PARTICIPATING
Obviously, the virtual conference experience will be a lot different from the more traditional form. To make the most of the educational opportunities offered by a virtual conference, participants, especially those taking part for the first time, should prepare themselves both physically and mentally.Of crucial importance is your conferencing software. There is a variety of different software available and it is a good idea to thoroughly research the options which may be suitable for your field before purchasing, and then to fully install and test its operation well in advance.
This will allow you to determine if your software includes
a “Voice over the Internet Protocol” or
VoIP function which lets you speak and
take part in the discussion and question sessions. This is
perhaps the most important tool to look for, and to utilise
it, you will need a headset with a
microphone. This helps you to speak and engage in the
discussion more fully, while the earphones will help block
out any distractions around you.
If it is not possible to get away from the office during
the conference time – maybe by choosing to
work from home that day – try to minimize distractions by
using a spare office or clear desk space. At the very least
it is important to mark the time on your calendar, stay in
your office, shut the door, and not be tempted to open any
other browsers or software (yes, that includes Freecell!).
