Video conferencing systems allow for real-time audio and video communication between multiple locations. They have several components including cameras, displays, microphones, and speakers. They can be used in distance education to provide high quality teaching, enable collaboration, and give students access to expertise not available locally. Benefits include resembling traditional classes and cost effectiveness. Limitations include high initial costs and equipment requirements, potential student disengagement, and dependence on network infrastructure. Types of systems include desktop conferencing over the internet, ISDN conferencing using digital phone lines, and ATM conferencing over dedicated networks. Research shows people may rely more on superficial cues like likability when communicating via videoconference compared to in-person due to increased cognitive demands

1. Sultan Qaboos UniversityCollege of EducationInstruction and Learning Technologies Department__________________________________________________________________________Review of a DE Technology■Done by: Bader Mohammed Al-Wardi 68709 Abdullah Said Al-Kaabi■Submitted to: Dr. Alaa SadikDefinition of Video Conferencing System:Video Conferencing System is a set of interactive telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously. Also we can define it as the using of computer, video camera, and network such as the Internet, to conduct a live conference between two or more people. Finally, video conferencing is most basic form is the transmission of image (video) and speech (audio) back and forth between two or more physically separate locations.Video Conferencing System contains some basic components like:Cameras: to capture and send video from your local endpoint.

2. Video displays: to display video received from remote endpoints.

3. Microphones: to capture and send audio from your local endpoint.

4. Speakers: to play audio received from remote endpoints.

5. Objectives of using video Conferencing System in Distance Education: Video conferencing System is an effective tool that may be used in distance education settings. This system can be integrated into the distance education program with minimal adaptation to the curriculum and course and is designed to support two-way video and audio communication between multiple locations. We can summarize the objectives of using video conferencing in distance education as follow:Assist teacher to deliver high quality of teaching and learning.

6. Opens up possibilities for collaborative teaching and learning to make best use of resources.

7. Provide live support for students at remote sites.

8. Give access to expertise not available within the institution.

9. It can provide students from other institutions and in remote areas with access to specialist teaching and activities.

10. It can provide students with opportunities to work with their peers from other institutions and countries and t his will supports group work, collaborative and international projects.Benefits and limitations of Video Conferencing System:The Benefits of using Video Conferencing System based learning:Closely resembles traditional classroom-based education and permits learners to be active participants in the process.

11. Faculty and staff needs can be met more quickly through just-in-time training.

12. Guest lecturers can be easily integrated into the course.

13. Enables any site to be the provider of the learning activities.

14. Video conferencing system is cost-effective when you consider the traveling costs for traditional training.

15. The limitations of Video Conferencing System:

16. The initial cost of the equipment and leasing the lines to transmit conferences may be prohibitive.

17. Unless a strong effort is made by the instructor, students not located with the instructor may remain uninvolved in the course.

18. If visuals, like handwritten or copied materials, are not properly prepared, students may have a difficult time reading them.

19. If the system is not properly configured, class members may observe an audio effect. And the result is audio interference that detracts from the learning environment.

20. The absence of QOS (Quality of Service) provides virtually no guarantee of a satisfying and successful experience.

21. Though the technology is improving, a successful videoconference is dependent upon the connections and technologies at all of the participating sites like AND the network infrastructure.

22. Security issues.

23. Using Video Conferencing System to support learning: Video conferencing system can support and deliver instruction by the following points:Gives kids classes they would not normally get because of distance both semester and year long.Allows for many in service activities, department meetings and collaborations for and among staff.Utilizes one originating teacher and a facilitating teacher at each connected site.Requires the use of an originating teacher who is certified and who is given more time to prepare.Requires that students and the facilitating teacher be active participants in the learning experience.Allows for flexible scheduling that incorporates project-based instruction.Types and examples of Video Conferencing System:

24. There are three main types of video Conference System:

25. Desktop conferencing using the Internet (IP) network.

26. ISDN conferencing using special digital telephone lines.

27. ATM conferencing as in the Scottish MAN (Metropolitan Area Networks).

28. Desktop conferencing using the Internet (IP) network: This system uses the Internet to link desktop computers running video conferencing programs.The Advantages are:

29. It is cheap: You need any PC, an Internet link, cheap video camera and microphone.

30. It is accessible: you can videoconference from your own desk at any time.

31. The Disadvantages are:

32. Sound and picture are very poor quality.

33. You are dependent on an Internet connection, which can be very slow.ISDN videoconferencing:This uses digital phone lines (Integrated Services Digital Network) and special connections. The numbers (2 to 32) indicate the equivalent number of phone lines being used.

34. The Advantages are:

35. Widely available in Higher Education Institutions.

36. Ranges from ISDN2 to ISDN 32. Most HEIs which use ISDN have ISDN6.

37. ISDN6 offers reasonable quality sound and vision.

38. Often available as a portable box which can be used in any room with an ISDN connection.

39. The Disadvantages are:

40. ISDN2 is poor quality.

41. Installation and equipment can be expensive.

42. Availability is restricted to where the lines are connected.

43. ISDN line charges for use especially where ISDN6 or more is used can be high.

44. ATM Videoconferencing:

45. Makes use of the cabled MAN connections in Scottish HEIs and special technology which compresses and bundles up the signal (Asynchronous Transfer Mode).

46. The Advantages are:

47. Very high quality sound and video.

48. Fast and reliable conferencing in dedicated suites.

49. Available throughout Scottish Higher Education.

50. Free at point of use.

51. The Disadvantages are:

52. Can only be used in dedicated suites.

53. Some suites are not set up for flexible use.

54. Must be formally booked in advance and so may cause timetabling difficulties.

55. Concerns about Video Conferencing System:

56. Titles: Video Conferencing in the Field: A Heuristic Processing Model.

57. Authors: Carlos Ferran & Stephanie Watts.

58. Publisher: Management Science, vol. 54, no. 9

59. This research uses dual-process cognitive theory to describe how people process information differently when it is delivered via videoconference rather than when it is delivered face-to-face. According to this theory, relative to face-to-face communication, people in videoconferences tend to be more influenced by heuristic cues such as how likeable they perceive the speaker to be than by the quality of the arguments presented by the speaker. This is due to the higher cognitive demands that videoconferencing places on participants.

60. Resources:

61. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videoconferencing

62. http://mansci.journal.informs.org/cgi/content/abstract/54/9/1565

63. http://www.strategy-business.com/article/re00070?gko=4bedb