A visit to CET Videoconferencing

A visit to CET Videoconferencing

All recent trends of education agree that an educational field trip can be an integral part of the instructional program. Good field trips provide participants with first hand experience related to the topic or concept being discussed in the program. They provide unique opportunities for learning that are not available within the four walls of a classroom. Depending on this theory D. Alaa sadik with Instructional and learning department at SQU coordination video department in Educational technology center in the university to organize a visit for students who register in distance learning course to SQU videoconferencing site in main library, SQU. The visit will be after studying video and audio conferencing systems. As students register in the course, we visit the site on Monday,20/10/2008.The visit first start with orientation program of the videoconferencing system used in the university, which is Tamparg system , its components and concept of working .After that, we move to system control room to learn about its components. Then, people in charge arrange videoconference with the head of network department in the center. Finally, they tell us about the future vision in videoconferencing system. This system can provide good opportunities for SQU to exchange its experiences with other famous universities in cost-effective manner. It also can be up-to-date with other program and future trend of others.

An example of Videoconferencing System

TANDBERG as example of Videoconferencing System

It consists of:

TANDBERG PrecisionHD 1080p Camera Key Features

1. 1080p60 High Definition Camera 12X optical zoom with smooth, quiet handling
Mount upside down-camera orientation automatically detected and picture flipped

http://www.ivci.com/images/tandberg-precision-hd-1080p-camera-back.jpg



TANDBERG Telepresence/Video Conferencing Integrator Package
TANDBERG Codec C90
TANDBERG PrecisionHD 1080p camera
TANDBERG Tabletop Microphones (2x)
TANDBERG Remote Control




TANDBERG T1
TANDBERG T1 is the instant telepresence experience designed for the executive office or high-end collaboration room. Every detail is optimized to give users the highest quality forum for collaboration available. Unparalleled in quality, setting a new industry standard.

It allows your customers to walk into an executive conference room and conduct meetings as if everyone were in the same room. It's that easy. With true-to-life, 1080p quality and optimal detail to enable collaboration, they won't miss a thing...all without ever leaving the office or executive conference room.

TANDBERG Codec C90
The TANDBERG Codec C90 is the most powerful, flexible telepresence and collaboration engine available, delivering crisp, clear 1080p HD video and ultra wideband audio. With more inputs and outputs than any one box should really have, the integration possibilities are endless.


TANDBERG Centric 1700 MXP
The TANDBERG Centric 1700 MXP Personal Telepresence System features CD-quality audio, integrated High Definition camera, and 20” flat-screen monitor that seamlessly switches between your PC content and brilliant, high-definition video calls for an unprecedented level of interaction and collaboration with your entire organization.

TANDBERG Experia
Experia, the adaptive telepresence solution from TANDBERG, creates the optimal across the table visual communication experience. Quad 50” plasma screens, TANDBERG's Precision HD cameras and directional CD-quality audio combine to provide a highly interactive forum for collaboration. With the simple touch of a button, plan strategies, strengthen relationships and finalize decisions with executives from around the globe.
Experia takes telepresence to a new level by offering an added degree of flexibility and ease of use. With the simple touch of a button, plan strategies, strengthen relationships and finalize decisions with executives from around the globe.

A videoconference

(Videoteleconference) is a set of interactive telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously. It has also been called visual collaboration and is a type of groupware. It differs from videophone in that it is designed to serve a conference rather than individuals.


Technology used in VC
The core technology used in a video teleconference (VTC) system is digital compression of audio and video streams in real time. The hardware or software that performs compression is called a codec (coder/decoder).


