effective use of video-conference

L.A. Kriese-AndersonL.A. Kriese-Anderson11, J.A. Parish, J.A. Parish22, J.E. Rowntree, J.E. Rowntree33, S.D. Seal, S.D. Seal22, W.N. , W.N. PresleyPresley11 and G.D. Works and G.D. Works11

11Auburn University, Auburn, ALAuburn University, Auburn, AL22Mississippi State University, Starkville, MSMississippi State University, Starkville, MS

33Louisana State University, Baton Rouge. LALouisana State University, Baton Rouge. LA

Resources in Extension in the Southeast are shrinking

People Specialist LevelAgent Level

Resources

However, producers share many of the same production environment, opportunities and challenges in a geographic regionExtension programs are duplicated many times across State lines

Distance Education ObjectivesLouisiana, Mississippi, AlabamaLouisiana, Mississippi, Alabama

Improve program delivery efficiency

Expand program offerings across States

Ideal for expensive or hard to reproduce programs (e.g. Carcass fabrication)

Maintain interactive program format

Improve program delivery efficiency

Expand program offerings across States

Ideal for expensive or hard to reproduce programs (e.g. Carcass fabrication)

Maintain interactive program format

Polycom Video

Conference sites in each county (n=82)

configured by Extension

31 Polycom sites

distributed throughout

the State configured

by Extension

Polycom sites

distributed throughout the State

(n=8)

Polycom Video-Conference TechnologyInternet Protocol (IP)

Complete, interactive, real time communications

No connectivity or per minute charges

For optimum performance and TV quality video (384K)

Need high speed internet

Need high quality internet connection

Programs are viewed at a central location connected by a multi-point control unit

Ability to video-stream programs

Polycom FX Viewstation. Contains camera, internet hookup, video S cable connections and microphone

High Speed Internet Connection

TV Quality Monitor

Multi-point controller for more than 2 sites

Polycom FX Viewstation

What remote sites sees

Shows last site that spoke or can show all sites once connected

Can have computer and other audio/visual components connected

Ceiling Mounted Microphones which are connected to Polycom unit

LCD Projector

23rd Annual Livestock Production Sale

November 17, 2005

Phone Bid from Distance Bidding Site

4 Lots Sold over Distance Bidding SystemCompetitive Bidding from Sites on Other LotsHigh-Selling Horse Lot Sold via Distance Bid

Portable Polycom available- Field demonstration- Auction- Emergency

Initial concept of using video-conferencing began in Mississippi in August 2004

Beef Nutrition shortcourse

Multi-session in nature

7 sites

98% of responding participants would attend another program via distance education

98% of responding participants would attend another program via distance education

“Would like to see real people”“Would like to see real people”

Producer Comment:Producer Comment:

Went multi-state in January 2005 when Louisiana joined Mississippi for a beef repro shortcourse

95% of responding participants would attend another program via distance education

95% of responding participants would attend another program via distance education

11 sites

3 sites

April 2005 Alabama joined in for carcass fabrication demonstration

Used portable technology to show fabrication of carcasses on a real-time basis

4.06 as a positive experience

3.83 for ease of communication

4.11 for willingness to attend in future

4.11 for preference over travel to campus

4.06 as a positive experience

3.83 for ease of communication

4.11 for willingness to attend in future

4.11 for preference over travel to campus

Producer Ratings of Distance Ed. Format 1 to 5 scale (1=poor, 5=excellent)Producer Ratings of Distance Ed. Format 1 to 5 scale (1=poor, 5=excellent)

November 2005Three State, three session genetics shortcourse

January 2006 – March 2006Two State, 8 session Master Cattle Producers Program (424 participants)

May 2006 – Source/Age 1 day shortcourse

November 2006Four State, 2 session Herd Health shortcourse

Addition of Florida

Knowledgeable, enthusiastic site moderator

Encourage questions

Stimulate discussion

Help producers become comfortable with technology

Serve as knowledge base

Programs producers want Use evaluation instrument to gage what topics producers are interested in

Program must be thought out and organized

Get best speakers for topicMust be willing/able to talk specifics for region

Simple, uncluttered slides Light background

Dark letters

This seems to increase readability where internet is not as fast or lower quality

Sometimes slides transmit upside down, or green, or on a time delay

Sound is usually okay

Must provide copies of slides Prefer 2 slides to a page

Helps readability Ability to take notes on slides

Which also means speakers need to have slides finished more than 20 minutes before presentation

Moderators mad Producers frustrated

Understand not all programs can or should be delivered using video-conference technology

Still need personal touch

Planning our next shortcourse

Really a series of nutritional meetings

Named our cooperative effort

The use of video-conference technology can help serve clientele as:

People resources are not replaced in Extension Time constraints and fuel costs continue to be a factor

However, site moderators are key for success Be prepared for glitches. It will happen.