1. Videoconference Educational Technology of Computer Science 2004

2. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen2 Outline F What? F Why? F Equipments needed? F Preparations before the conference F Videoconference in action F Exercise for today

3. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen3 What is a videoconference? F real-time discussions F via the network connections (IP/ISDN) F with picture AND sound connections F between at least two participants –e.g. virtual meetings, seminars, distance lectures, supervising etc.

4. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen4 Why to use a videoconference? F cheap to organize –low costs, no need to travel, ”stressless” F reasonable to combine the resources –same information into the several places simultaneuosly F benefits comparing to teleconferences –documents, shared presentations, pictures, you will see who is speaking etc.

5. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen5 Ways to organize (1/2) F between two participants –one or the other is calling –partners will see each other (own side in a little window and the opposite side in a bigger window)

6. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen6 Ways to organize (2/2)? F between several participants (more than two) –MCU (Multi-Cast Unit) is needed –participants are calling for the MCU or MCU will call for all of the participants (usually) –all of the participants will see u own side in a little window and the one who is speaking in a bigger window u or they will see all partners in small windows (e.g. four little windows)

7. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen7 Technical requirements F IP or ISDN network connection F Gateway is needed, if both IP and ISDN equipments are participating into the conference F MCU is needed, if more than two participants

8. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen8 What is needed (1/4) ? F the minimum requirements (IP): –a computer (and the software) –a web camera –a pair of headphones and microphone F benefits: cheap

9. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen9 What is needed (2/4) ? F better solution (IP): –a computer –a hardware: included a microphone, a camera and the software F benefits: –better picture –excellent sound

10. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen10 What is needed (3/4) ? F Transferrable equipments (IP / ISDN) –independent –TV or videoprojector F benefits: –easy to use –reliable

11. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen11 What is needed (4/4) ? F Fixed installation –independent –usually videoprojector / TV / plasmadisplay –monitoring displays –control panels –several cameras F benefits: high-quality F disadvantages: expencive

12. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen12 It depends on... F how often do you need the videoconference? F how many participants? F what kind of quality needed? F what are you doing during the videoconference? u meetings, discussing? u share the files and / or presentations, and discuss based on them? u teaching situations, showing demos? etc.

13. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen13 Some softwares F Lotus Sametime: http://www.lotus.com/sametime F First Virtual Communications (FVC) http://www.fvc.com F Polycom Office: http://www.polycom.com

14. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen14 Before a videoconference just remember... F to book –the room and the equipments –the time of MCU F to check the numbers –IP, gatekeeper, phone numbers –who is calling to whom?

15. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen15 ….. and remember also F to test the connections in advance –at latest on the previous day F to ensure the availability of technical support –at least the phone number to her/him F to fit the exact time schedule with the participants

16. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen16 ….. and remember F to prepare all the materials needed F to plan the agenda during the conference (e.g. the pauses) F to plan the ”emergency” plan –another room / equipments –teleconference equipments –mobile conference

17. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen17 …. and remember F to check the functionallity of the videoconference equipments F to test all of the equipments needed during the confefence –document camera –PC and softwares needed –loadspeakers etc.

18. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen18 and remember to take a connection in time!

19. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen19 Videoconference in action (1/2) F speak in a clear way –peacefully and slowly enough F don’t walk around!!!! F microphone has to be in the mute position when you are not speaking!!! –reduce the interfences

20. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen20 Videoconference in action (2/2) F take care of the colours and lights –avoid dark colours F take care of the use of camera –don’t zoom all the time –don’t move the picture all the time from point to point –zoom always to the speaker when (s)he is speaking

21. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen21 Videoconference in abstract F IP or ISDN equipments –IP -number or telephone number F Phonenumber for –other participants –technical support F Time schedule F Softwares and equipments needed F Testing at latest on the day before

22. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen22 Scheme for the typical videoconference F greetings and short presentations –only speakers will be presented F schedule of the conference –what is going to be happend –is there any pauses etc. F presentations F questions and discussions F thanks and disconnect

23. 19.3.2004JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen23 Acknowledgements F This presentation is based to the Finnish presentation made by Mika Surakka, Educational Technology Centre