by Karen Nichols
A few interested instructors and I are experimenting with various video conferencing apps and software now like Google + Hangouts, Microsoft Skype, Apple Facetime and the fairly new Firefox Hello. Firefox Hello has a very useful feature right off the bat. It doesn't require you to install software nor set up an account with log in and password. One person enters, gets a link, then sends it to the other person with whom s/he wishes to video chat. You are required to use Mozilla Firefox as your browser, but it doesn't matter if you're used to skyping and your friend or colleague is used to Facetime. You don't have to install then sign up for each other's videoconferencing service.
Screen-sharing is also an option with Firefox Hello. You can share photos, discuss travel plans, collaborate on a project and myriad other activities.
Firefox Hello also boasts WebRTC-grade encryption to ensure your privacy.
I love the fact that a student and I wouldn't have to exchange personal information like phone numbers for Facetime, nor set up yet another account for another app, but I don't see a way to video conference with more than one person at a time and for a class, that can be a drawback.
Nonetheless, I'm happy to share with you this snappy little video from Mozilla Firefox about Firefox Hello and you can decide for yourself if this is a service that can meet your needs.