Schools Services: Videoconferencing

One of the key growth areas in the use of the NEN and JANET by schools is that of videoconferencing.

JANET(UK) supports VC Content, enables VC Partners, collects VC Case Studies and manages VC Events.

All UK schools* with appropriate videoconferencing equipment are eligible to register with the JANET Videoconferencing Service (JVCS) and, depending on their network configuration, can interact with many National Museums and other content providers delivering educational content. The service is funded centrally for schools throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and is therefore free at the point of use. The JANET VC Partners programme enables schools to find other schools for educational collaboration.

Educational content providers (museums, galleries, archives, libraries and distance learning providers) are eligible to register with JVCS to deliver sessions to UK schools. There is a growing group of content providers registered with JVCS delivering high quality educational content to schools. More information about VC Content for schools and the use of JVCS by content providers is available..

JVCS provides operational support for standards-based national and international videoconferencing via the IP (broadband) and ISDN (digital telephone) networks. To enable schools videoconferencing, local authorities and RBCs need to consider providing a firewall-traversal solution that also supports the Global Dialling Scheme. Local authorities and RBCs should not need to provide major items of equipment infrastructure, such as Multipoint Control Units and Gateways, as these are all provided centrally by JANET. The JVCS infrastructure is centrally funded and designed to accommodate increasing demand. The services are under frequent review and there is a programme of continual development.

Graphs illustrating the growth in the take-up and use of JVCS by schools.

Register with JVCS

5 Steps towards a sucessful Videoconference (PDF)

 

Join the VCSP Email List:

Subscribe to the Videoconferencing for Schools Project (VCSP) email list. VCSP is a UK-wide list for those in the education and cultural sectors involved in delivering, receiving or enabling education via videoconferencing.

 

Videoconferencing enquiries:

Organisations that are registered with JVCS:
Operational questions: please contact JVCS directly.
Policy questions: please contact the JANET Video Services team via the JANET Service Desk.

Organisations that are not yet registered with JVCS:

Organisations	Contact
Local authorities and RBCs:	Video Services team via the JANET Service Desk
State schools:	Your local authority or RBC. They will understand your needs and, if appropriate, help you to register with the JANET Videoconferencing Service.
Independent and Offshore schools:	Video Services team via the JANET Service Desk
Content providers (museums, galleries, archives, libraries and distance learning providers):	Tim Boundy

* Covers government-funded (state) schools. Other UK private educational and education-related organisations, including independent schools, museums, galleries and other approved educational content providers, are eligible to register with JVCS for a modest licence fee.