1. OUCC 2015 Inspiring Innovation Koorus Bookan, Jan Wilwerth- IST, University of Waterloo

2. Implementation of Adobe Connect as a campus-wide service In this session you hear how uWaterloo implemented a campus-wide service for Adobe Connect. We will share our experiences to-date as a stand-alone collaboration system and as an integrated tool with our LMS (D2L). We will look at implementation, support, overall benefits and lessons learned. Koorus Bookan, Jan Wilwerth- IST, University of Waterloo

3. We needed a solution for our on-line teaching/learning and collaboration Koorus Bookan, Jan Wilwerth- IST, University of Waterloo Based on existing experience with Adobe Connect(AC) in uWaterloo, and considering other solutions we knew what to expect from AC Virtual online rooms for classes and collaborative meetings, with a rich set of interactivity tools for participants Flexibility Integration with our LMS(D2L) Good buy-in on campus

4. A cloud solution or in-house Cloud solution -Would be very expensive for scalability that we needed (I.e. we could have 10, 500 or more hosts) -We did not find a good business model for AC’s cloud solution -A/V performance was not something that we could overlook (we had heard and saw for ourselves the shortcomings, some use telephone instead of AC function that is provided by the cloud, very inconsistent) -We already had the option for on premise at hand Koorus Bookan, Jan Wilwerth- IST, University of Waterloo

5. Specifications Back-end -Two front servers, one live, one stand-by -A SQL cluster -Mirrored drives for redundancy -All backed up a second time Client Side -Adobe Flash & Add-in plugins -FW ports: 80, 443, 1935 Koorus Bookan, Jan Wilwerth- IST, University of Waterloo

7. Two scenarios of use To maximize flexibility AC as a Standalone service for those outsde LMS -This option would be for people who did not benefit from LMS integration, LMS would add unnecessary hurdles AC integrated with our LMS(Desire2Learn) -Users could benefit from some of the provisions of LMS if they were already using the LMS Koorus Bookan, Jan Wilwerth- IST, University of Waterloo

8. Standalone There is an informal assessment that determines how the user groups are going to benefit and use the system The standalone is the largest group of users of AC for us at the moment - Courseware outside LMS, Collaboration, workshops, seminars, meetings, training, field work, etc. Koorus Bookan, Jan Wilwerth- IST, University of Waterloo

9. AC integrated with LMS(D2L) Controlling access to Online Rooms in Brightspace via navbars uWaterloo instructor-led support model for Adobe Connect usage Scenarios -Courses content, tutorial, team work, office hours, etc. Koorus Bookan, Jan Wilwerth- IST, University of Waterloo

12. How we roll out AC Request is made -We listen and understand what the request is so we can provide an appropriate setup Training -New users will receive training -Returning users are renewed if needed and will be on their way On-going support -Extensive documentation including text and how-to videos -Live support person during the business hours Koorus Bookan, Jan Wilwerth- IST, University of Waterloo

13. Inside an AC room Some of popular functions people use in these virtual rooms are: Audio/video Presentation Chat, Quiz, Q/A, File sharing, access to room library Recording, etc. Koorus Bookan, Jan Wilwerth- IST, University of Waterloo

16. Stats 170 Hosts(instructors) Recordings -LMS users: ~100% -Standalone users: 30-40% In LMS, 20 courses Winter 2015 -~50% on campus course -~50 distance learners Koorus Bookan, Jan Wilwerth- IST, University of Waterloo

17. Performance so far Reliability -Runs a reliable service -Rarely we hear performance concerns from users, including audio/video transmission Hiccups -We did discover an anomaly that was induced by our SQL setup -Firewall can be a point of conversation Trouble shooting -In-house experts and Adobe are available Koorus Bookan, Jan Wilwerth- IST, University of Waterloo

18. Challenges Hard to test the limits of the system when it is in production (We like to know when we might get close to the limits) Finding maintenance window is hard with such a system, it is like telephone, people are in a call in one form or another, around the clock We are still learning how to manage and create different user groups for various scenarios, this is important for tracking and provisioning in general Koorus Bookan, Jan Wilwerth- IST, University of Waterloo

19. OUCC 2015 Inspiring Innovation Questions & Answers Koorus Bookan, Jan Wilwerth- IST, University of Waterloo