What are Conferences?

In this tutorial, Instructure Co-founder Devlin Daley discusses when you might use Conferences and how they work.

http://youtu.be/IDAutzXpmHU (Links to an external site.)
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Conferences allows you to broadcast real-time audio, video, demo applications on your desktop, share presentation slides, or demo any online resources. The whiteboard functionality in Conferences and the Math Editor in Canvas make it easy for you to explain concepts to your students as if you were in the same room. Currently, Instructure Canvas integrates with BigBlueButton (Links to an external site.). The video below shows you how to use Big Blue Button.

When you create a Conference, Canvas will automatically create a link to the conference via the web conferencing tool you are using. The invitation button "Join Now" will also show up in the students’ activity stream and in their notifications.

Tutorial: How do I create a Conference?Links to an external site.

Conferences primarily used for virtual lectures, virtual office hours, and student groups. It can also be used to demonstrate technologies or troubleshoot technology issues online.

Examples of When You Might Use Conferences?

Use Conferences to connect with your students for online office hours or special study sessions design to help them prepare for a test.
Use Conferences to connect with your colleagues for professional development webinars.
Use Conferences to practice presenting online. Students can set up practice presentations in their student Groups.
Use Conferences to invite special guests to your classroom by adding them as a student or observer to your course.
Use Conferences to broadcast a live event or lecture to the students that can't be onsite.