Video Conferencing Fundamentals a.k.a Videoconferencing 101 Jim Freese, CTAP Region IV Linda Uhrenholt, SBC Education Advocate Jim Freese, CTAP Region IV Linda Uhrenholt, SBC Education Advocate

Remember George Jetson?

Early Video Conference – Picturephones

Things to Discuss  What is Videoconferencing?  Why videoconference?  Types of videoconferencing  Equipment & Set-up  Preparation  Etiquette & Procedures  Curriculum Enhancement  Other  What is Videoconferencing?  Why videoconference?  Types of videoconferencing  Equipment & Set-up  Preparation  Etiquette & Procedures  Curriculum Enhancement  Other

What is Videoconferencng?  Videoconferencing technology allows people at two or more locations to see and hear each other at the same time……..

……..Examples

Why Video Conference?  Courses, Lessons and Tutoring  Virtual Field Trips  Multi-School Projects  International Projects  Pull in an Expert  Community Events  Professional Activities  Courses, Lessons and Tutoring  Virtual Field Trips  Multi-School Projects  International Projects  Pull in an Expert  Community Events  Professional Activities

Types of Video Conferencing  ISDN -Point to Point dial up  IP - Goes over a Broadband Internet connection  ISDN -Point to Point dial up  IP - Goes over a Broadband Internet connection

Advantage:Call anywhere in the world Disadvantage:Pay by the minute Network Choices Circuit Switched: 64K per call Dial-up network

Network Choices Advantage:Free within the LAN, WAN line sharing Disadvantage:LAN contention, bandwidth hog TCP/IP (LAN) Dial-up Network

Advantage:High Bandwidth, fixed cost Disadvantage:Only “Point A” to “Point B” Private (Leased) Line Private Line Network Choices

The California K-12 High Speed Network  California K-12 High Speed Network   K12video.org  California K-12 High Speed Network   K12video.org

IP Video Conferencing  Dial-up IP to IP  Dedicated equipment  Professional services  Server Based  AIM, iChat, Netmeeting, iVisit, SightSpeed etc.  Dial-up IP to IP  Dedicated equipment  Professional services  Server Based  AIM, iChat, Netmeeting, iVisit, SightSpeed etc.

Management & Storage of Archived Events  

Play with the Big Boys  Yes, Polycom has two shoestring solutions.  Polycom ViaVideo - $600  Polycom PVX - $150  Yes, Polycom has two shoestring solutions.  Polycom ViaVideo - $600  Polycom PVX - $150

Polycom PVX  Low Cost  Works with your PC and USB Web Cam  Custom Polycom Software  Low Cost  Works with your PC and USB Web Cam  Custom Polycom Software

Polycom ViaVideo  High Quality Camera  Multimedia Processor  Custom Polycom Software  Works with your PC  High Quality Camera  Multimedia Processor  Custom Polycom Software  Works with your PC

What Will YOU Be Getting? Polycom V500  Sits atop any television and uses a television-like remote control.  Connect to your Cable, DSL, LAN or ISDN network  Delivers natural, smooth motion video and crystal-clear audio in a convenient and compact design  Features data-sharing support so schools can receive slides and other content during a video call.  Sits atop any television and uses a television-like remote control.  Connect to your Cable, DSL, LAN or ISDN network  Delivers natural, smooth motion video and crystal-clear audio in a convenient and compact design  Features data-sharing support so schools can receive slides and other content during a video call.

What Will YOU Be Getting? Polycom VXS 6000  Built-in IP network connectivity allows for seamless integration of group video conferencing into existing networks  Set-top system includes all of the basics for video conferencing.  Built-in IP network connectivity allows for seamless integration of group video conferencing into existing networks  Set-top system includes all of the basics for video conferencing.

iChat- Apple  OSX based system  Apples version of AIM free  iSight or USB or Firewire webcam  Compatible with AOL Instant Messenger Video  Upcoming version supports multiple connections iger/ichat.html  OSX based system  Apples version of AIM free  iSight or USB or Firewire webcam  Compatible with AOL Instant Messenger Video  Upcoming version supports multiple connections iger/ichat.html

AOL IM Video  PC based system  AIM is free  USB webcam  Compatible with Apples iChat AV  PC based system  AIM is free  USB webcam  Compatible with Apples iChat AV

SightSpeed  Multiplatform  USB, Firewire Web Cam or iSight  Free & Subscription versions  Multi Users  Works over many firewalls  Multiplatform  USB, Firewire Web Cam or iSight  Free & Subscription versions  Multi Users  Works over many firewalls

Video Conference Planning  Checklist & Planning Guide  In packet  Test, test and test  Lights and sound  Lighting helps  Audio feedback and noise  rgence.html  Great streaming video about planning! Scroll down to Videoconference Zone...  Checklist & Planning Guide  In packet  Test, test and test  Lights and sound  Lighting helps  Audio feedback and noise  rgence.html  Great streaming video about planning! Scroll down to Videoconference Zone...

