Navigate 2.1.1 Delivery Methods and the Synchronous Vendor Market

There are many options available for the distance educator to synchronously hold classroom discussions. So many, in fact, that it would take a tremendous amount of time to list them all here.

Some of the major options are:

Adobe Connect (Free for 30 days)
Cisco WebEx (A free option for up to 3 people)
Blackboard Collaborate (Free for 30 days)
GoToMeeting (Free for 30 days)
Google+Hangouts (Free)
Big Blue Button (Free)
Skype (Free)
SMS (Charges vary depending upon contract)

The correct choice will be different for everyone depending upon needs and budget. The   iNACOL has a good table to identify some of the differences in Vendor options and Open Source options.

Vendor Solution

Open Source Solution

+   Professionally Developed +   Vendor is accountable for correct functioning of system +   Initial start-up may be easier +   Technical Support available from vendor, in some cases 24×7 support –   In some cases, technical support, especially 24×7 support has extra costs –   Ability to make changes to systems and content is more limited –   Ongoing licensing cost

+   Software is developed by a community with common needs +   Vendors may exist to provide technical support for open source solution (at a cost) +   Are able to customize and modify systems and content as desired +   Little or no cost to obtain system, low risk to trying out system –   May not have formal technical support available –   Sufficient technical expertise required to make modifications to systems and content –   Ongoing human resource cost to maintain and update

 Source: http://www.onlineprogramhowto.org/admin/vendor-vs-open-source/