Commercial vs. Open Virtual Classrooms (Reflections)

One area of concern should be the type of technology that the platform requires.  Adobe Connect uses Flash.  If students only have an iPad, they will not have access to that resource unless they download the necessary app that will allow them to use Flash on their Apple product.  If a teacher does not know this small detail, he/she cannot instruct the student appropriately.

Some of the programs require Java.  Java is free and can be downloaded easily, but the instructor must disseminate that information to students.

Finally, there are more synchronous options available.  Teachers would have to research options available.  It is also wise for teachers to locate, download some type of instruction handout/pdf for students to use as a future reference.  Many educators as well as college universities have put together "cheat sheets" on most synchronous resources.  The teacher simply has to find the resource and choose the one he/she likes.

When would an open source application take precedence over a commercial product?

The answer to this question is "depends."  It depends on what the teacher's purpose or function for using the open source.  Commercial products usually offer lots of options, so I am not sure when a teacher would actually need to use a free source.  Also, a teacher may use an open source if it is easier or simpler than the commercial products.  Adobe Connect, while nice in looks, is difficult in mannerisms.  Its functionality is not user friendly.  Neither is Blackboard.  So, teachers may find open sources that are simply much more user friendly than the commercial platforms.

Another challenge is security.  Open sources may not offer the tight security commercial products have.  Many times in order for companies to offer these platforms for free, the user must agree to accepting commercials and advertisers.  This could easily be a distraction to students and the learning process.  Commercial systems usually have a method for teachers to do password and username retrievals for students.  Open sources may not have that option!