software Packages

Google Hangouts Skype Team Viewer Blackboard

Collaborate Ultra

Number of

Participants -

Voice

25 25 25 200

Number of

Participants -

Video

10 10 25 200

Call-In Available Yes Yes: At cost (Skype

Credits)

Yes: At cost

($0.05/min)

Yes (Need to be Logged

into Blackboard

Account)

Screen Sharing Yes Yes Yes (Window

Specific Sharing) Yes

Software

Requirements

Works in Web Browser

(Requires Google

Account)

Works in Web

Browser (Beta

Version)

Download of

TeamViewer App

Required

Works in Web Browser

(Best in Chrome,

Plugins Required)

Record

Broadcasts Yes No Yes Yes

File Sharing

Yes (Requires

Uploading of Files to

Google Drive)

Yes Yes Yes (Upload only, no

Download Capabilities)

Communication Tools Tip Sheet

www.media.cds.hawaii.edu

Google Hangouts

Getting Started To get started with Google Hangouts, sign up for a free Google Account: https://accounts.google.com/signup

Setting up a Conference Call in Hangouts

1. Open Hangouts at hangouts.google.com or in Gmail. 2. At the top right, click Search. 3. Type a name or email address. When you find the person you want, click their name. 4. In the Hangout window that opens, click Video call.

Requirements

https://support.google.com/plus/answer/1216376?hl=en

Troubleshooting Video Calls

https://support.google.com/hangouts/answer/1355579?hl=en

Things to Consider 1. Minimum upload and download bandwidth of 300kbps required. 2. Different versions of Google+ may not be fully compatible. 3. System requirements for Hangouts: https://support.google.com/hangouts/answer/1216376

Learn more about Google Hangouts: https://plus.google.com/hangouts

Skype

Getting Started To get started with Skype, sign up for a free Skype account: https://login.skype.com/registration

Communication Tools Tip Sheet

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Skype Tutorial Video

Setting Up a Conference Call in Skype 1. Open Skype or login using your Web browser: https://login.skype.com 2. Hit the Plus Icon in the Skype dashboard. 3. Type a contact name, or select contacts from your contact list. 4. Hit “Confirm” to set up a conversation. 5. Copy the share link, or invite participants by email using the options available.

Requirements https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10328/what-are-the-system-requirements-for-skype

Troubleshooting Video Calls

https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10872/i-have-a-problem-with-my-group-video-call

Things to Consider 1. Skype application needs to be up-to-date across all devices for compatibility. 2. Microsoft recommends limiting video conferences to 5 participants for best quality. 3. Skype does not natively support conference call/video recording.

Skype Resources

Skype Help Guides: https://support.skype.com/en/skype/skype-for-web/

Bandwidth Requirements: https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA1417/how-much-bandwidth-does-

skype-need

Participant Bandwidth Check: https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10415/can-i-see-how-much-

bandwidth-a-video-call-is-using

Communication Tools Tip Sheet

www.media.cds.hawaii.edu

Team Viewer

Getting Started To get started with TeamViewer, download the app for free: https://www.teamviewer.com/en/download

Setting Up a Conference Call in TeamViewer 1. Download the TeamViewer Application at: https://www.teamviewer.com/en/download 2. Run the installer. 3. Select your choice of meeting: video call, conference call, or presentation. 4. Copy and share the Meeting ID with participants, or invite them by email.

Requirements

https://www.teamviewer.com/en/help/38-which-operating-systems-are-supported

Things to Consider 1. The free version of TeamViewer is for non-commercial use only, so features may be limited. 2. No account is necessary to have a meeting, but it’s required for saving contacts or instant messaging. 3. The free version of TeamViewer may have ads promoting the paid version.

Blackboard Collaborate Ultra

Getting Started To get started with Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, contact esupport@hawaii.edu to get started.

Setting Up a Conference Call in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Contact esupport@hawaii.edu at the College of Education to request an account, and sign up for a moderator training. This training will cover the steps required to set up a web conference, and will help introduce you to the features and capabilities of Collaborate Ultra.

Requirements https://blackboard.secure.force.com/apex/publickbarticleview?id=kAB700000008P8m

Troubleshooting

Contact esupport@hawaii.edu for technical assistance.

Communication Tools Tip Sheet

www.media.cds.hawaii.edu

Things to Consider 1. Blackboard Ultra is a newer version of Collaborate that allows participants to join conferences via

internet browsers. The original version of Blackboard requires a launcher app to be downloaded in order to join conferences.

2. Chrome is the preferred browser to use with Blackboard Ultra due to the required plugins.