Teleconferencing : Audio and video conferencing

1. TECHNOLOGY & COMMUNICATION IN EDUCATION
ASSIGNMENT
On
TELECONFERENCING:
AUDIO & VIDEO CONFERENCING
Submitted By:
Jisha J N
Roll No: 20
Mathematics
CSI College of Education
Parassala

2. INTRODUCTION
Teleconferencing is interactive group communication through an electronic
medium. In general terms, teleconferencing can bring peopletogether under oneroof
even though they are separated by hundreds of miles. Teleconferencing was first
introduced in 1960’s with American telephone and telegraph’s picture phone. At that
time however, no demand existed for the new technology. Travel costs were
reasonable and consumers were unwilling to pay the monthly service charge for
using the picture phone, which was regarded as more of a novelty than as an actual
means for everyday communication. But things have changed in the past 10 years.
TELECONFERENCING
Teleconferencing is a generic term for linking people between two or more
locations by electronics. Teleconferencing means meeting through a
telecommunications medium. It consists of alive real time sessionbetween multiple
participants with the ability to hear and see each other as well as share data and
applications.
Definition: Teleconferencing is an aggregation of audio conferencing, video
conferencing and data conferencing andincludesmultipleparticipantsin a livereal-
time session.
To set up teleconference we require one way video and two ways audio. At
the organization site, it would be a studio with television camera and microphone
plus a telephone switchboard to receive incoming calls and a speaker system to
amplify those voices.
The voice and the picture of the instructor in the studio would be send up to a
satellite by means of an up link- a transmitter sending signal from earth to satellite.
The distribution system whether telephone line orsatellite based, could be owned by
the teleconference originator (a dedicated network) orit could be rented for one time
use (an adhoc network).
At the receiving sites there will be a downlink – a satellite dish with a decoder
to receive a signals, a display stress, such as a video projector and a telephone to

3. allow voice communication back to the original site. Trainees can ask questions by
pressing a button on the console in the recipient site, all calls are queued up
automatically and are answered.
Advantages of Teleconferencing
 Save Time: Content presented by one or many sources is received in many
places simultaneously and instantly. Travel is reduced resulting in more
productivetime. Communication is improved and meetings are moreefficient.
It adds a competitive edge that face-to-face meetings do not.
 Lower Costs: Costs (travel, meals, lodging) are reduced by keeping
employees in the office, speeding up productdevelopment cycles, improving
performance through frequent meetings with timely information.
 Accessible: Through any origination site in the world. Larger Audiences:
More peoplecan attend. The larger the audience, the lower the costperperson.
 Larger Audiences: More people can attend. The larger the audience, the
lower cost per person.
 Adaptable: Useful for business, associations, hospitals, and institutions to
discuss, inform, train, educate or present.
 Flexible: With a remote receive or transmit truck, a transmit or receive site
can be located anywhere.
 Security: Signals can be encrypted (scrambled) when it is necessary.
Encryption prevents outside viewers.
 Unity: Provides a shared sense of identity. People feel more a part of the
group more often. Individuals or groups at multiple locations can be linked
frequently.
 Timely: For time-critical information, sites can be linked quickly. An audio
or point to- point teleconference can be convened in three minutes.
 Interactive: Requires the user's active participation. It enhances personal
communication. When used well for learning, the interactivity will enhance
the learning and the teaching experience.
 Enhances productivity
 It can be used both by educational institutions and corporations for group
meeting and for instruction (tele-training).

4.  It can prove expert instructor to remote centers through teleconferencing.
 It offers uniform, quality controlled instruction to learner scattered over
many or over a large area.
 It allows learners at multiple locations to interact with the instructor and with
each other.
 It gives large number of learner’s simultaneous access to fresh and accurate
information.
 It provides in-service updating without leaving the work place.
 Ensures that the message gets through i.e. it is properly received understood
and assimilated.
 Teleconferencing is a very useful technology for telemedicine and telenursing
applications, such as diagnosis, consulting, transmission of medical images,
etc., in real time in countries
 Teleconferencing provides students with the opportunity to learn by
participating in a 2-way communication platform.
 Teachers and lecturers from all over the world can be brought to classes in
remote or otherwise isolated places.
 Students are able to explore, communicate, analyze and share information and
ideas with one another.
Disadvantages of Teleconferencing
 Initial cost of equipment’s are very high
 Difficult for complex interpersonal communication
 Socializing is less than a face-to-face meeting.
 Although costs are falling, purchasing or reusing the needed hardware and
paying the hourly rates for satellite or telephone line are still expensive.
 The complexity of the equipment involved raises many possibilities for
disruptive technical malfunctions
 True dialogue among the participants is impeded by the unfamiliar often
intimating technology.
 The audience expectation broadcast quality presentation often leads to
productions that impress but do not instruct.

5. AUDIO CONFERENCING
Audio conferencing is a telephone meeting conducted between multiple
separate callers. The type of telephone used can vary but typically an audio
conference includes attendees that use handheld wired telephones, conference
rooms, speakerphones, that can be shared by several people, or individual cellular or
mobile telephones.
An audio conference may involve only two parties or many parties involved
at the same time. Audio conferencing can beconducted either through telephone line
or the internet by using devices such as phones or computers.
Equipment for Audio conferencing
 Telephone
 Desktop units (speaker phones) for inter-office conferencing.
 Portable audio systems with tabletop microphones for a group of people in
an ordinary room environment.
 Installed audio systems in acoustically treated teleconference rooms.
Advantages of Audio Conferencing
 Record audio for future reference
 Involve more collaboration
 Easy call management
 Costeffective communication tool
 More accessible
 Save time and money
Disadvantages of Audio Conferencing
 Audio conferencing is meant for listening only. Learners cannot

