Teaching via videoconferencing

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Teaching via videoconferencing

• Mark Childs

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Aims of session

• Some types of technology
• Some uses of videoconferencing
• Some issues in implementation

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The ANNIE project

• Providing access to remote experts/ remote
  delivery to students
• Using various technologies
• in various teaching situations
• supporting drama, dance and theatre studies

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Various technologies

• ISDN
• IP ViewStation
• IP PC
• IP PC projection
• Two-way
• Multi-way

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ISDN sessions

• High quality video BUT
• Requires a lot of organising
• Unreliable
• In rooms unsuitable for teaching
• Couldnt run PowerPoint
• Technology not owned
• Expensive

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IP PCs projection

• weaknesses
• Low quality
• Bandwidth problems
• Required some upskilling at far end
• Permissions through firewalls

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IP PCs projection

• strengths
• Some preferred low quality of IP
• Felt empowered by
• familiar technology
• Location of technology
• Ease of use
• Low or no cost

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ISDN v IP

• ISDN no bandwidth problems
• IP no location or booking problems
• Depends on which technology other end has access
  to or wants to use
• Can mix and match using JVCS

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Room-based TCP/IP

• Had success with Polycom ViewStation
• Plug-and-play just connected to Internet port in
  studio
• High quality video and audio
• BUT firewall and bandwidth problems, could only
  use in evenings

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Room-based TCP/IP

• Some institutions connected to Access Grid
• Dedicated location means less likely to have a
  firewall problem
• High quality video and audio
• BUT only 1500 institutions connected across world

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Tutorials and vivas

• For tutorials
• just need a PC, a headset, and a webcamera
• Typified by high amounts of interaction between
  students and lecturers.
• Virtual scenography.

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Lectures and software demos

• For lectures
• also need a data projector, speakers, a digital
  video camera and a videobus
• One mode (lecturer to student) tends to dominate
• Stage design software

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Videoconferenced workshops

• Linking two sites
• Physical Performance
• Linking multiple sites
• Telematic Performance at Warwick

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Other synchronous work

• Text chat
• Audio chat
• Telephone
• SMS messaging
• Above in combination
• http//www.upstage.org.nz/

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Implementation

• Strengths
• Had involvement of a specific school
• Academics set agenda
• Few changes in working practices
• Provided a manageable and easily implemented
  technology

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Implementation

• Weaknesses
• Central services gatekeepers but not stakeholders
• No in-house technical support to continue work

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Recommendations

• Inform participants of techniques for effective
  videoconferenced teaching
• Devolve as much of the technology skills as
  possible
• Be flexible with technology and activities
• Manage expectations
• Promote internally

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Contacts

• m.childs_at_warwick.ac.uk
• http//www.warwick.ac.uk/ETS/ANNIE/
• http//www.diverse-video.net