Using Video Cell Phones for Videoconferencing

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Using Video Cell Phones for Videoconferencing

• Thomas McNeal
• Mark van t Hooft

NECC 2006, San Diego, California July 6, 2006
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Why Not Regular Videoconferencing?

• Traditional videoconferencing systems are
  expensive and not very easy to use, and therefore
  may not be accessible to many teachers.
• Cell phones are mobile and easy to use.

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Its New Technology, Not Perfect Yet

• Even though two-way videoconferencing using cell
  phones is not yet widely available, one-way video
  is and can be a valuable tool for classrooms.

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Our Project

• Modern wireless technology has drastically
  changed how we communicate. It also has the
  potential to be an educational tool for the
  classroom teacher.
• This project was created to
• Investigate videophones as an educational tool
• Reduce the barriers to videoconferencing for a
  school
• Provide a form of videoconferencing to schools
  that had none
• Demonstrate how resource sites near and far
  (museums, zoos, etc.) can be valuable tools
• Give students the opportunity to talk with local
  experts when they cannot meet face-to-face.

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Verizon Video Cell Phones

• Verizon Wireless donated 3 video cell phones with
  services
• These phones (LG VX8100) can take still pictures
  and 15- second video clips and then send them via
  email or to websites.

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Heres How Our Project Works

• The teacher and the students decide on what
  resource sites they will need more information
  from in order to enhance their studies. Sites we
  have used so far include
• Stow City Hall (major interview for unit on land
  use)
• Cleveland Museum of Natural History (interview
  with expert on dinosaurs for a unit on dinosaurs)
• Akron Zoo (interview with an expert about how
  animals take care of their young and their
  habitats)
• Farm (interview with chicken farmer for unit on
  superstructures. Students were hatching chicks)

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Roving Reporters

• Student reporters with phones visit a resource
  site such as a museum, business, or local
  political office and interview an expert.
• At this time they create video clips and pictures
  files with the videophones.

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Sending the Media

• Pictures and video can be
• Emailed
• Uploaded to sites like Flickr or youTube

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Clips and Photos

• Expert answering questions
• Demonstrations of a concept
• How-to video
• Pictures of the subject being discussed

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Follow-Up

• Students review the video clips in class as part
  of their curriculum.

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Follow-Up Phone Conference

• Next, a phone conference is arranged with the
  expert, either on the same day the clips are
  created or on a future date.
• We use the cell phones for this also!
• During the phone conference the students speak
  with an expert keeping detailed notes on the
  conversation. The students use their notes, clips
  and pictures to create multimedia reports.

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It Works!

• Its not full videoconferencing (yet) but it
  works!
• The students seem to get more out of
  conversations with experts after they have
  reviewed the clips (as opposed to just talking to
  them).

Teacher Interview
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Whats The Next Technology?

• Live video broadcasting of video using
  PocketCaster from ComVu
• Need a mobile device with video recording
  ability and a data account with your mobile
  carrier
• How it Works
• Demo Video

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What May Be Possible for Education

• Frequency 1550 (video) Location-based learning
  using cell phones, GPS, and UMTS.

Netherlands
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What May Be Possible for Education
MOOP inquiry learning, skills for gathering
information and building knowledge, creative
problem solving and interactive and cooperative
learning. Technology used Cell phones with GPS,
push to talk and tools for observation such as a
camera and audio recording.
Finland
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Links

• DVC Project http//www.dvcproject.org/
• RCET http//www.rcet.org
• Flickr http//flickr.com/learn_more.gne
• Frequency 1550 http//freq1550.waag.org/
• Packetvideo http//www.pv.com/
• PIX FLIX MESSAGING (Verizon)
  http//getitnow.vzwshop.com/index.aspx?idmessagin
  g_pixflix
• PocketCaster http//www.comvu.com/
• YouTube http//www.youtube.com

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Questions?

• Thomas McNeal
• Director, Desktop Videoconferencing Project
• tmcneal_at_kent.edu
• www.dvcproject.org
• Mark van t Hooft
• Researcher, RCET
• mvanthoo_at_kent.edu
• www.rcet.org

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The full version of this presentation can be
found athttp//www.rcet.org/ppt/NECC06_cellphon
e/NECC06_cellphone.ppt