Elluminate @ RRC

Red River College’s Teaching Learning Technology Centre (TLTC) plans to pilot a virtual classroom this fall, which will allow students and instructors to interact electronically, via the Internet.  

The live classroom software, called Elluminate, requires a regular computer with broadband internet service plus a microphone headset for two-way communication. Teaching occurs in real time, as instructors can speak, answer questions, use a whiteboard, and hand out assignments during the course of an online session. Within the virtual classroom, students may "raise their hands", speak normally, and work on assignments in small groups. All users participate simultaneously via streaming audio and video connections.  

TLTC has arranged a 25-seat test of the Elluminate product, which will be conducted to determine its feasibility as an alternative to the traditional classroom experience.

Proposed uses include:

• conducting a lab which students can attend from home
• hosting a live online seminar for students from remote communities • holding an online open house information session for prospective students 
• enabling instructors to schedule office hours without traveling to the College  

How to Get Started

RRC Instructors who are interested in testing the software may book the virtual classroom after completing initial training offered by Elluminate. Scheduled sessions and demonstrations will be offered this month by the TLTC to help instructors gauge interest levels and suitability. As well, online demonstrations are available at http://www.elluminate.com/demo/live_demo.jsp  

Who to Contact?

For more information, please contact:

Christopher Bryan
Educational Technologist
Teaching and Learning Technology Centre
Ph. 632-3768

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