6. take down notes which can be used later.
 It can restrict some learners flexibility and independence.
 Poor quality of transmission may make some low and technology
“turn off’’.
 Conversation may be affected by noise.
 Audio conferencing does not allow interactivity with large group
of participants.
 The communication only verbal.
VIDEO CONFERENCING
In telecommunication the term video conference has following meanings
1. A teleconference that include video communication.
2. Pertaining to a two way electronic communications system that permits two
or more persons in different locations to engage in the equivalent of face to
face audio and video communication.
Video conferencing technology allows two or more people at different location to
see and hear each other at the same time. In addition, it is often possible to share
computer application such as internet pages, library catalogue, documents, or
software. This rich communication technology offer new possibilities for Schools
College and libraries including formal instruction (courses, lessons, and tutoring),
connection with guest speakers’ expert, multi school project collaboration,
professional activities such as meetings and interviews and community events.
Definition: “Video conferencing in its most basic form is the transmission of the
image (video) and speech (audio) back and forth between two or more physically
separated location. Thisis accomplished through theuseof cameras, video displays,
microphones, and speakers.”
Types of Video conferencing
There are two types of video conferencing:
1. Point to point conferencing
2. Multipoint conferencing
Point to point conferencing
Its communication link between any two location. Each site sees and hears the
other sites at all times

7. Multipoint conferencing
It is a link between varieties of locations. A video conference that connect to
more than two sites through the use of a multi-point control unit, or MCU.
Participants at all sites can hear one another at all times and see the site that is
currently speaking.
Equipment for Video conferencing
 Camera: To capture and send video during video conferencing.
 Microphone: To capture and send audio during video conferencing.
 Speakers: To play the audio received during video conferencing.
 Monitor: To display the video received during video conferencing.
Advantages of Video Conferencing
 Can improve work quality
 Increase productivity
 Reduce costs
 Save money and time.
 Build relationships.
 Communicate “face to face” where it would otherwise be impossible.
 Avoid travels.
 Collaborate between teacher and learner
 Improves communication
 Groups can meet more frequently
 Critical meetings can be convened in less time
 More faculty and staff can be involved
 Student learning is impacted in several ways. That is enhances student
motivation, connects with the real world, promotes student retention and
learning, accommodates many learning styles.
Disadvantages of Video Conferencing
 The initial costofthe equipment and leasing the lines to transmit conferences
may be prohibitive.

8.  Unless a strong effort is made by the instructor, students not located with the
instructor may remain uninvolved in the course.
 If visuals, like handwritten or copied materials, are not properly prepared,
students may have a difficult time reading them.
 If the “pipe” that carries the transmission among sites is not large enough, the
students may observe “ghost images” when rapid movement occurs in “real
time”
 If the systemis notproperly configured, class members may observean audio
“echo” effect. The result is audio interference that detracts from the learning
environment.
 The absence of QOS (Quality of Service) provides virtually no guarantee of
a satisfying and successful experience
 Though the technology is improving, a successful videoconference is
dependent upon the connections and technologies at all of the participating
sites, AND the network infrastructure
 Security issues.
CONCLUSION
Teleconferencing can increase results and efficiency in a profitable way by
using limited resources. Some of the pros are easy communication at long distances,
ability ofrelaying information to mostpeopleat one go. Flying abroad foraddressing
a business partner or attending meeting is no longer necessary, thus saving time and
money. But some issues of teleconferencing are that there is no face to face contact
and service may be lacking if it is a wrong provider, and fees can be substantial. All
in all, teleconferencing helps boost business, education, medicine and more
industries. You can select a suitable type of teleconferencing to ease your
telecommunication and collaboration.
REFERENCES
 http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/T/teleconference.html
 http://www.videoconferencingadvice.com/video-conferencing-
advantagesdisadvantages. Html
 Acharya S.K., M.M. Adhikary; Communication the Process & Application
in Extension Education.

9. Questions:
1. ______means meeting through a telecommunication medium.
i) Teleconferencing
ii) Audio Conferencing
iii)Video Conferencing
iv) Computer Conferencing
Ans : Teleconferencing
2. Which is the generic term for linking people between two or more locations
by electronics?
i) Audio Conferencing
ii) Audio-graphic Conferencing
iii)Computer Conferencing
iv) Teleconferencing
Ans : Teleconferencing
3. ______video conferencing is the communication link between any two
locations?
i) Multipoint Conferencing
ii) Teleconferencing
iii)Point to point Conferencing
iv) Audio Conferencing
Ans : Point to point Conferencing
4. ______ video conferencing is a link between varieties of locations?
i) Multipoint Conferencing
ii) Teleconferencing
iii)Point to point Conferencing
iv) Audio Conferencing
Ans : Multipoint Conferencing
5. What is the expansion of QOS?
i) Quality of system
ii) Quantity of system

10. iii)Quality of service
iv) Quantity of service
Ans : Quality of service
6. Which device is used to capture and send video during video conferencing?
i) Microphone
ii) Monitor
iii)Camera
iv) Speakers
Ans : Camera
7. Which device is used to capture and send audio during video conferencing?
i) Microphone
ii) Monitor
iii)Camera
iv) Speakers
Ans : Microphone
8. Which year teleconferencing was introduced?
i) 1982
ii) 1970
iii)1960
iv) 1978
Ans : 1960
9. Which equipment used for inter-office conferencing?
i) Portable audio systems
ii) Desktop units
iii)Speakers
iv) Microphones
Ans : Desktop units
10. _______is the expansion of MCU?
i) Multiple Control Unit
ii) Multipoint ControlUnit

11. iii)Multi-port Control Unit
iv) Multi Conference Unit
Ans : Multipoint Control Unit