Students seeing each other using conferences tool?

[rinsky17]

I did a practice session using the Conferences tool in Canvas today. There were two students in the session using webcams and I could see them, but they all said they could only see me. I thought they would be able to see each other. Is it possible for them to see each other when I am "lecturing"? I know they are able to see each other if I do smaller group conferences, where I have created groups or teams, correct?

[awilliams · Accepted solution]

Hi  @rinsky17 , as a temporary measure to conserve bandwidth and maintain the stability of conferences, the ability for student's webcam data to be sent to all other students has been disabled. This is not permanent but it is necessary to prevent student's connections to the conference from being compromised currently.

[awilliams · Accepted solution]

Hi  @rinsky17 , as a temporary measure to conserve bandwidth and maintain the stability of conferences, the ability for student's webcam data to be sent to all other students has been disabled. This is not permanent but it is necessary to prevent student's connections to the conference from being compromised currently.

[rinsky17]

Great! Thank you!

[rinsky17]

Adam, they can still see each other in the feature if it's within the group page though or if I invite fewer people?

[awilliams]

Currently, if you're using the default Canvas Conference setup (which is the free tier of BigBlueButton conferencing tool), they will not be able to see each other even if it is a smaller number. One workaround for smaller groups is to add the students in as moderators for the conference and they should be able to see each other's webcam feeds. If you experience any connection issues, you will need to revert to no student camera feeds though.

[bogardde]

Adam, I just spent the last hour trying to find documentation about what I now know is a temporarily disabled feature. Finally I stumbled on this Q&A. Have I not been looking in the right place, did I miss an email, or has this not yet been widely publicized?

[awilliams]

I don't think it has been widely publicized Deborah. 

[bweiss · Accepted solution]

For all students to see each other’s webcams, follow the directions below: 

1.       Click the gear by the users list 

2.       Click Lock viewers 

3.       Click to enable the “See other viewers webcams” 

4.       Click Apply 

  

You will need to do this for each Conference.