Introduction - What is Video conferencing
Video conferencing is - quite simply - a vehicle for interactive communication. Like all good ideas, it is very straightforward. It enables one set of people to see and hear people in a different location. It brings the world into the classroom, enabling pupils to speak directly to their peers and to experts in other places around the world. When used effectively the technology becomes invisible and provides a powerful learning experience. Through videoconferencing, pupils improve their speaking and listening skills and their presentation skills as they work with different audiences in different locations.
Kirklees LA have provided the infrastructure to allow all schools to video conference over the broadband network. Joining the video conferencing network is free and gives schools the ability to make video conferencing calls, free of charge, to sites that use IP conferencing facilities anywhere in the world. (NB the only chargeable calls will be those to sites still utilizing ISDN rather than IP conferencing equipment, these will be charged at basic call rates).
- A Teachers Guide to Video conferencing
The West Midlands Regional Broadband Consortium , has developed two excellent online guides to video conferencing with funding from DfES and Becta . Both sites are presented in a friendly, easy going manner that concentrate on communicating ideas rather than getting bogged down in technical detail. In addition to clear text they use video clips, flash animations and interactive tools to allow readers to explore at their own pace. The content is covered in discrete segments that can be explored at your own pace and do not need to be read all at once.
The site includes a useful checklist of preparation for a video conference. - Video Conferencing using Skype
Skype provides free software to make video conferencing calls. It is straightforward to set up and is a useful tool to connect quickly to another school or even another country where a full video conferencing service has not been set up. Calls are made using the internet and can even be done in areas with quite slow internet connection speeds. The only information another user needs is your Skype account user name.
Whilst straightforward and easy to set up schools should be aware that this is not the recommended route for video conferencing as it is a public service and should your Skype account details become public knowledge then anyone in the world can contact your school. It also has the potential to allow other users to share your broadband connection therefore reducing your speed of access to the internet and INTECH are notable to guarantee the quality of service you will receive.
Getting Going with Skype. - Video conferencing using the National Educational Network (Schools Broadband)
All Kirklees Schools have access to video conferencing through the Kirklees School's Broadband. This had many advantages over using Skype in that it is provided through a managed system. This means you will be connected to other schools and educational establishments through the private national educational network, which will be a quicker service than the Internet. Unlike Skype, it does not share your broadband connection as it is not a open system, therefore you will never receive calls fromstrangers as schools and educational establishment must be registered onto the system in order to use it. This also provides quality assurance testing and technical support and the quality of service is monitored by INTECH. The registration is managed by JVCS supported by ITCAS. Once you are using Video conferencing you canalso book 'multipoint calls' through JVCS which means that you can connect to several sites at once.
Getting Going with JVCS - VC equipment
- A good web camera would be the Logitech Quickcam Pro 5000 for around £40 - £45 plus
- We also recommend the Polycom PVX software at around £85.
- E164 numbers for video conferencing
- Video conference curriculum guide
- Video conference hints and tips
- Video conference acceptable use and safety guidance
- Links to useful video conference sites
- Technical Support
- Glossary of terms
- Useful Kirklees contacts for video conferencing:
General information and curriculum issues: Eileen Torr (ITCAS) 01484 225724
Getting VC started technically and VC testing : David Fleming (ITCAS) 01484 225724
Kirklees Broadband technical support Bob Denton : INTECH help desk 860 7000 (external contact 01484 221000 )
For a simple desktop solution schools will need a good quality web camera with built in microphone and for JVCS they will also need some software.
The PVX software can be downloaded as a free 30 day trial if needed. However this will only allow short 5 minute VC calls to be made. Download
Download a simple guide to the Polycom software.
If you are going to video conference with a group in a large room, you may wish to also purchase a microphone to pick up voices. and a laptop will probably required speakers for everyone to hear the conversation.
There are VC solutions more suitable for classroom situations which cover a range of prices from about £1000. More information on the range of solutions available can be obtained from Direct Visual at Elland, which can demonstrate a range of solutions suitable for schools.
See some of the wider range of VC equipment you might consider.