Cisco Cisco WebEx Training Center WBS29.8 White Paper
BERSIN & ASSOCIATES © 2011
BERSIN & ASSOCIATES
Research Bulletin | 2011
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Research Bulletin | 2011
BERSIN & ASSOCIATES © 2011
A Review of WebEx Training Center
Janet Clarey | Page 4
Janet Clarey | Page 4
THIS MATERIAL IS LICENSED BY CISCO SYSTEMS FOR DISTRIBUTION ONLY.
marketed to the enterprise until the 1990s. Since then, the virtual
classroom has been primarily used to approximate face-to-face
instruction, and often serves as a replacement or enhancement for face-
to-face, instructor-led training (ILT). For these reasons, it has commonly
been viewed as a special instance of face-to-face classroom training –
but that is changing.
classroom has been primarily used to approximate face-to-face
instruction, and often serves as a replacement or enhancement for face-
to-face, instructor-led training (ILT). For these reasons, it has commonly
been viewed as a special instance of face-to-face classroom training –
but that is changing.
Early virtual classrooms included familiar face-to-face classroom
methods and processes, including online syllabi, notes, reading, testing
and assignments. Newer versions of the virtual classroom, released in
the late 1990s and early 2000s, brought both advances in the manner in
which content was delivered, as well as several new features. Presenting
and sharing data and applications, whiteboards, linking, audio and
video support, breakout rooms, hands-on labs, recording, and chat
and instant messaging are some of the features that have brought live
online learning to new levels.
methods and processes, including online syllabi, notes, reading, testing
and assignments. Newer versions of the virtual classroom, released in
the late 1990s and early 2000s, brought both advances in the manner in
which content was delivered, as well as several new features. Presenting
and sharing data and applications, whiteboards, linking, audio and
video support, breakout rooms, hands-on labs, recording, and chat
and instant messaging are some of the features that have brought live
online learning to new levels.
Over the past several years, we have seen advances in delivery
models, greater interoperability with other systems, voiceover IP
(VoIP
models, greater interoperability with other systems, voiceover IP
(VoIP
5
), collaboration, audio and video advances, advanced tracking,
monitoring, and mobile support. Many systems also include features to
bridge the gap between self-paced e-learning and face-to-face ILT, as
well as to support informal learning.
bridge the gap between self-paced e-learning and face-to-face ILT, as
well as to support informal learning.
One challenge in understanding live online learning platforms is
recognizing the various terms used to describe them – such as virtual
classroom, synchronous e-learning
recognizing the various terms used to describe them – such as virtual
classroom, synchronous e-learning
6
, live online learning and virtual
instructor-led training (vILT). There are also several others used less
frequently and which encompass live online events that may not be
instructional in nature; these include web-conferencing, web meetings
and online video-conferencing.
frequently and which encompass live online events that may not be
instructional in nature; these include web-conferencing, web meetings
and online video-conferencing.
5
“Voiceover IP” (VoIP) is a transmission technology that transports communication via the
Internet. It is also referred to as “Internet telephony.”
6
The “virtual classroom” is a tool for delivering live e-learning. It is often called
“synchronous e-learning.” The interface mimics the face-to-face classroom in many ways
with a roster, hand-raising icon and an instructor leading the group. The primary difference
between the face-to-face classroom training and virtual classroom training is that the latter is
used to deliver content live, over the Internet, to people who are geographically dispersed.
with a roster, hand-raising icon and an instructor leading the group. The primary difference
between the face-to-face classroom training and virtual classroom training is that the latter is
used to deliver content live, over the Internet, to people who are geographically dispersed.
Presenting and
sharing data and
applications,
whiteboards,
linking, audio and
video support,
breakout rooms,
hands-on labs,
recording, and
chat and instant
messaging are
some of the
features that have
brought live online
learning to new
levels.
KEY POINT