Comments on: VC in Every Classroom http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/vc-in-every-classroom/ Experiences, curriculum thoughts, and technology rants related to educational videoconferencing. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:30:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: Discount Polycom http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/vc-in-every-classroom/#comment-23575 Discount Polycom Wed, 07 May 2008 07:34:16 +0000 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/?p=875#comment-23575 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. 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 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/vc-in-every-classroom/#comment-23503 MornaB Fri, 02 May 2008 21:41:31 +0000 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/?p=875#comment-23503 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! 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 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/vc-in-every-classroom/#comment-23472 RuthieB Thu, 01 May 2008 00:14:10 +0000 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/?p=875#comment-23472 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. 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 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/vc-in-every-classroom/#comment-23467 Danny Maas Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:43:34 +0000 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/?p=875#comment-23467 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! 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!

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