Web Conferencing Microsoft Compass LiveMeetingIt was during the summer of 1999 that universities and various institutions began to explore the benefits of advanced information technology in the field of geology research and education. In these experiments, a variety of hardware, including laptop computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), early pen-based computers, cell phones, and portable GPS receivers, and various kinds of software, including Microsoft compass-based location applications, ESRI’s ArcGIS, ArcView, and ArcPad, were examined and employed. As the domain science, these experiments focused on field geology. However, the technology and approach considered here is generally and readily applicable to education and research in any field-oriented science. Web conferencing services were explored as well for their collaborative capabilities and communication options which allow any field team to remain in contact despite the differences in location. As an industry giant, Microsoft is one of the many companies that provide location-based applications to the market, from stylus notepads to pen-based programs to web conferencing software such as LiveMeeting. Their products are currently being used by small to midsize businesses and even students of geography or geology research. How Web Conferencing and Microsoft Compass Applications are used The following list is an attempt to organize the experiences around various activities that researchers and university students had, representative of how the web conferencing LiveMeeting software and Microsoft compass applications can be integrated into the curricula. Microsoft Compass for Mapping Exercises These can include a wide variety of activities, depending on the goal of the exercise, student background, etc. Microsoft compass, with its GPS capability, will come in handy for any of the exercises while the web conferencing software that is LiveMeeting is used to keep collaboration within the team. Microsoft Compass and Web Conferencing LiveMeeting for Digital Field Notebook Microsoft compass OneNote can be used as a powerful, intuitive note pad with its various dynamic features, such as screen capture, annotation, linking to other applications (i.e. hot linking between notes in OneNote and LiveMeeting web conferencing sessions), audio recording, and capturing digital images from cameras. Microsoft Compass and Web Conferencing LiveMeeting for Instructor Tools LiveMeeting can be used as the virtual examination room during the whole web conferencing session with Microsoft compass OneNote as the answer key and reference library. Web Conferencing LiveMeeting for Teaching in Motion Using the wireless networking and application sharing of web conferencing, LiveMeeting can support collaborative discussion and interaction while traveling in multiple field vehicles. LiveMeeting can thus be used to share other applications, like images, Excel, PDFs, models, power point slides, etc. amongst web conferencing participants in multiple field vehicles.
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