6 Tips  Colors: clothes, color coding, color discussions  Breaks, breakouts, and briefs  Lunches and labs  Engaging quieter students  Guest presenters  Pre-course tools, communications, and assignments.  Colors: clothes, color coding, color discussions  Breaks, breakouts, and briefs  Lunches and labs  Engaging quieter students  Guest presenters  Pre-course tools, communications, and assignments.

Tip #1: Colors  Clothes  Wear bright colors and invite students to wear VC-friendly colors (Blues, Violets, Pinks…even orange!)  Point out which colors and patterns to avoid, such as shirts that are all-white or wild, checkered sweaters.  Color Coding  Consider colored name tents to see student names and category (type project, subject)  Color discussions  Back drops, wall colors, signage.  Clothes  Wear bright colors and invite students to wear VC-friendly colors (Blues, Violets, Pinks…even orange!)  Point out which colors and patterns to avoid, such as shirts that are all-white or wild, checkered sweaters.  Color Coding  Consider colored name tents to see student names and category (type project, subject)  Color discussions  Back drops, wall colors, signage.

Tip #2: Breaks, Breakouts, and Briefs  Breaks  Exercise breaks  Rotate seats, so different groups get to “center stage” from time to time.  Breakouts  Small group assignments (10-15 minutes)  Briefs  Mini-presentations by small groups  Student introductions  Student project “snap shots” (1 minute max)  Breaks  Exercise breaks  Rotate seats, so different groups get to “center stage” from time to time.  Breakouts  Small group assignments (10-15 minutes)  Briefs  Mini-presentations by small groups  Student introductions  Student project “snap shots” (1 minute max)

Tip #3: Lunches and Labs  Lunches  If class is on either side of a lunch break, consider running mini-film festivals on supporting information. (History or Literature classes w/ snippets of classics on video, Documentaries, etc.)  Labs  Schedule labs in campus computing centers for exercises supporting classroom discussion.  Lunches and/or Labs  Combine lunch and lab times for student and teacher flexibility. (Loop films to run and re-run)  Lunches  If class is on either side of a lunch break, consider running mini-film festivals on supporting information. (History or Literature classes w/ snippets of classics on video, Documentaries, etc.)  Labs  Schedule labs in campus computing centers for exercises supporting classroom discussion.  Lunches and/or Labs  Combine lunch and lab times for student and teacher flexibility. (Loop films to run and re-run)

Tip #4: Engaging Quiet Students  Breakout assignments  Charge breakout groups with identifying fellow students that haven’t had as much opportunity to participate -- have them give group “readouts” as group’s video spokesperson  “Distant Stars”  Rotate remote point-persons for distributing handouts, collecting assignments, faxing sign-in sheet.  Breakout assignments  Charge breakout groups with identifying fellow students that haven’t had as much opportunity to participate -- have them give group “readouts” as group’s video spokesperson  “Distant Stars”  Rotate remote point-persons for distributing handouts, collecting assignments, faxing sign-in sheet.

Tip #5: Guest Presenters  Invite colleagues or students from other schools to bridge into videoconference.  Reserve a spot for public if attending  Presentations - no lectures, please!  50% presentation50% Q & A  Invite colleagues or students from other schools to bridge into videoconference.  Reserve a spot for public if attending  Presentations - no lectures, please!  50% presentation50% Q & A

Tip #6: Pre-course Tools, Communications, and Assignments.  Tools (Website with syllabus, class rules, readings, recommended URLs, etc.)  Communications ( , Listserv, ClassChat)  Assignments  Tools (Website with syllabus, class rules, readings, recommended URLs, etc.)  Communications ( , Listserv, ClassChat)  Assignments

PLAN “B” rolling blackouts, V.I.P. tours, construction crews, etc. Class needs to know what to do/where to go if connection goes down, one site is evacuated, or other unforeseen event.  Supplemental Communications  , Listserv, chat  Website assignments  Lab and Library work  Break out sessions Class needs to know what to do/where to go if connection goes down, one site is evacuated, or other unforeseen event.  Supplemental Communications  , Listserv, chat  Website assignments  Lab and Library work  Break out sessions

Videoconference Links  Videoconference Hotlist  Polycom:  iChat:  SightSpeed:  AIM(at AOL): video_im  NetMeeting:  Yahoo!Messenger  iVisit:  Videoconference Hotlist  Polycom:  iChat:  SightSpeed:  AIM(at AOL): video_im  NetMeeting:  Yahoo!Messenger  iVisit:

Thanks! Are you ready for some videoconferencing? In the words of Dr. Phi “Let’s do it!”