Polycom videoconferencing technology allows for easy and accessible distance learning and collaboration. It has lower costs than other options such as travel expenses. While the initial equipment costs are higher than external services, it has long term cost savings. The technology develops communication, collaboration, and problem solving skills. It enables student-teacher and student-student interaction in a flexible and easy to use platform. Organizational requirements include infrastructure, management applications, and security measures. It offers new capabilities for voice quality, security, and usability while allowing quick updating of course content and materials.

1. ACTION Model
Polycom Videoconferencing
 Access
 How accessible is a particular technology for learners?
It is easy to use and learners can easily access to it and improve communication and
collaboration.
 How flexible is it for a particular target group?
Video-enabled social platforms give you a new and powerful way to connect face-to-face
with people in your business and social circles. With real-time video you have richer
conversations, learn more, persuade more effectively, make better decisions faster, and
bring more firepower to any team's productivity. Polycom RealPresence Social solutions
allow you to:
o Make point-to-point and multi-point group calls in real-time through your Web
browser.
o Record meetings or video messages.
o Archive videos for others to retrieve and view asynchronously.
 Costs
 What is the cost structure of each technology?
Polycom is affordable, lower cost as you become more effective. And reduce the travel
cost.
o Easy to deploy and simple–to–use and maintain without the need for IT support
o Affordability speeds your return on investment (ROI)
o Increased productivity in any environment thanks to expanded video and audio inputs
 What is the unit cost per student?
About $4,318.99
 What are the opportunity costs vs. other technology choices?
It's more affordable than other technologies like also According to Wainhouse
Research calculations, as of mid-2009 Polycom solutions make up 41 percent of all
video conferencing units shipped–that's more than Tandberg and Cisco combined.

2.  Teaching and Learning
 What instructional approaches will best meet these needs?
Distance learning and blended learning.
 Can the content be adapted to the technology?
Yes it can be adapted to the polycom technology but it restricts the type of the
content that can be delivered so it should be mixed with other technologies.
 What skills does the technology develop?
It develops communication, collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking skills and
decision making skills.
 Interactivity and User-friendliness
 What kind of interaction does this technology enable?
Student-teacher interaction and student-student interaction.
 How easy is it to use and learn?
It is very flexible and easy to use.
 Organizational Issues
 What are the organizational requirements to provide stability and support?
Video conferencing infrastructure, management application, recording and streaming,
security and remote access, Polycom voice.
 What are the barriers to using this technology successfully within the institution?
Months may be required to enable video conferencing capability within a large
organization; this is including time required for designing the network and installing
video conferencing equipment. Initial cost of equipment is higher than if an outside
service organization were used.

3.  Novelty
 How new is the technology?
It is a new video conferencing system.
 What are its technical capabilities?
- Remarkable voice quality
- Added security
- Easy to use and install
- Cell phone dialing
- Internet dialing
- Dynamic noise reduction (DNR)
- Software upgradeable (via mini USB port)
- Expandable (EX version only)
 Speed
 How quickly can courses be created and distributed with this technology?
Educators face a continuous need to improve learning as they prepare their students
for a global workforce. By using Polycom's collaborative solutions educators are able to
offer a low-cost, high-impact way to extend the interactive learning experience.
o Extend course offerings – Offer courses to advanced learners, special needs students, faculty,
staff, parents, and community members
o Enhance and share expertise – Greatly extend the scope of your classroom by tapping into the
field of experts and professionals throughout the world
o Realize educational equity – Enable remote campuses and homebound students to take
advantage of learning opportunities thus creating educational equity
o Student Collaboration Projects – Collaborate with another class to discuss issues that are
controversial; learn about a different culture or community; participate in a student-led
discussion about a novel; offer prep classes; and much more
 How quickly can materials be changed?
It is easy way to update and change the content and course materials through this
technology.