Videoconferencing
(What is it?)

In videoconferencing technology, two or more people at different locations can see and hear each other at the same time, sometimes even sharing computer applications for collaboration. Videoconferencing offers possibilities for schools, colleges, and libraries to use these systems for a variety of purposes, including formal instruction (courses, lessons, and tutoring), connection with guest speakers and experts, multi-school project collaboration, professional activities, and community events.

Placing a video call is a lot like placing a telephone call. After you connect, you see the other person in color video on a TV screen and may be able to transfer files or collaborate via options such as document sharing or white boarding.

Basic Videoconferencing Technology

Compressed video systems allow a larger audience to experience the benefits of high-quality videoconferencing at a reasonable cost. A videoconferencing system requires the audiovisual equipment, which includes a monitor, camera, microphone, and speaker, and a means of transmission.

Rather than an Internet-based connection, such as that used by webcams, which have to share bandwidth with other Internet data, a compressed video system on a dedicated bandwidth provides smooth audio and video.

The compressed videoconferencing may be transmitted via an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) line or over IP (Internet Protocol) lines. It is an economical solution for high-quality videoconferencing.

Connecting

The most significant distinction among videoconferencing systems is the method of transmission. Transmission is important because two systems cannot connect if they are using different transmission methods. Videoconferences can be transmitted over two protocols, H.320 - ISDN (phone) or H.323 - IP (Internet) lines. In the past, most videoconferences used ISDN lines; however, many people are now using IP connections due to cost savings. In order to connect two units using different transmission methods, a bridge must be used that will handle these mixed protocols. In an ISDN call, bandwidth is dedicated to only one videoconference, while in an IP call, bandwidth may be used to transmit for multiple uses. However, ISDN calls can be very costly since you may be making the call over a distance, in which case, long distance phone line charges apply, and ISDN lines take up 6 phone lines. Connections around the world average 384 kbps.

Benefits

Educators and librarians from around the country report videoconferencing technology impacts student learning in a number of ways. Teaching professionals have observed that two-way videoconferences heighten students' motivation, and improve communication and presentation skills. Additionally, a virtual field trip increases the depth of learning and provides a forum for a greater connection with the outside world.

A videoconference can improve students' memory retention by appealing to a variety of different learning styles by including diverse media such as video and audio clips, graphics, animation, and computer applications. Videoconferencing connects previously contained institutions in a way not possible using e-mail, the telephone, or online chat systems. The visual connection and interaction among participants enhance understanding and allow both the content providers and the students to feel connected to one another. That connection leaves a distinct impression on the students who have the opportunity to go on a virtual field trip.

Several sites on the web address the benefits of videoconferencing from a researched point of view, and several books are available on this topic. Here are a few:

Videoconferencing for K-12 Classrooms: A Program Development Guide
An ISTE publication, written by Camile Cole, Kecia Ray, and Jan Zanetis, three educators with decades of combined experience implementing IVC, the book is filled with real-life stories and proven strategies.


Wainhouse Research
A leading source of information and research on the conferencing and collaboration industry. Its website, newsletters, reports, and Platinum subscription service contain a wealth of information on communications technologies and applications, including distance learning, telehealth, audio conferencing, web conferencing, videoconferencing, streaming, webcasting, IP networking, and much more.

Access and Opportunity: Policy Options for Interactive Video in K-12 Education
Don Holznagel of NETC, authored the Access and Opportunity document which was the result of the National K-12 IVC Symposium held in October 2002 in Dallas . It is available for download as a pdf file on the Digital Bridges website. Single copies are free and can be ordered by email from Kyle La Trace, at the Northwest Educational Technology Consortium: latracek@nwrel.org.

Polycom in Education: The Video Conferencing Teachers Hand Book: Using Videoconferencing in Learning & Teaching
By Ron Carr ron.carr@educ.edin.gov.uk
This book was put together so that teachers would be able to engage effectively with video conferencing in the school and classroom. It is an independent study, whose main purpose is to benefit users and potential users of video conferencing. Many sources of information were sought to ensure a comprehensive insight into what educational video conferencing is.

Navigating the Sea of Research on Videoconferencing-Based Distance Education: A Platform for Understanding Research into the Technology’s Effectiveness and Value
by Alan Greenberg
White paper commisioned by Wainhouse Research in Feb. 2004. This white paper summarizes a representative subset of recent research on interactive videoconferencing for distance education. The paper illustrates the fact that the past decade has witnessed a tremendous amount of distance education research, with a smaller but growing body of work specifically on videoconferencing’s use in education. Click on the title above to download a pdf of this report.

Best Practices in Live Content Acquisition by Distance Learning Organizations
by Russ Colbert and Alan Greenberg
This Best Practices guide is based on interviews with numberous content providers, content recipients, and content brokers who utilize two-way, interactive video confeencing as a means of enhancing students' educational experience. The guides's focus is on the primary and secondary school. Click on the title above for to download a pdf of this report.

http://www2.csd.org/newlinks/whatisvidconf.htm