Introduction to Videoconferencing
Videoconferencing (VC) may be described as a method of live, interactive communication, using both sound and vision, between two or more locations based locally, nationally or internationally. It is a fast growing medium which has the potential to save significant amounts of money in terms of travel cost/time, can open up new methods of teaching and learning and offer endless educational possibilities to the JANET community.
Although some users think videoconferencing is a new technology; it has actually been with us for decades. Multinational corporations have been routinely using it since the 1980s. Television broadcasters have used two-way studio interviews since at least the 1960s. This type of conferencing is achieved at a high technical standard with broadcast quality sound and pictures. Dedicated connections like these were very expensive so the need had to be overwhelming to justify the cost.
Why has videoconferencing suddenly become much more popular over the last five years? More affordably priced high speed internet access and equipment, have made this type of technology available to a much wider group of users. It has been moved out of the realm of multinational corporations and television to within reach of schools, colleges and universities.
For more information, please see the Introduction to Videoconferencing.
Uses:
- Job interviews – organisation is no longer restricted by geographical location of interviewee
- Teacher evaluations – inspectors may view teaching from remote locations
- Teaching – provides an interesting change from classroom based lessons
- Lectures
- Staff meetings with other organisations, or across multiple sites.
- Performances – watching live performances remotely
- Demonstrations or displays which may not be possible otherwise (remote, secure or dangerous locations).
- Project collaboration – e.g. pupils from different schools participate in one project
- Recorded lectures may assist pupils with learning difficulties or those who are off with a long term illness
- Attendance by participants which would otherwise be unable to join in (accessibility)
Benefits:
- Saves time and money on travel – saves the planet
- Raise the profile of the organisation by promoting the innovative use of IT
- Increases access to many other organisations (locally – nationally - internationally)
- Greater access to experts/specialists (locally – nationally - internationally)
- Facilitates distance learning
- Allows users to go on electronic field trips (locally – nationally - internationally)
- Assists in broadening the whole teaching and learning experience by providing an additional learning resource
Please see our newest Videoconferencing Leaflet for more information.
GET the MOST OUT of a VC
Preparation is Key! This means:
- Ensuring the system operator and students are familiar with the technology beforehand to minimise distractions;
- Keeping it simple - check camera angles – try not to show parts of people – avoid using a number of angles, and excessive camera movement;
- Ensuring any materials needed for the conference are at hand;
- Checking any props or material to be transmitted is prepared for session;
- Trying a practice test beforehand (if possible).
Reflection afterwards will allow users to improve future sessions. It can involve:
- Collecting feedback from pupils and other participants.
- Were the materials suitable?
- Were the audio and video of good quality?
THE BASICS
Videoconferencing can conveniently be broken down into 3 components:
- Environment – room, studio, theatre
- Equipment - CODECs, microphones, monitors or TVs
- Network – IP or ISDN
These three basic elements, however simple or complex must be set up properly for a high quality videoconferencing experience.
Environment
The environment refers to a space where videoconferences are going to be held. It can be a room of any size from an office to lecture theatre depending user needs. Lighting, outside noise and seating layout are a few factors to take into account when setting up a VC suite. For more information on setting up a VC suite see the Planning Rooms factsheet or Videoconferencing Rooms guide.
Equipment
When purchasing equipment, budget and value for money has to be kept in mind but be aware that sometimes audio and video quality will make or break a videoconference. If users consistently have poor sessions, any money saved on buying cheap equipment will have been wasted. JANET(UK) has a preferred pricing Framework Agreement with Direct Visual which eligible organisations are able to take advantage of and will give them best value for money. For more information about videoconferencing equipment, see the equipment evaluations.
Network
Network speed and quality is the third element which will affect a videoconference. If a network doesn’t have enough bandwidth capacity to handle VC traffic, signals being sent and received can be disrupted. This may lead to video that appears to be stop motion (jitter) or audio that is out of synch with the video.
For further assistance email VTAS