Overview of Videoconferencing

1. Overview of Videoconferencing Tracey Ricco, District Tech Educator K-5 Judy Adam, Educational Technology Administrator

2. "Facing the Challenge of a New Age" “This new world of geographical togetherness has been brought about, to a great extent, by man's scientific and technological genius. Man has been able to dwarf distance, place time in chains and carve highways through the stratosphere. Through our scientific genius, we have made the world a neighborhood…” Martin Luther King, Jr., December, 1956

3. Videoconferencing – What Is It? “Video conferencing in its most basic form is the transmission of image (video) and speech (audio) back and forth between two or more physically separate locations.” Video Conferencing Cookbook. http://www.vide.gatech.edu/cookbook2.0/

4. Learner Goals • Describe videoconferencing concepts, including situations where videoconferencing may be used • Know who to contact for assistance with scheduling a videoconference • Describe how to prepare for a videoconference • Identify the videoconferencing equipment

5. Videoconferencing Components • Cameras (to capture and send video from your local endpoint) • Video displays (to display video received from remote endpoints) • Microphones (to capture and send audio from your local endpoint) • Speakers (to play audio received from remote endpoints) • High Speed connection (no dialup!) • Projector for whole class presentation

6. Videoconferencing software • iChat - resident on MacBook laptops and higher - uses free aim.com account • SKYPE - free download from web - uses SKYPE accounts • ooVoo - free download from web - uses ooVoo accounts • Others such as Microsoft live, Google chat/talk, etc.

7. Show Me The Money • Medium / Large Room Systems • Polycom and ViewStation FX - $8,000 –$10,000 • Small Room Systems • ViewStation H.323 - $4,000 - $6,000 • Desktop Systems • ViaVideo - $400 • MacBook laptop with iChat or Skype • Built-in webcam • Built -in microphone $0 (priceless)

8. Videoconferencing Equipment • Medium / Large Room Systems • Polycom • MacBook Laptop

9. Point-to-point Conferences • Point-to-point – A videoconference that connects two locations - SKYPE. • Point-to-multipoint – A videoconference that connects to more than two sites through the use of a multi-point control unit, or MCU – iChat. • Each site sees and hears the other sites at all times.

10. Multipoint Conferences • iChat - 4 multipoint • ooVoo - 6 multipoint • (Not SKYPE) point-to-point

11. Setting Up Free Accounts • SKYPE - go to skype.com. Get SKYPE account. Add buddies. Make video call. • iChat - go to aim.com and get AIM account. Open iChat. Add Buddy. Click on video chat. Accept if called. • ooVoo - go to ooVoo.com. Get ooVoo account. Add friends. Start ooVoo video chat.

12. But It’s Much More Than Video: • Computer presentations • Other media • CDs, DVDs, • Digital Visualizers (document cameras, hardcopies, photos) • Send and present movies - iChat Theater Video Conferencing has lots of other perks!

13. Various Uses: • Presentations • Virtual meetings • Videoconference-based learning • Home-school connection

14. Benefits of Videoconference-based Learning • Closely resembles traditional classroom-based education; permits learners to be active participants in the process • Faculty and staff needs can be met more quickly through just-in-time training

15. Limitations of Videoconferencing • If the “pipe” that carries the transmission among sites is not large enough, the students may observe “ghost images” when rapid movement occurs in “real time”. • If the system is not properly configured, class members may observe an audio “echo” effect. The result is audio interference that detracts from the learning environment. • This is why you need to connect via ethernet and notify Judy.adam@sbschools.org.

16. Limitations of Videoconferencing • The absence of QOS (Quality of Service) provides virtually no guarantee of a satisfying and successful experience • Though the technology is improving, a successful videoconference is dependent upon the connections and technologies at all of the participating sites, AND the network infrastructure • Security issues

17. Tricks Of The Trade • At the beginning of a videoconference make sure that participants introduce themselves. • Look directly at the camera as often as possible when speaking. • Speak loudly and clearly towards microphone.

18. Tricks Of The Trade • Be natural, but try to minimize motion. • Try to arrange a simple, uncluttered, static background in neutral or darker solid colors. Do not sit in front of windows. Tilt pictures, framed degrees, awards or any other glass-covered wall hanging downward to eliminate reflection and glare. • Be natural, but try to minimize motion. • Try to arrange a simple, uncluttered, static background in neutral or darker solid colors. Do not sit in front of windows.

19. Tricks Of The Trade • Be aware of the transmission delay ... pause for others to comment. • When asking questions in a group conference, direct the question to a specific individual if possible.

20. Video Conferencing Etiquette • This is new and we are learning. • Those who come from a television, (production, not watching) as opposed to a computer background, tend to be more effective.

21. Video Conferencing Etiquette • Are you still with me? • Videoconferencing is much more like an in person exchange than a telephone call — body language and facial expression count! • Avoid "multi-tasking" with other work, looking at other applications on the computer screen, talking to other local participants.

22. Video Conferencing Etiquette • Talking out of turn… • Stray noises and side conversations within a video conference distract from the primary conversation. • Side conversations at remote sites seem to spring up more readily than they would if everyone were in the same actual room, which causes problems to voice-activated switching. • Be mindful of directing your voice toward the microphone so the remote location can hear you.

23. Video Conferencing Etiquette • Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3,… • Connect and test PRIOR to the scheduled time • Utilize the picture-in-picture to get a sense of what the remote sites are seeing (Photobooth helps). • Leaving well enough alone… • If the videoconference is satisfactory make as few adjustments as possible. • Unnecessary "twiddling" of audio or video can have very distracting results.

24. Prepare for the Worst Case Scenario • Share telephone numbers with your remote facilitator and troubleshooters. • Make sure you (and your troubleshooters) are familiar with the equipment. • Establish your connection 15-30 minutes prior to the meeting time. Most technical problems are observable when establishing a connection. • If you have never connected with your remote site plan a "dry run" a week or so ahead of time. • Prepare a contingency plan, i.e., speaker phone, audio conference, etc.

25. Videoconferencing in South Brunswick District Schools • SKYPE in D. Miller, First Grade, MJ, with ill student • iChat in C. Rodek-Gray, First Grade, Brooks, with ill student • SKYPE with 2nd grade student, J.Johnson, Greenbrook, with ill student • SKYPE/ooVoo connection with ill student, 4th grade, J.Benoff, Brunswick Acres

26. South Brunswick 2nd Grade Classrooms • iChat - All 2nd grade classrooms connecting with each other in multiple videoconferences satisfying NJCCCS for Technology 2009. • Let’s watch…