conference over 3 sections - possible?

[jennifer_holt]

Hi! I have 3 sections of one course, and would like to hold a review session simultaneously. Is this possible in Canvas? I could use Zoom, but it limits me to 40 minutes for more than 3 participants.

Thanks so much!

[Shar]

Hi  @jennifer_holt  Welcome  to the Canvas Community!

I think you may want to try the Conferences feature that uses Big Blue Button. What are Conferences? 

I don't know if the conference will time out eventually, but you can choose the no time limit option

https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-12687-415241306 

Hope using conferences helps,
Cheers - Shar

[jennifer_holt]

Hi, Sharmaine!

Thank you. Well, specifically I was wondering if you know if I could include 3 separate sections in one conference, rather than hold 3 separate conferences.

If so, that would be great!

Thanks!

Jennifer

[tlampley]

Ah! ishar-uw to the rescue!

Thank you!

[Shar]

Hi Timothy,

As you point out, hopefully the 3 sections are cross-listed into one course. Otherwise, Jennifer could create (or get her Canvas Admin to make) a Review Sessions Course that students self-enroll into and then they can join the conference there.

Let us know if the cross-listed sections course can all have folks join the same conference,
Cheers - Shar

[tlampley]

Greetings to you  @jennifer_holt !

And welcome to the Canvas Community!

This is a great question!

You may have already viewed the Canvas Support Guide, but in case you haven't: users must be in the specific course for them to be invited to its conference.  Thinking out side the box, however, do you happen to know if your three sections are cross-listed together?

The reason why I ask is because, sections that are cross-listed are, for lack of a better term 'merged' so that management of the sections--with the very same content--can be simplified for instructors (students still see themselves as enrolled in their unique sections).  As an extra-credit reward for your inquiry that information is here  

You've inspired me to run an experiment in the Test Environment, to see if this will work!  Thank you!

But let's get back to your issue.  You mentioned using ZOOM, and the limitations you are experiencing.  The symptoms you are experiencing, lead me to believe you do not have a ZOOM Pro Account.  You may want to check with whoever oversee these, at your institution, to see if you may receive a Pro Account.  If so, this will remedy the time-limit and user cap.

In the meantime, I'll do some additional due-diligence on this, to see if there is a work-around (via the experiment!).

Of course, the community will come to our aid, such as the incomparable and beautific stefaniesanders‌, and provide a more direct--if not useful--answer to your inquiry.

Again, WELCOME!   I'll reconnect as I find out more information!

Until then have a SUPER Day!

[ns3320]

Hi Jennifer,

I just wanted to add a little bit of information to what Sharmaine and Timothy have said. If your sections are not cross-listed, you can start the Conference in one section, click "Invite a guest to join this meeting", then send the link out to the other sections using the announcement tool.

Best,
Nick

[jennifer_holt]

Thanks! That is very helpful. I'll try it out asap.

Thanks, everybody!

[s_thelen]

This would be perfect for a programme here, but I don't see the option when I set up the conference with Big Blue Button.  Does my institution need to enable (or, gasp, pay for) that feature?

Thanks,

Sarah