Webcasts for Professional Development: How to Prepare For and Enjoy Webcasts

Introduction

Just-in-time learning and informal learning is important to keep up with important changes in your discipline. While it's pretty efficient to learn through reading, sometimes it helps to see a real person discussing issues of importance. With travel so constrained, attending workshops or even going to conferences and annual meetings has become a problem. Luckily for those in that position, it has become much easier to view conference talks, grand round discussions and other audio/video presentations through streaming media in the form of Webcasts. This short paper will discuss how to find Webcasts, how to set up your equipment and download appropriate software for viewing Webcasts and will give hints for viewing Webcasts. Lastly, it will point you in the direction of other resources, especially Webcast FAQs.

Finding a Webcast

Discussion groups are a good place to find Webcasts since lists are often used by Webcasters to promote these made-for-the-Web programs. State Departments of Health and Federal Government agencies as well as businesses are also great sources of Webcasts. Use Google.com to search for such terms as '"public health" Webcasts' or nutrition Webcast to find interesting Webcasts to view.

Webopedia.com defines Webcasting as "[u]sing the Internet, and the World Wide Web in particular, to broadcast information". Basically a Webcast is a video program that is generally streamed over the Internet to your computer where you can watch it using appropriate software. Webcasts consist of an video broadcast of a live presentation. The beauty of an archived broadcast is that you can stop the program, back up and re-view a section for clarity or greater understanding or because it's important and you want to fix an idea in your mind.

Examples of Webcasts include

If you've already been given a URL for a Webcast, check the site for a listing of archived Webcasts and test your computer setup with an archived program if one is available.

Equipment and Software 

In order to view a live or archived Webcast most effectively, you will need the following: If your computer is new you likely already have a sound card installed. You know you have a sound card if you have a CD or DVD player because both of them only work if you have a sound card. If you can't tell if you have a sound card, click on My Computer | Properties | Device Manager | Sound, video and game controllers. Then look to see what's there in that folder. If there's nothing in this folder, you likely do not have a sound card. Take your computer to a computer shop and have one installed. Prices vary but they aren't too expensive.

Downloading the RealPlayer Plugin

The RealPlayer plugin is one of the most popular viewers for Webcasts.

If you do not have the RealPlayer Plugin, you can download it from the Web for free

1. How can you tell if you have the plugin? Go to My Computer | C:\ Drive | Program Files | Real | RealPlayer 8.0. If you see the Folder called RealPlayer 8.0 or above then you are ready to go. If you do not have the most recent player, it's worth downloading it.

2. If you have never used the RealPlayer,or do not see the RealPlayer folder on your C:\ drive, go to Progressive Network's Web site located at: http://www.realnetworks.com/info/freeplayer/ and download the free RealPlayer.

It is a two-step process.
A. Download the installer program to your desktop.
B. Then install the program.
3. Download the RealPlayer plugin to your desktop or to a known folder (such as: C:\Downloads\RealPlayer) by clicking on the version for your Operating System.

4. Locate the file with your file manager/explorer and double click on the file to begin the install.

5. When the installation process is completed, restart your computer using Start | Shutdown.

6. If you have followed steps 1 to 4, and Real Player is not working, visit this site http://service.real.com/help/faq/index.html for a list of likely causes and cures.

Note:  If you download RealPlayer Plus, the commercial product, you can download the Webcast to your desktop and view it at your leisure and without the buffering pauses but this option is not available with the free version. It costs $19.95 but does deliver features that are not available with the free version of RealPlayer.  

RealNetWorks has an online FAQ to help answer questions and a RealMedia Test Page for testing your newly installed program.

Downloading the Windows Media Player

If you do not have the Windows Media Player, you can download it from here: http://microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp.

Follow steps 1-5  substituting the URL listed above.

Be sure to download the version that is compliant with your Operating System.

Support for the Windows Media Player is available from the Microsoft Support Center.


Testing Your Readiness

Generally speaking it's important to test and ensure your computer is configured and ready to participate in the webcast -  at least the first time. To test your computer's readiness, find a Webcast and try viewing it. Instructions below.

Fortunately, once a program is Webcast it generally stays available for some time after the posted time so if your software doesn't work the first time, you can reread the directions and download other software if you need to and watch the program later on.

If you have problems getting your computer to display the Webcast, it may be necessary to seek technical support from within your organization. If you're using a home computer, find a teenager to look over your system. Teens are used to downloading and viewing Webcast programs. If no teens are available, take your computer to a computer store that specializes in fixing computers and have them tune up your computer and test it or if you have disposable cash, check on the availability of interns at one of the local community college Web development or computing programs.

Test to make sure your speaker volume is adequate by clicking on one of the archived programs and listening to the first speaker. If you are not using earphones, check to make sure your speakers are turned on and set at a good volume.

Before the Webcast

If the Webcast comes with handouts or PowerPoint slides you will likely want to download them before you start the Webcast. In order to read the handouts and view any PowerPoint slides that are often used to supplement a Webcast, you will need:
Be sure to read over the speaker handouts before the Webcast because they often include an agenda as well as information for discussion during the Webcast and of course any additional readings necessary to help you understand the Webcast content.

Often you will be required to register for the program ahead of time so that the program promoters have an idea how many are participating. Registration is often accomplished by an interactive form via the Web. If you need a login and password you will be given it during the registration process or via an email message.  You may also be asked to submit questions for the speakers when you register. There's no guarantee that your question will be answered, but asking questions never hurts.


Just Before Viewing the Webcast

Restart your computer or close down all programs that you may have been running to maximize the resources available to the Webcast.

A few minutes before the program is to begin (assuming you are intending to view a program offered at a pre-determined time) open your browser and connect to the Internet via your Internet Services Provider (ISP). For best results, use Internet Explorer 5.x (or greater) or Netscape 6.2 (or greater).

Go to the URL for the site. If a login is required, you will have already been told what that is when you registered. Log in and get ready to view the program.

Viewing a Live or Archived Webcast

Because different vendors may have created the Webcasts at different sites, the steps may be a little bit different depending on which archived or live Webcast you wish to view.
   
Click on the title of the Webcast. That may activate the program. If not, look around for a Webcast button or link in the navigation bar.

RealPlayer or Windows Media Player will appear on your screen

You will see content begin to stream in. If you use RealPlayer, the percentage of the buffer loaded will show up.

Eventually, when enough of the program is in the buffer, the program will begin.  When you use a 56K or slower modem there may be pauses in the audio and video transmission caused by this "buffering". Content may seem a little jerky and people may not appear to move for several seconds at a time - and then jump into another position with no transitions. This is normal.  If the Internet is really busy there may be a lot of waiting time in between the content. If this is the case, it may be better to come back later and view the archived version of the program.

To fast-forward the action, start the Webcast and drag the radio button to the right as far as you want. When you pause the program, the player resets to the beginning of the program.

For Additional Information and FAQs

ILRU Online FAQ: http://www.ilru.org/online/FAQ.html

Infopeople Webcast Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.infopeople.org/training/webcasts/faq.html

To find additional FAQs, do a google search on "Webcast Frequently Asked Questions". 

Thanks

A special thanks to Margo Harris, Health Educator extraordinaire for reading over the draft and offering up suggestions for improvement.

Author Information

Laura Larsson, Online Learning Developer, Cedar Collaboration, larsson@cedarc.info
05/19/2003