Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Learner Goals
Describe videoconferencing concepts, including situations where videoconferencing may be used Identify the videoconferencing equipment Locate and utilize AGNR specific videoconferencing information on the web Describe who to contact for scheduling a videoconference Describe how to prepare for a videoconference
Overview of Videoconferencing - Slide #3
Videoconferencing Components
Cameras (to capture and send video from your local endpoint) Video displays (to display video received from remote endpoints) Microphones (to capture and send audio from your local endpoint) Speakers (to play audio received from remote endpoints)
Overview of Videoconferencing - Slide #5
Codec - "compressor/de-compressor - makes the audio/video data "small enough" to be practical for sending over expensive network connections. A codec takes analog signals, compresses and digitizes them, and transmits the signals over digital phone lines. The Supporting System and the Network Connection
A polycom is:
A) one of those geometric atrocities whose
angles add up to heck of a lot more than the sum of its sides B) A tame parrot (Polycalm, get it?) C) A triangular representation of the USS Starship. D) None of the above
Overview of Videoconferencing - Slide #8
Polycom
Polycom is the market leader in endpoint voice and video communications. AGNR has been a user of Polycom equipment for roughly two years. This past summer, University System of Maryland upgraded its Interactive Video Network (IVN), standardizing on Polycom videoconferencing equipment.
Overview of Videoconferencing - Slide #9
Polycom Units
Personal units:
ViaVideo
Desktop Systems
ViaVideo -
Point-toPoint-to-point Conferences
Point-to-point A videoconference that connects two locations. Each site sees and hears the other sites at all times
Multipoint Conferences
Point-to-multipoint A videoconference that connects to more than two sites through the use of a multi-point control unit, or MCU. Participants at all sites can hear one another at all times and see the site that is currently speaking.
Voice activated switching
Multi-point conferencing can be effective although the scheduling, technical, and logistical dimensions of MCU conferences can be imposing.
Multipoint Conferences
of Information Technology Some of the Polycom units (Gudelsky Center, LESREC, UMD - Plant Sciences, and UMES) include four point MCU functionality
Various Uses:
Presentations Virtual meetings Videoconference-based learning JIT (just in time) events Recruitment/search committees General meetings
Additional Uses:
Project coordination Informal work sessions Alumni relations Question and answer sessions
Visual Collaboration
Meetings training Work alone On-site training training Save Money Reliable connections Videoconferencing Meetings, presentations, Teaming, local and remote Distance learning, online Be more productive Managed network services Visual collaboration Visual Collaboration
Andrew W. Davis Wainhouse Research June 1999
Benefits of Videoconferencing
Can improve work quality Increase productivity Reduce costs Improves communication Groups can meet more frequently Critical meetings can be convened in less time More faculty and staff can be involved
Closely resembles traditional classroom-based education; permits learners to be active participants in the process Faculty and staff needs can be met more quickly through just-in-time training More faculty and staff can be trained faster without increasing training resources Guest lecturers can be easily integrated into the course
Enables any site to be the provider of the learning activities. Videoconferencing is cost-effective, when you consider the traveling costs for traditional training. Videoconference-based learning exploits the already acquired videoconferencing technologies and network infrastructure. H.323 standards provide for learners in any H.323 compliant site to be active participants.
Overview of Videoconferencing - Slide #22
Limitations of Videoconferencing
The initial cost of the equipment and leasing the lines to transmit conferences may be prohibitive. Unless a strong effort is made by the instructor, students not located with the instructor may remain uninvolved in the course. If visuals, like handwritten or copied materials, are not properly prepared, students may have a difficult time reading them.
Limitations of Videoconferencing
If the pipe that carries the transmission among sites is not large enough, the students may observe ghost images when rapid movement occurs in real time If the system is not properly configured, class members may observe an audio echo effect. The result is audio interference that detracts from the learning environment.
Limitations of Videoconferencing
The absence of QOS (Quality of Service) provides virtually no guarantee of a satisfying and successful experience Though the technology is improving, a successful videoconference is dependent upon the connections and technologies at all of the participating sites, AND the network infrastructure Security issues
At the beginning of a videoconference make sure that participants introduce themselves. It is often helpful to have a sign in the background that gives your location. Look directly at the camera as often as possible when speaking. Wear neutral, solid colors. Avoid checks and stripes. Avoid white and shades of red. Red is not codec-friendly. Bright fluorescent objects also cause halo effects and other distracting artifacts.
Overview of Videoconferencing - Slide #26
Try to have direct light on the face of the person speaking. Too much light from behind causes silhouetting, too much from above causes shadows under the eyes. Avoid placing videoconferencing equipment in rooms prone to echo effects or exposed to outside noise. Eliminate in-room sources of extraneous noise. On multipoint video conferences mute your location when not speaking.
Overview of Videoconferencing - Slide #28
Wye
Gudelsky Center UMD Plant Sciences Building UMD, Symons Hall Salisbury Facility (LESREC) UMES, Henson Center
Overview of Videoconferencing - Slide #30
Gudelsky Center, Al Ingling UMD, Plant Sciences, Chris Sargent Salisbury Facility (LESREC), Expected to be operational - Feb '02, Vanessa Fitzmaurice Symons Hall, Brad Paleg UMES, Henson Building, Kat Harting Washington County Cooperative Extension Office, Steve Rogowsky Wye, Nan Stenzel
Overview of Videoconferencing - Slide #31
Reduce Distractions Engage Students with Variety and Interaction Encourage Dialogue
Overview of Videoconferencing - Slide #33
Find out who handles difficult technical problems and how to contact him/her. Designate a remote facilitator. Develop a contingency plan for the remote site and share it with the remote facilitator. You might, for example, have a discussion topic or activity that supports the videoconference outcomes.
Share telephone numbers with your remote facilitator and troubleshooters. Make sure you (and your troubleshooters) are familiar with the equipment. Establish your connection 15-30 minutes prior to the meeting time. Most technical problems are observable when establishing a connection. If you have never connected with your remote site plan a "dry run" a week or so ahead of time.
Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3,
Connect and test PRIOR to the scheduled time Utilize the picture-in-picture to get a sense of
few adjustments as possible Unnecessary "twiddling" of audio or video can have very distracting results.
Overview of Videoconferencing - Slide #37
person exchange than a telephone call body language and facial expression count! Avoid "multi-tasking" with other work, looking at other applications on the computer screen, talking to other local participants.
video conference distract from the primary conversation. Side conversations at remote sites seem to spring up more readily than they would if everyone were in the same actual room, which causes problems to voice-activated switching.
Videoconferencing Resources:
AGNR information:
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/cit/dl/, click on
Videoconferencing