video conferencing

Videoconferencing

Steve Cayleysmcayley@devon.gov.uk

Types of Network

Network Reach Typical Bandwidth Comments

ISDN Point to Point

Dial up

128 kbs – 384 kbs + Costs!

Predictable Bandwidth

LAN (Local Area Network)

Within a school 10 Mbs Internal only

Free*

WAN (Wide Area Network)

Across a number of centres or school

2 Mbs – 100Mbs + Predictable Bandwidth

Free*

Internet Worldwide 56 kbs – 1Gbs + Unpredictable Bandwidth

Free*

Advantages of IP Conferencing

• Low Cost

• Potentially higher quality calls • Multiple End Points

• Variety of locations in a school

• Variety of endpoints

• Links to conferencing applications

South West Grid for Learning

Internet

• National E164 Numbering Scheme

• Scheduling and Management System• Directories• Bandwidth Management• Call Establishment

• Multipoint Conferencing

• Gatekeeper Services

• ISDN Gateway

SWGfL Videoconferencing Support

International

Prefix

Local /

Regional

Prefix

Category Organisation ID. End-Point ID

0044 02xxx

(5 digits)

1 digit 4 digits 3 digits

ISDN Sites

SWGfL

Internet

Video Conferencing – Applications

• Professional Development

• Foundation Curriculum

• Lesson Observation – Numeracy

• KS3 Literacy

Anne Frank House

Robben Island

Holocaust Day – January 27, 2003

Video Conferencing – Applications

• Professional Development

• “Punching holes in classroom walls”

• School to School collaboration

• Sharing cultural differences

• Meeting with experts

• Communicating across boarders

Video Conferencing – Applications

• Professional Development

• “Punching holes in classroom walls”• School to school communication• Sharing cultural differences• Meeting with experts• Communicating across boarders

• Shared teaching and externally provided courses

Video Conferencing – Applications

• Professional Development

• “Punching holes in classroom walls”• School to school communication• Sharing cultural differences• Meeting with experts• Communicating across borders

• Shared teaching and externally provided courses

• Administration

Video Conferencing – The Future

• Anywhere – Anytime Conferencing

• Used by Classes, Groups and Individuals

• Supporting the 14 – 19 Curriculum

• Supporting CPD

• Developing use for Administration

Video Conferencing – The Future

• The future is IP based

• Use of Wide Range of Devices

• Integration with other tools:• MLEs• Presentation Software• Scheduling and Management Systems• Video and Audio Editing• Interactive Whiteboards

VideoconferencingPractical Considerations

Audio

85 per cent of the information disseminated in a video conference is delivered aurally, so getting the audio right is a high priority.

• Consider the choice of room

• Switch off any heaters or air-conditioning systems

• The room should be as undisturbed as possible by external noise

• Know how to MUTE your system

VideoconferencingPractical Considerations

Lighting

It is not normally necessary to bring in specialist lighting. In practice, if a room is to be used regularly, it is better to cut out natural lighting and use artificial lighting, over which you have control.

Lighting should fall on the faces of those taking part in the conference to give a good picture to the far-end.

Don't sit in front of a window - this will produce good silhouettes but will mask the detail of faces.

Turn off any computer screens that are in view.

Avoid cluttered backgrounds. A single-colour background, perhaps with a sign or logo to identify the school, is better than lots of pictures, work or posters.

VideoconferencingPractical Considerations

Room Layout

Ensure that all those taking part are in the camera shot.

Ensure that those speaking can be clearly identified.If numbers involved are small, aim for a 'head and shoulders' shot of the participants.

If numbers are large, it may be necessary to move those contributing nearer to the camera and microphone for parts of the conference - however, aim to keep movement to a minimum.

Ensure that all those taking part can see the screen.

The camera should be positioned close above or below the screen and presenters should look directly at the camera so it appears to those watching at the far-end that they are looking directly at them.

New Edition Available January 2004

Videoconferencing

Steve Cayleysmcayley@devon.gov.uk