The Weitzman School of Design offers several solutions, each with its own pros and cons, for web chat and video conferencing or recording needs. These can be used for instances varying from a one-on-one webchat, to hosting a class online, to collaborating on group projects without having to meet in person.
We have several pieces of AV hardware available for loan upon request, including webcams (with microphones), standalone microphones, projectors, laptops, mobile TV displays, and more. Read more information on reserving and scheduling the use of our AV equipment and hardware here.
Additionally, any of these services can be used on the large Viewsonic Display – located in the 3rd Floor North Conference Room in Meyerson Hall (please contact Operations and Planning separately at pdfac@design.upenn.edu to schedule the room). If you have any questions, or are unsure which service is best for your specific needs, please feel free to contact us at ithelp@design.upenn.edu.
BlueJeans
BlueJeans - available to all UPenn users (with a PennKey)
BlueJeans is the most conveniently and easily accessible video conferencing service available. Unlike the other services, you will not need to schedule the use of Blue Jeans with the IT staff, or gain access to a shared account. BlueJeans is also going to have the most reliable connection of these services, since it runs over Internet2, a fast and secure network built exclusively for higher education institutions. Read more here.
Zoom
Zoom - Zoom is a video conferencing platform that allows users to perform synchronous (real-time) functions including host online meetings, participate in group messaging, and share video and audio content. The software is cloud-based and works on desktop, laptop and mobile operating systems including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Blackberry, and Linux. Read more here.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams - available to all full time Penn faculty, students, and staff
Microsoft Teams offers many impressive and valuable video conferencing features. Users can host 1080p, which includes the ability to share screens and record calls. Users can also meet or collaborate on-the-go using Microsoft Teams apps for smartphones and tablets. Read more here.
Panopto
Panopto - available to all full time Penn faculty, students, and staff
For faculty, students and staff who are interested in creating and managing video content, Panopto is a video creation and storage platform that integrates into Canvas. Panopto enables users to organize existing videos, record materials, perform inside-video searches, take quizzes, administer quizzes, and more. Read more here.
Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect - license must be purchased via Adobe
Adobe Connect is more focused on large scale presentation-based conferences. Access is given to users upon request, and is done through a web-based interface, which will work in any web browser. The meeting host can present via a combination of PowerPoint, screen sharing of their computer, and video/audio chat. Various in-app tools are available, such as chat rooms, private chats, polls, Q&A, and the ability to have assistant hosts, similar to TAs, to help answer questions from attendees, to share content, and to hold private chats during the presentation. Adobe Connect would be a great tool for things like new student information sessions, or larger-scale online lectures.
Notes:
- Meetings can be attended via web browsers (Windows 10, Windows 7, Mac OS X 10.10+), telephone, as well as on smartphone Android and iOS devices
- Supports up to 200 participants in one meeting
- Adobe Connect is a separate license from the Adobe Creative Cloud suite
- Supports in-meeting polls, Q&A, and more tools