Sharing a File, the Desktop or an Application

Besides PowerPoints, eLive has capability of allowing instructors to display any digital document during sessions. Known as "Application Sharing," nearly any file can be shown to students at any time.

NOTE: Exceptions are video files that play, for example, with QuickTime and Windows Media Player.

Before application sharing, it is important to know what kind of files are going to be shared - PDFs, Word documents or a combination of both. This is important so that you can share:

• one application (Word, e.g.) OR
• the computer desktop

NOTE: Regardless, whatever is going to be shared must be opened first and on the desktop. The files cannot be minimized to the taskbar or dock.

To begin sharing, the application sharing icon in the toolbar can be clicked or go to the menu Tools/Application Sharing/Host Application.

Clicking this icon will bring up the following window, asking what application to share.

Once the application is chosen, the eLive window will shift to the left-hand side of the monitor, with the toolbar moving from the top of the session to the left. Your application will displayed to the right. (Not shown below.)

There will also be a notification window. This window will no longer appear if the "Never show this dialog again" box is checked. This box will disappear or OK can be clicked.

IMPORTANT: If you have multiple applications open and you chose to share Firefox and then open IE your display will look fine. However your students will be seeing a black screen as below. If you need to share multiple applications you can select more then one when you chose to host applications. Use Control-click on the PC and Apple-click on the MAC.

If you are using a MAC you may find it challenging to situation your shared applications on the screen so users can get a good view since the MAC can not dock windows. I suggest you practice with another computer until you find the setting that work best.

Once sharing, an instructor can move around that application and know that students can see it. The only exception is if the instructor moves too quickly around the application. There is some delay and instructors need to pay attention to the ESP indicators while application sharing. Here is a recorded Elluminate session that has specifics on ESP indicators (4 minutes long).

If needed, students can also be given control of an application. Giving control is done by clicking on a student's name, right-clicking (CTRL + click on Macs) on the student's name and choosing "Give Control of the Shared Applications."

There maybe times would you would like to share your Desktop. This can be useful in demonstrating Moderator controls in Elluminate for training or moving around the actual desktop to demonstrate operating system procedures.I do not suggest using this feature unless you have a specific need since sharing uses more bandwidth. Keeping an eye on the ESP indicators to make sure your students are keeping up. You can share your Desktop from the menu Tools/Applications Sharing/Share Desktop.

Pros:

1. Allows for many different files to be presented to students, not just PowerPoints
2. Allows more flexibility in teaching, using a variety of resources
3. Increases collaboration where control of application can be shared by two different students or an instructor and a student

Cons:

1. Uses much more bandwidth than uploading a PowerPoint to the whiteboard
2. Requires instructor to pace herself/himself depending on students' Internet connections

Created by UAA eMedia and edited by UAS IT Services