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
www.media.cds.hawaii.edu
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 [email protected] to get started.
Setting Up a Conference Call in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Contact [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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.