Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Mysuru, has developed its own videoconferencing platform as an alternative to Zoom to conduct online classes. It is named ‘KSOU Connect’.
The Department of Higher Education, following a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs, issued a circular to all universities to stop using the Zoom platform for videoconferencing/online classes and to find an alternative platform for carrying out teaching-learning and other academic, examination and administrative functions, a release from KSOU said.
In view of the lockdown owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become essential to make use of ICT for continuing academic activities.
In this direction, the KSOU has initiated a couple of digital initiatives. The ‘KSOU Student App’ was launched recently and received good response from students, according to university officials. Now, KSOU has developed its own videoconferencing platform, said Registrar Lingaraj Gandhi.
The online platform has some unique features, including personalised meeting/classroom setup, easy single-click link to join meeting/class, user authentication, multi-device support; recording function, whiteboard option to bring back the classroom environment, presentation option to upload PPT instantly, screen-sharing, public chat, and sharing of notes, the release said.
