Adobe Connect is great for education
October 06, 2015
Adobe Connect is great for education
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Software Version
9
Modules Used
- Webcam, Chat, Notes, Share, File Manager, Breakouts, multiple layouts
Overall Satisfaction with Adobe Connect
Our organization uses Adobe Connect for two main purposes:
For our educators, Adobe Connect allows multiple layouts so we can switch from one screen layout with certain information to another screen layout with entirely different information flawlessly. We also utilize the Presenter Only area to allow a private chat between presenters and hosts to communicate event management issues (i.e. time keeping) and any other updates while the course is progressing that are invisible to participants. We have also utilized the breakout room feature that allows educators to break the group into smaller facilitated groups and then report back to the main room - just like what is done in an in-person workshop or course.
- delivering interactive educational webinars
- hosting meetings (internal and external to the organization)
For our educators, Adobe Connect allows multiple layouts so we can switch from one screen layout with certain information to another screen layout with entirely different information flawlessly. We also utilize the Presenter Only area to allow a private chat between presenters and hosts to communicate event management issues (i.e. time keeping) and any other updates while the course is progressing that are invisible to participants. We have also utilized the breakout room feature that allows educators to break the group into smaller facilitated groups and then report back to the main room - just like what is done in an in-person workshop or course.
- Adobe Connect handles streaming multiple videos (e.g. many different webcams or streaming a pre-recorded video) quite well with minimal issues.
- Adobe Connect allows for creation and switching between multiple screen layouts so that you can plan a course flow ahead of time and implement it flawlessly for participants. There is another key feature called Prepare Mode which allows the host to modify or prepare a different screen layout while everyone else remains in the last layout.
- Adobe Connect allows for breakout rooms. This feature is useful for classroom delivery webinars which require the users to break into smaller groups for working on a problem or brainstorming.
- Adobe Connect allows the host to email themselves a copy of the chat history. The history is often useful for other educators not present in that session who wish to review the types of questions/answers come up in a past session.
- The steps to connect to the Adobe Connect meeting room are clunky. There are many things that - if not completed ahead of time - cause problems for users who click on the meeting room link thinking they can just login and go in (like other platforms). The login and connection experience seems to be different on different operating systems and web browsers.
- Troubleshooting is incredibly challenging for issues such as having trouble connecting, not hearing what is presented, not seeing content, microphone works in the audio test but not when you're actually going to use it, webcams showing just black screens.
- Adobe Connect still uses Flash. There are apps for connecting to the meeting room from Apple and Android portable devices and they work ok but it isn't the same as the desktop web platform.
- Adobe Connect has allowed us to deliver our course material synchronously online internationally. This capability has increased our reach and sell our product to customers who would otherwise be unable to attend our courses in person.