Types of Network
Network Reach Typical Bandwidth Comments
ISDN Point to Point
Dial up
128 kbs – 384 kbs + Costs!
Predictable Bandwidth
LAN (Local Area Network)
Within a school 10 Mbs Internal only
Free*
WAN (Wide Area Network)
Across a number of centres or school
2 Mbs – 100Mbs + Predictable Bandwidth
Free*
Internet Worldwide 56 kbs – 1Gbs + Unpredictable Bandwidth
Free*
Advantages of IP Conferencing
• Low Cost
• Potentially higher quality calls • Multiple End Points
• Variety of locations in a school
• Variety of endpoints
• Links to conferencing applications
South West Grid for Learning
Internet
• National E164 Numbering Scheme
• Scheduling and Management System• Directories• Bandwidth Management• Call Establishment
• Multipoint Conferencing
• Gatekeeper Services
• ISDN Gateway
SWGfL Videoconferencing Support
International
Prefix
Local /
Regional
Prefix
Category Organisation ID. End-Point ID
0044 02xxx
(5 digits)
1 digit 4 digits 3 digits
ISDN Sites
SWGfL
Internet
Video Conferencing – Applications
• Professional Development
• Foundation Curriculum
• Lesson Observation – Numeracy
• KS3 Literacy
Anne Frank House
Robben Island
Holocaust Day – January 27, 2003
Video Conferencing – Applications
• Professional Development
• “Punching holes in classroom walls”
• School to School collaboration
• Sharing cultural differences
• Meeting with experts
• Communicating across boarders
Video Conferencing – Applications
• Professional Development
• “Punching holes in classroom walls”• School to school communication• Sharing cultural differences• Meeting with experts• Communicating across boarders
• Shared teaching and externally provided courses
Video Conferencing – Applications
• Professional Development
• “Punching holes in classroom walls”• School to school communication• Sharing cultural differences• Meeting with experts• Communicating across borders
• Shared teaching and externally provided courses
• Administration
Video Conferencing – The Future
• Anywhere – Anytime Conferencing
• Used by Classes, Groups and Individuals
• Supporting the 14 – 19 Curriculum
• Supporting CPD
• Developing use for Administration
Video Conferencing – The Future
• The future is IP based
• Use of Wide Range of Devices
• Integration with other tools:• MLEs• Presentation Software• Scheduling and Management Systems• Video and Audio Editing• Interactive Whiteboards
VideoconferencingPractical Considerations
Audio
85 per cent of the information disseminated in a video conference is delivered aurally, so getting the audio right is a high priority.
• Consider the choice of room
• Switch off any heaters or air-conditioning systems
• The room should be as undisturbed as possible by external noise
• Know how to MUTE your system
VideoconferencingPractical Considerations
Lighting
It is not normally necessary to bring in specialist lighting. In practice, if a room is to be used regularly, it is better to cut out natural lighting and use artificial lighting, over which you have control.
Lighting should fall on the faces of those taking part in the conference to give a good picture to the far-end.
Don't sit in front of a window - this will produce good silhouettes but will mask the detail of faces.
Turn off any computer screens that are in view.
Avoid cluttered backgrounds. A single-colour background, perhaps with a sign or logo to identify the school, is better than lots of pictures, work or posters.
VideoconferencingPractical Considerations
Room Layout
Ensure that all those taking part are in the camera shot.
Ensure that those speaking can be clearly identified.If numbers involved are small, aim for a 'head and shoulders' shot of the participants.
If numbers are large, it may be necessary to move those contributing nearer to the camera and microphone for parts of the conference - however, aim to keep movement to a minimum.
Ensure that all those taking part can see the screen.
The camera should be positioned close above or below the screen and presenters should look directly at the camera so it appears to those watching at the far-end that they are looking directly at them.
New Edition Available January 2004