1 Teaching via videoconferencing Mark Childs Cat Fergusson Christine Smith

2 Aims of session Introduction to the types of technology on offer outline of some of the issues involved in conducting tutorials and lectures via videoconferencing details concerning planning and setting up a videoconference

3 Teaching via videoconferencing 1. Introduction 2. The ANNIE project 3. Technologies at Warwick

4 Teaching via videoconferencing 4. Tutorials 5. Lectures 6. setting up a videoconference

5 Teaching via videoconferencing 7. contacts 8. specific technical points 9. terminology

6 1. Introduction experiences plans questions

7 2. The ANNIE project Providing access to remote experts/ remote delivery to students using various technologies in various teaching situations supporting drama, dance and theatre studies

8 The ANNIE project First Year: Students and staff at Warwick, Kent, De Montfort and Exeter universities Also involving lecturers from BBC, Kansas University, TechBC Second year: further dissemination

9 3. Various technologies Advantages and disadvantages ISDN ISDN at Warwick IP ViewStation IP at Warwick IP + PC + projection

10 ISDN videoconference Advantages standard technology provides dedicated high bandwidth Disadvantage facilities at Warwick, unsuitable, unreliable, expensive (for teaching)

11 IP-based videoconferencing Advantages plugs into any network port plug-and-play Disadvantage requires high bandwidth (at least 0.5 Mbps)

12 Using IP + PC-based conferencing For tutorials just need a PC, a headset, and a webcamera For lectures also need a data projector, speakers, a digital video camera and a videobus

13 IP + PCs + projection Weaknesses  low quality  bandwidth problems  may require some support at far end  permissions through firewalls

14 IP + PCs + projection Strengths some preferred low quality of IP felt empowered by:  familiar technology  location of technology  ease of use low or no cost

15 4. Tutorials Not problematic pedagogically communication modes one-to-one, -two -three interactive student-centred focused on shared documents

16 Communication style Hand-over between speakers difficult due to time lag slower and clearer interactions if breakdown in communication - stop and clarify before moving on monitor outgoing image

17 Other things that can help Shared props - handouts, documents media files “dress rehearsal”

18 Using NetMeeting Chat whiteboard desktop sharing file transfer

19 5. Lectures Require more modification many-to-one communication students not as participatory more difficult for participants to be attentive for long periods

20 Modifying lectures Structure break into short sections have non-videoconference-based activities for students to do frequently and formally elicit feedback if possible have facilitator at other end

21 6. Setting up a videoconference Numbers; IP, telephone, ISDN times who's contacting whom software versions distribute documents

22 7. Contacts services/audiovisual/bookvconf.html

23 8. Technical points Echo sightlines firewalls USB and parallel ports

24 9. Terminology Bridge bit rate/ baud rate typical bandwidths