JVCS - Schools

JANET Videoconferencing Service (JVCS)

Schools Videoconferencing Services Project (VCSP)

The Videoconferencing Services Project is a DfES-funded project, managed by JANET(UK), to project national-scale videoconferencing between schools networks via the JANET Interconnect until the end of March 2005. This will build on the work already accomplished by the RBCs in establishing videoconferencing services within their regions, and establish the interoperability standards and support services required for seamless national and international use of videoconferencing by schools.

The Videoconferencing Services Project allows participating schools to use the central gateway (IP-ISDN) facilities of the JANET Videoconferencing Service (JVCS), currently used by UK universities and colleges on the JANET network. The JVCS offers a centralised videoconferencing resource including a Web-based Booking Service, managed multipoint conferencing units and video technology support. The JVCS Management Centre, based at the Computing Services in the University of Edinburgh, provides management for all central resources, including the gatekeeper hierarchy and registration of organisations. The Management Centre also undertakes Quality Assurance Assessments of all registered endpoints.

Access to these facilities will enable a school with an ISDN connection to videoconference with a school which has a Broadband connection. Broadband-enabled schools in different RBCs will be able to videoconference via the JANET Interconnect, using IP only. Schools will also be able to videoconference with colleges, universities, museums and other educational organisations, using the IP-ISDN gateway or IP-IP via the JANET Interconnect.

Videoconferencing support for schools will continue to be provided through their existing Local Authority/Regional Broadband Consortium support structure. Schools must liaise with their Local Authority/RBC prior to registering to use the JANET Videoconferencing Service. A condition of participating in the project is that each school completes a brief Web-based feedback form after each videoconference.

From this page you can access links to the following information:

JANET Videoconferencing Policy - Schools Videoconferencing Project

All videoconferences must conform to this policy.

JANET Videoconferencing Policy - Content Providers

Any Content Provider who wishes to provide content to the Schools Videoconferencing Project must adhere to the conditions of use.

JANET Videoconferencing Bulk Registration of videoconferencing endpoints

Please complete the worksheets within the spreadsheet to facilitate registration of multiple endpoints
Click here to download the spreadsheet
Please send the spreadsheet as an attachment to vidconf@jvcs.ja.net once completed The help document related to bulk uploads can be seen here.

Videoconferencing at a glance

A leaflet (pdf) detailing a summary of videoconferencing for schools can be seen here.

JANET Videoconferencing Safety

Videoconferencing is a very powerful way to collaborate, with considerable potential benefits for education. However, like any communication technology, videoconferencing can be misused. Please read the factsheet provided here which provides some guidelines on how to set up and use videoconferencing safely.

JANET Videoconferencing Service (JVCS) Booking Service

The Booking Service provides a web interface to place a JANET videoconferencing booking. It also provides details of videoconferencing facilities at each registered institution and a summary of existing bookings. In order to access the service and request a booking you must first register and have a valid user ID and password. The on-line help within the Booking Service pages provide information on how to place a booking. A booking user Guide to the JVCS Booking Service is available, and a guide for administrators can be found here.

How to register a gatekeeper on JVCS

JANET maintains an E.164 gatekeeper hierarchy on the Global Dialling Scheme (GDS) as explained in the JVCS-IP documentation. In order to register your gatekeeper with the GDS please see the documentation at this link.

Endpoint Quality Assurance Assessment

The Quality Assurance Assessment is a check carried out between the school's endpoint and the JANET Videoconferencing Management Centre. This 15 minute check is to evaluate the suitability of your endpoint for multipoint videoconferencing. At the end of the check you will be prorvided with recommendations on how to improve quality, where required.

Licensing

Independent schools
Independent schools must take out a licence to use JVCS, at Pound Sterling 300 plus VAT per endpoint per annum. Their use of JANET and JANET services is not covered by the government funding.

Offshore governments
Schools in Guernsey Jersey, Isle of Man, etc must take out licences as these governments are not providing any funding for their schools to use JVCS."

Opt-out LAs
The opt-out LAs do not have to take up licences to use JVCS; they are to be treated in exactly the same way as RBCs.

Feedback form

In order to ensure that the service provided to schools is of the highest possible quality please complete the on-line feedback form. This will give valuable feedback on the videoconferencing project. A condition of participating in the project is that each school completes a brief Web-based Feedback Form after each videoconference.

VCSP Project - Further Information

Further information about the UK-wide VCSP Project is available at http://www.ja.net/community/schools/vc/