Comments on: VC in Every Classroom

By: Janine Lim

Janine Lim — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:08:52 +0000

Scott – the reason to keep the choice of using Skype and iChat are the schools that are using those tools that a teacher may want to connect to. Ideally a teacher could use whichever tool was needed – h323, Skype, or iChat. There’s a big community of content and collaboration in all three areas….

By: Scott Colesworthy

Scott Colesworthy — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:52:30 +0000

Oh my gosh, my skin is tingling. This vision is EXACTLY what we do today. Our service empowers every good computer (MAC or PC) to run high quality video conferencing. The only hardware you need to purchase is a USB echo cancelling speakerphone (that connects to the existing in room sound system) and a webcam. The speakerphones are $150 list and the good webcams are $100 list. Every teacher could have their own virtual meeting room and the school district shares a pool of video conference ports that every teacher has access to. Now each teacher can create a video conference whenever he or she wants. Now if this took off, yes, school districts would have to look at bandwidth capacity.

The kit you refer to would simply be the webcam and USB echo canceling speakerphone along with simple instructions on how to use the system and application ideas.

Any content on any pc in the call is available to be shared as is any web page on the internet.

We run on the PC/MAC so of course Skype and iChat can be used but our service somewhat obsoletes them. All the teacher needs to do is send a link to anyone. No need to be a member or in a directory like Skype or iChat.

I think the only thing not available yet on your wish list is a slightly higher end cameras than webcams. My guess/hope is that as USB 3.0 comes out new products will arrive in the market from companies like Logitech. A camera that is somewhat a hybrid between a webcam and a camcorder.

I would even be willing to create a consortium of sorts where school districts share a virtual pool of ports.

By: Lyle Johnson

Lyle Johnson — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:18:00 +0000

Until the funding agencies responsible for community infrastructure, realize the urgency of providing sufficient bandwidth to the most rural and remote areas, (at least in Canada) and then does something about it. .Video conferencing along with other high bandwidth applications in schools will remain to be seen as a solution only for urban centers.

By: Craig Mollerstuen

Craig Mollerstuen — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:00:11 +0000

One thing that you left out here is the need for network infrastructure and network links that support interactive video.

While many schools have the LAN, WAN, and/or Internet networks in place to support interactive video conferencing, many do not. Not all networks that support streaming video will support interactive video. (Streaming video can handle network inconsistencies because it uses buffering. Interactive video cannot buffer in the same way.)

IVC/VTC in every classroom is going to need equipment, professional development, content AND a robust network.

Cheers!

By: Discount Polycom

Discount Polycom — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:34:16 +0000

I think that getting some kind of video conferencing into classrooms are a great idea ! This allows for better interact between students and teacher and maybe even students of different classes if you don’t have a huge space that accommodates them.

Although PC cameras are still not as good as dedicated video conferencing systems, they have improved by a huge leap throughout the years.

Though you might want to invest on a better mic, because if the sound transmission is no good, the transmission will be very squeaking and blur sounding and that is a sure turn off for people in my experience.

By: MornaB

MornaB — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:41:31 +0000

How about VC over cellphone? Some phones can already do webcam work but just like a software package (ex. PVX) is needed to help computer webcams connect for VC, how about a software package for a cell phone. Many countries around the world already have cell phone infrastructure, but what would it take to help webcams talk to cell phones? VC for everyone!

By: RuthieB

RuthieB — Thu, 01 May 2008 00:14:10 +0000

Janine– Your “dream” aligns with my often repeated statement that videoconferencing will become mainstream when the user does not have to travel more than six feet to use it. I learned this lesson years ago when computers were first entering the classroom (think late 70′s / early 80′s). Back then I frequented the only “education” conferences, which were really conferences for the business sector. In one session the presenter talked about computers in the workplace. He said (in effect), “If you want your people to use computers, then they must be placed close enough to the work areas so that the user doesn’t have to walk to use them.” So when I went back to the school, my plans changed from putting computers in labs to computers in the classrooms. Yep. It worked. Videoconferencing MUST get to that same “within reach” scenario. Bandwidth is crucial. Low cost and simple to use bridging must be available. Human interaction is an essential construct of learning and videoconferencing is an incredible tool for human interaction beyond the traditional boundaries and geographies of learning. We MUST press for ubiquitous and far spread deployment to realize its full potential, I agree.

By: Danny Maas

Danny Maas — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:43:34 +0000

Great post Janine. I completely agree with your points regarding what it would take to make videoconferencing a ubiquitous classroom technology. Two points I’d like to make in response:

1) You’re dead-on about the stun server. Cathy King, Coordinator for the Alberta VC Regional Leads Network, is in Nicaragua right now leading the VC for Hope event (http://www.vcrln.ca/joomla/, http://vcofhope.wikispaces.com/) raising money and awareness to build a school for children. Yesterday afternoon she was testing the VC connection (thanks to Polycom for lending her the portable VC unit) and ran into all kinds of network issues. She was able to connect with X Meeting (through wireless no less) and they worked together with our VC tech guru “Terry D” to work through these issues. In the end, people just want what works, and works easily.

2) I’ll add to the prerequisite list – teachers who place a high priority on student collaboration, research-based learning practices, and the use of any technology to achieve these goals. A teacher viewing learning possibilities through the proper lenses will find a way to make VC happen, and those who don’t will not use the technology to its potential anyways.

And you’re right – the person who allows all our real-time video/audio technologies (H.323, SIP, iChat) play nicely together will be my hero!