1. Video Conferencing – IP
conferencing
Some basic information
What is video conferencing?
You are using video conferencing anytime you
use technology to connect 2 or more locations
by video and audio
Distance learning uses video conferencing
• For the 2002/03 school year, NCCSC used video
conferencing to broadcast the live rat dissection to
other NCCSC schools
• NCCSC conducted a conference with teachers in
Taiwan
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2. Why use video conferencing
Allows you to bring resources into your
classroom that you might not be able to
experience “in person”
• Virtual field trips
• Watch a presentation from a school in another
state of country
• Share a lesson with other schools
What is the cost?
To communicate directly with another
location (like a school or business) there
is not cost to connect
Many distance learning opportunities do
have a fee
• Indianapolis Zoo
• Virtual field trips
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3. Equipment
NCCSC is using Polycom Viewstation
video conferencing systems
• Purchased thru Video Distance Learning
grant
Equipment can be moved to classroom
or library for use
Will only require connecting power and
network cable
What is what?
ViewStation FX H323
• Parker, Eastwood and • Riley and Sunnyside
Technology Center • Point-to-Point only
• Join up to 3 add’n • 1 mic
connections
ViaVideo
• Can add Elmo
• Up to 4 cameras • Wilbur Wright and
Westwood
• VCR can be used
• Point-to-Point only
• 2 mics
• Uses a camera
connected to computer
• Does allow application
sharing
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4. What about CU-SeeMe?
This technology is best suited to a “chat”
situation – not class participation
• But it was a good place to start
Camera worked great for one-on-one but
not a large group
Audio worked best with
headphone/microphone
• Which did not promote classroom situations
Let’s go over some definitions
Point-to-Point Polycom
• 2 participants • Company that makes video
• Remote equipment
• Host • ViewStation FX
Multi-Point • ViaVideo
• More than 1 remote IP address
Remote • Internet Protocol
• Outside locations • The 11 digit number for a
participating website
IP-to-IP
• xxx.xxx.xxx.xx
• All website addresses
• Making a direct call using translate to a number
the IP address
• Not using Click-to-Meet
• Clearer connection
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5. More terms…
IHETS
• Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication
System
• Provides a bridge when necessary
Bridge
• When you let IHETS schedule your
conference instead of “calling” yourself
• Required when connecting with those using Vision
Athena
Click to Meet – a short intro
http://ctm.ihets.org
A website that lists all A Green check indicates
Indiana schools and “ready to call”
locations that are certified Just select your participants
for IP conferencing Click Call Now
• Uses IHETS as a “bridge”
A call made without
Point and click scheduling scheduling resources will go
Easy to add participants thru as long as resources
(multi-point) are available.
Browser-based controls There may be times when
Does not show IP address of resources are already
registered users booked.
There is a separate handout
on using Click to Meet
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6. First steps…
Determine the location of Decide if you are going to
your conference connect to:
• Classroom • An NCCSC school
• Library • Someone else
Connect equipment If you will be connecting with
• Power Cord an NCCSC location
• Network cable • All NCCSC locations
• May require that you involved will need to make
“unplug” a computer that is some setting changes
already connected by a
blue network cable.
• Refer to the Set up handout
for instructions
• Unplug cable from the wall
Contact that
• Plug the cable provided
location(NCCSC or other) to
with the unit in the wall
port set up a time for conference
Important things to remember!
Point-to-point Multi-point
• Remote location in large • Suggest tent cards to
view and host in a PIP in identify location as well
the lower right hand as individuals
corner • Recommend setting for
• Picking up the remote voice activated(this is
will eliminate host PIP default for CTM)
• Location will be shown at • Camera moves to the
bottom of screen person speaking
• Use tent cards to identify • Recommend that you
if more than 1 person at give your name before
speaking to give the
each location camera time to focus on
you before you begin
talking
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7. Etiquette
When you/your Don’t zoom too close
location is not • No one needs to see
speaking nose hairs!
• Mute microphone Don’t fidget or multi-
• It is very sensitive task
Speak strong and No constant motion
clear • This will blur the
Avoid tapping picture
fingers, pens, etc.
Set up
Arrive early If handouts required, be
• Allow time for set up and sure remote location
test equipment have these before
Use remote to set up conference
pre-set camera views if • Posting to website for
desired download or email
Check lighting Try to wear solid, muted
Check room layout colors
Red, Yellow and Orange
• Avoid busy patterns or
loud colors
colors do not transmit • Red does not work well
clearly
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8. Additional equipment
On the ViewStation FX VCR can be used to
units record conference, but…
• Elmo can be connected • You may need signed
VCR’s can be connected permission from ALL
participants
• Allows you to show a
• Check into this before
video
your conference to allow
time to get permission
• Check with your
administrator for
guidance on this one!
Resources
Click-To-Meet tutorial
• http://www.ihets.org/progserv/video/vidconf/tutorials/ctmtutorial.pdf
IP Video Information for Classroom
Instructors
• http://www.ihets.org/progserv/video/vidconf/tutorials/instructors/ip_tutorial_instructors.html
Excellent video on conferencing etiquette
• http://www.doit.wisc.edu/Training/pte/video/media/VC1M
bps.ram
• This link uses Real Player
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9. Related websites
Remember that there may be fees on virtual field
trips and Vision Athena programs
Global Schoolhouse Classroom Conferencing
• http://www.globalschoolhouse.org/cu/
K-12 Video Conferencing
• http://neirtec.terc.edu/k12vc/
SBC Videoconferencing Adventures
• http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/vidconf/adventures.html
Vision Athena
• http://www.visionathena.k12.in.us/pub/index.html
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