Online Professional Development Part II Webcasting

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Online Professional Development Part
IIWebcasting Videoconferencing

• COABE Conference
• April 27, 2004

John Fleischman Outreach and Technical Assistance
Network (OTAN) Sacramento County Office of
Edducation
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Matrix of Modalities for DL
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What is a Webcast?

• Live video and audio transmitted via the Internet
• Simple definition TV via the Internet

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Webcast Advantages

• Low cost
• Uses existing resources (network/Internet)
• People can travel to central locations or view
  Webcasts at their own locations rather than
  paying for travel, etc.
• Allows for low level of interactivity
• Computer chat software
• Fax transmission

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Webcast Disadvantages

• Relies on the Network
• Can be prone to network congestion
• Requires high level of technical expertise at
  Webcast transmission site
• Requires low to mid level of technical expertise
  at receive sites
• Host (receive) sites require a fast
  network/Internet connection minimum T1
  connection recommended

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How Does a Webcast Work?

• Video and audio are captured in a studio or
  meeting room and mixed together
• Video is encoded into a computer media format
  (Windows Media Player, etc.)
• The encoded video is sent to a streaming server
• Viewing sites run the media software and connect
  to the host sites server to view the video and
  audio

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How Does a Webcast Work?

• Video and audio ?
• Switching equipment ?
• Encoder workstation ?
• Streaming server ?
• Internet ?
• Receiving site computer

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Setup for Viewing Webcast
Computer
Projector
Internet
Speakers
Chat Computer
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Communicating with Presenters

• A chat program is used by receiving sites to
  communicate with presenters
• Questions are written on index cards at receiving
  sites and entered by Chatmaster

http//chat.scoe.net
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Viewing Tips

• Set video computer screen size to 800x600
• Video will look less blocky
• Test out the Webcast feed well before the event
• Ensure you can receive a 384 Kbps transmission
  without any problems beforehand!

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Hosting your own Webcast

• Recommend fast network connection
• Calculate bandwidth requirements ahead of time
  (384 Kbps x receiving sites total bandwidth
  requirements)
• Need technical staff to monitor the Webcast
• Perform live tests ahead of time with all sites
  connected simultaneously to work out problems

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Production Tips - Computer

• Get a fast computer as your encoder workstation
• Create streams with multiple bit rates (example
  384 Kbps, 256 Kbps, 128 Kbps)
• PowerPoint presentations should be kept to no
  more than 5 lines per page with relatively large
  text

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Production Tips - Video

• Select a good location for your productions
• Use two cameras switcher, if available
• Ensure adequate lighting is available
• Use external microphones to ensure quality
  audio
• Use a scan converter for computer output
  (converts computer to video signal)

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Create a Webcast web page

• Create generic Web page for upcoming/archived
  Webcasts
• What should the Web page include?
• Test or sample video streams
• Companion PowerPoint or other files
• Technical information
• Archived Webcasts

SCOE Webcast page
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Types of Webcasts for PD

• Webcast with computer chat
• Webcast with chat and local facilitation
• Webcast with chat and video and/or DV distribution

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Webcast with Computer Chat

• Useful for
• RFP, RFA announcements
• Provision of regulatory information
• Specialty presentations
• Example

• WIA application process

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Webcast with Chat Local Facilitation

• Useful for
• In-depth training on a process or procedure
• Sharing specialist expertise with many locations
  simultaneously
• Combining direct information with local practice
  / collaboration
• Example

• EL Civics Training

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Webcast with Chat and Video and/or DV Distribution

• Useful for
• Situations where wider information distribution
  is required (training of trainers)
• Implementing a continuum of training
• Example

CAPA Assessment (testing implementation)
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What is a Videoconference?

• Real-time video and audio connection between 2 or
  more locations
• Simple definition A telephone call with
  pictures

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Levels of Videoconferencing
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Level 1 - Desktop

• It requires no more skills than using the Yellow
  Pages

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Level 1 - Desktop

• Useful for staff development where online
  presence is needed
• Relies on chat or audio
• Good shareware available

VRVS
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Level 2 Conference Room

• Its a great deal easier then herding cats

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Level 2 Conference Room

• Point-to-point
• Multipoint
• Best for professional development
• Statewide or national meetings
• Connecting with guest speakers
• Virtual field trips

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Level 2 Conference Room

• Hardware
• Polycom
• Tandberg
• Sony
• Cost
• 400 to 10,000
• Connectivity
• ISDN
• Internet Protocol (IP)

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Level 3 High Stakes

• Unfortunately it requires the expertise level of
  a jet pilot

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Research and Reference

• K-12 Videoconferencing Interactive
  Videoconferencing. A Literature Review by
  Marilyn Heath and Donald Holznagel. A Policy
  Issues Review by Kirk deFord and K. Victoria
  Dimock
• Effective Use of Desktop Videoconferencing in
  Teacher Education and Professional Development.
  NCAL TECH21 Report by Janet C. Smith

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There is one thing worse than not being able
to see, being able to see and having no
vision Helen Keller