Video conferencing can be used for:
* Recruitment interviews
* Giving evidence to Magistrates or Crown Court
* In house business presentations
* Product training for employees and clients
* Sales representations and product launches
* Design and creative assessment, project liaison
* Business to business consultancy services
* Casting for television production


The other components required for a VTC system include:
Video input: video camera or webcam
Video output: computer monitor , television or projector
Audio input: microphones
Audio output: usually loudspeakers associated with the display device or telephone
Data transfer: analog or digital telephone network, LAN or Internet


VC impact on education
* Videoconferencing provides students with the opportunity to learn by participating in a 2-way communication platform.
* Teachers and students from all over the world can be brought to classes in remote or otherwise isolated places.
* Students are able to explore, communicate, analyze and share information and ideas with one another, visit another part of the world to speak with others, ,conduct virtual field trips.
* Small schools can use this technology to pool resources and teach courses.
* Faculty member keeps in touch with class while gone for a week at a conference.
* Guest lecturer brought into a class from another institution.
* Researcher collaborates with colleagues at other institutions on a regular basis without loss of time due to travel.
* Faculty committee auditions a scholarship candidate.
* Researcher answers questions about a grant proposal from an agency or review committee.
* Student interviews with an employer in another city.
* Teleseminars: (Teleseminars are used to provide information, training, or promote or sell products to group of people interested in a particular topic. They are similar to traditional seminars, in content and purpose, but they are given over a teleconference or bridgeline rather than at a specific location).

URL

 

http://www.athabascau.ca/

this is the URL for the athabasca university

Part 1:Examples of interaction techniques in
Athabasca University

1) Learner-learner interaction
a. AUSU PEER SUPPORT OPTIONS:
i. AUSU Discussion Forums:
A great place to get in touch with other AU students. It is also a great place to read about students' experiences with AU courses, or just to talk about what interests you.
ii. Chat Room:
Allows you to talk to other AU students or student councilors in real time. AUSU Councilors often schedule chat times to be available for student questions.
iii. AUSU Student Clubs:

Allow students with similar interests to come together for support and fun. Each club has a website with information of interest to members, and a private discussion forum where most interaction takes place.

i. AUSU website:

if the students have any trouble or want to discuss with others in the same courses they could join (AUSU website). It allows students to post and view messages to the bulletin board and Study Buddy Board and to participate in the online chat and course evaluation

2) Learner-content interaction
1. Ask AU: To answer FAQ

2. Free publishing:
· AUSU News: These services tell the member information about what happens at AUSU by sending mails to students once or twice a year.

· AUSU Handbook/Planner: Available for AU undergraduate members giving them general information about the studying and learning in the AUSU



3. AUSU Advocacy: provides advocacy for all AU students in two distinct ways:
Individual Student Advocacy: this service support student if they have any concern or feedback about things such as: course problems, academic or exam fees, tutor concerns or commendations, new course suggestions, or any ideas that will improve your academic experience overall, by only email.
External, or Group Advocacy:

Part 2: Software description
The AUSU Study Buddy Program features:

1. Study Buddy is AUSU’s longest running program,
2. It's offered by students’ union.
3. It provides a secure online meeting place for students to locate others taking the same course.
4. Find online listings to locate another student in the same course, or
5. Place him/her own listing so that others can find you.
6. Users must be logged in to access the system, so will not be contacted by anyone who is not an AU student.
7. The system also stores email addresses in a database, so it won't be added to spam lists.
8. Once the student find someone s/he would like to get in touch with, simply click on their username to get the system automatically send an email to both him/her and him/her selected Study Buddy, which will allow him/her to then contact each other directly.
9. help Sharing study tips,
10. keeping each other on track, and
11. Sharing the experience of being part of a study group.

N.B. to enter the previous services you must be a member in the AUSU community

Resources:


http://www.ausu.org/services/peer.php
http://www.ausu.org/forums/index.php
http://www.ausu.org/services/scholarships.php
http://www.ausu.org/services/publications.php
http://www.ausu.org/advocacy/index.php
http://www.ausu.org/services/studybuddy.phphttp://www.ausu.org/clubs/index.php

Posted by:

Aysha AL-Shuailia 67060

Karima Al-Syabi 65932