Analysis of Web Conferencing Providers and Online Research Skills

This report provides a comparative analysis of two web conferencing providers, Skype for Business and ClickMeeting, examining their features, suitability, and applications within a business context. It highlights the advantages and disadvantages of each platform, focusing on aspects like playback capabilities, platform compatibility, and communication features. The report also delves into the essential skills required for effective online research, including analytical skills, appropriate questioning, and scrutiny, while addressing the challenges encountered in each skill. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of digitalization, the careful selection of web conferencing tools, and the development of necessary skills for conducting online research in the digital age.

INTEGRATED
PROFESSIONAL
SKILLS IN DIGITAL
AGE

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Comparison in features of Web Conferencing providers............................................................1
Suitability and Application of Web Conferencing Providers.....................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
Skills required for online research and challenges faced............................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Digitalisation means a procedure that is implemented by various people as well as
organisations in relation to acquire, convert, send as well as store appropriate data and
information in a digital form. Such procedures are adopted within companies through using
digital tools and equipments like mobiles, tablets, computers, etc. The agenda for digitalisation is
that information could be appropriately assessed and processed within the firm (Huda and et. al.,
2017). Moreover, companies currently focusing on cloud computing which is providing a better
alternative in processing effective information. The report below is based on ClickMeeting and
Skype for Business. This report addresses comparisons of these two web conference providers in
terms of the features they possess and focuses on their application along with their suitability in
terms of organisations. Moreover, it involves analysis of the skills needed to perform online
research and challenges faced in it.
TASK 1
Comparison in features of Web Conferencing providers
In the current business scenario, internet is gradually gaining momentum and there are
various effective inclination towards having digitalisation as it helps organisations in ensuring
integration and real time communication. In this context, Web Conferencing means a method,
application of which provides individuals of a company to communicate with one another
effectively, i.e., through using services like live meetings and real-time presentations. All these
aspects are associated with the use of internet. In addition to this, there are various web
conferencing providers available within the market, which provide organisations the ease to
ensure communication with other individuals and organisations globally. These types are
described below:
 Skype for Business:
This provider is one of the widely used providers which is an instant message client
utilised by several organisations for web conferencing and live meetings. Up to 250 members
could be indulged on one time using this tool. Furthermore, this software gives the advantage of
organisation level security which is essential in today's business scenario (Tømte and et. al.,
2015).
 ClickMeeting:
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This is a web-based video and audio webinar solution which is effectively developed for
companies of every size and width. Apart from the standard features which are provided within
this tool, it also provide monetisation, interface customisation, presentation as well as whiteboard
facilities (Gretter and Yadav, 2016).
However, in order to analyse these tools, it is important that their features are compared
against one another.
BASIS SKYPE FOR BUSINESS ClickMeeting
Overview
Skype for Business is an
effective software that is
adopted by companies to
perform web conferencing.
ClickMeeting is an appropriate
sound and video platform
which is used by organisations
of different sizes to ensure
accomplishment of their
webinar needs
Playback
This tool does not incorporate
the feature of playing back old
conferences and meetings
(Huda and Teh, 2018).
It provides its users the feature
of effective and essential
recording of their webinar
sessions and effective
playback feature.
Platforms
Skype for Business is available
on effective platforms such as
mobiles, laptops, computers,
etc. and provides utmost
clarity and effectiveness in
each of these platforms.
ClickMeeting, despite of being
on each platform, is does not
effectively provide features
related to audio and video
clarity in real time
conferencing.
Communication This tool provides its
customers an effective access
to calling feature where they
could indulge in group calls
and conduct calls on landlines
It does not provide the feature
of calling, rather could just be
used by the companies to
accomplish their web seminar
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as well. requirements.
Suitability and Application of Web Conferencing Providers
Suitability and Application of Skype for Business
Skype for Business is effectively used within business organisation as an instant tool to
connect and conduct conferences within as well as outside the business organisation. It is quite
suitable for organisations which wish to appropriately enhance their professionalism and wish to
fully optimise and utilise features of web conferencing.
In addition to this, organisations could apply Skype for Business as their main system for
communication within and outside their business organisation. In addition to this, there are
several communication channels which is provided by this tool which is essential in relation to
increasing their business performance. As well as productivity and encourages collaboration
within the company. Thus, its application and suitability are best for organisation that wish to
enhance their productivity at affordable pricing and indulge a large number of audience within
their communication circle.
Suitability and Application of ClickMeeting
This is one of the few software which could be utilised within companies of different
sizes as well as industries. In addition to this, it is also very helpful for organisation in
conducting different functions rather than just being a web conferencing tool. In context of its
