This post will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the open source versus commercial software in relation to synchronous learning in a virtual classroom.
My experience with virtual instruction has afforded me the opportunity to become very familiar with commercial software options for synchronous delivery. A significant advantage to using a commercial product vs an open source product are the features available. Technology is great when it’s great. Technology, however, often derails. When that happens the jumble can stop instruction in its tracks. But features come at a price. If it comes to using a product that is open source to using no product at all, then open source it is.
I decided to do a comparison between Adobe Connect and Big Blue Button to highlight some of the features each has to offer. Most commercial products offer similar features to Adobe Connect.
Adobe Connect runs about $500 per year subscription which is for 25 participants. So if you were supporting multiple classrooms, that would get steep fast! For that you get:
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Conference Features
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Annotation and Drawing Tools, Application Sharing, Audio, Co-Browsing, Desktop Sharing, File Transfer, Instant Messaging, Screen Sharing, Slide Show, Video/Webcam, and Whiteboards |
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Invitation Features
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Ad-Hoc/Instant Meetings and Calendar for Meetings |
| Security Features | One Time Password and Security Control Over Desktop Sharing |
| Meeting Follow-up Features | Meeting Recording/ Playback, Participant Reporting, and Surveys and Polls |
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Big Blue Button, on the other hand, is open source, so there is no subscription fee. This could be a saving grace for an organization, or teacher, looking to add a virtual dimension to the learning environment. The services offered include:
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Conference Features
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Annotation and Drawing Tools, Audio, Desktop Sharing, Full Screen/ Partial Screen Mode, Instant Messaging, Slide Show, Video/Webcam, and Whiteboards |
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Invitation Features
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Schedule Meetings |
| Security Features | |
| Meeting Follow-up Features | Meeting Recording/ Playback and Surveys and Polls |
An open source application might take precedence over a commercial product for a small to medium sized entity that was simply looking for a place to house a meeting, not necessarily great for instructing.
The functions are limited in an open source space, like file sharing, application sharing, and screen sharing. These tools can be significant for instruction, demonstration, and evaluation.
In open source spaces, meetings have to be scheduled and cannot just “happen on the fly”. There is no participant reporting and no security protocol, priority issues to consider when choosing between Open Source and Commercial Software.
Generally speaking, the commercial software offers much more than open source software. In this case – you get what you pay for!