suitability, it is highly suitable for organisations which wish to use such tools for diverse
operations. Furthermore, it is more suitable to be used by small business organisation which
could work effectively with smaller audience and unique and innovative features provided by
this software.
In context with application, ClickMeeting could be used to solve several problems within
an organisation. For instance, it could help organisations in appropriately monetise their
webinars (ClickMeeting REVIEW, 2019). Moreover, it could be easily set up and applied by
companies as it allows each organisation to customise their interface according to their own
needs. Moreover, organisations could use this software for training and on-boarding, which
enhances the effectiveness of this software as a web conferencing providers for organisations.
Moreover, another way through which an organisation could apply this provider is for product
demos and customer interactions. Its real time interface and effective graphics allow companies
to achieve the same almost instantly (Collins and Halverson, 2018).
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TASK 2
Skills required for online research and challenges faced
Online research is an effective method which is implemented by individuals and
organisations in order to gain effective knowledge about specific topics from use of internet. In
the era of digitalisation, functions within an organisation are becoming quite easier and effective
due to use of technology. In addition, there are several essential aspects associated with research
such as authentication and relevance, which could easily be reflected through using online
research as a research method. Moreover, companies are also emphasising over competence in
individuals working within their teams by comparing their online research skills.
Within an individual, there are several skills which are a must have for them in relation to
performing an online research. These skills, along with challenges faced throughout these skills
are mentioned below:
 Analytical Skills:
One of the most effective skill which is required within the individuals is related to
analysis of information which is being presented to them. It is very important in online research
to assess sources from where the information is being gathered in order to check its relevance
and authenticity.
Challenge Faced in this skill:
The major challenge conducting a research online is that sometimes it gets quite tough to
evaluate the sources of the overall matter which is found online. In addition to this, there are
several cases where individuals do not effectively organise their research and do not devote
necessary time to evaluate the sources which causes quite an effective challenge for development
of this skill (Huda, 2019).
 Appropriate Questioning:
For conducting and effective research, it is necessary that individuals appropriately
deliver their query on the internet for which they require the solution. This would help them in
obtaining better results.
Challenge Faced in this skill:
The biggest challenge which is faced by individuals within this skill is the process of
narrowing down their research. In addition to this, there are several sources available within the
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internet which include such minute information about the research query, which decreases the
effectiveness of the research carried out (Keengwe, 2015).
 Scrutiny:
This is a skill which is very important in case an individual wishes to conduct an
appropriate online research related to their specific topics. In addition to this, people are required
to not just obtain information from the surface, rather than be willing to go to depth of the store
to obtain a more accurate and effective information.
Challenge Faced in this skill:
Developing this skill requires a lot of time and patience to evaluate each source of
information effectively and cover every little detail until they find the most appropriate data
related to their research query. However, this could be quite challenging in case individuals are
required information quickly on a certain topic (Ellaway and et. al., 2015).
CONCLUSION
Thus, it could be effectively concluded from the information above, that digitalisation is
very important in a technologically dominant business scenario. In addition to this, it is very
important for organisations to compare web conferencing providers in context with their
features. Furthermore, it is also very necessary for them to analyse their suitability and
application so that they could use the best and the most appropriate web conferencing provider.
Lastly, online research is very important to acquiring crucial information about different subject
matters from internet and thus, it gets necessary for individuals and organisation to develop
necessary skills associated with the same along with challenges associated with the same.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Collins, A. and Halverson, R., 2018. Rethinking education in the age of technology: The digital
revolution and schooling in America. Teachers College Press.
Ellaway, R.H., and et. al., 2015. Exploring digital professionalism. Medical teacher. 37(9).
pp.844-849.
Gretter, S. and Yadav, A., 2016. Computational thinking and media & information literacy: An
integrated approach to teaching twenty-first century skills. TechTrends. 60(5). pp.510-
516.
Huda, M. and Teh, K.S.M., 2018. Empowering professional and ethical competence on reflective
teaching practice in digital era. In Mentorship Strategies in Teacher Education (pp. 136-
152). IGI Global.
Huda, M., 2019. Empowering application strategy in the technology adoption: insights from
professional and ethical engagement. Journal of Science and Technology Policy
Management. 10(1). pp.172-192.
Huda, M., and et. al., 2017. Empowering children with adaptive technology skills: Careful
engagement in the digital ınformation age. International Electronic Journal of
Elementary Education. 9(3). pp.693-708.
Keengwe, J. ed., 2015. Handbook of research on active learning and the flipped classroom
model in the digital age. IGI Global.
Tømte, C., and et. al., 2015. Educating online student teachers to master professional digital
competence: The TPACK-framework goes online. Computers & Education. 84. pp.26-
35.
Online
ClickMeeting REVIEW. 2019. [Online] Available Through:
<https://reviews.financesonline.com/p/clickmeeting/#what-is>
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