Video conferencing allows two or more locations to connect by video and audio using technology. It allows resources to be shared between classrooms that may not otherwise experience them in person, such as virtual field trips. There is no cost to directly connect with another location like a school, but some distance learning opportunities have fees. Equipment like the Polycom Viewstation system is used, and requires connecting power and network cables. Terminology includes point-to-point calls between two sites and multi-point calls with more than two sites. Proper etiquette like muting microphones when not speaking is important for effective video conferencing.

1. Video Conferencing – IP
conferencing
Some basic information
What is video conferencing?
You are using video conferencing anytime you
use technology to connect 2 or more locations
by video and audio
Distance learning uses video conferencing
• For the 2002/03 school year, NCCSC used video
conferencing to broadcast the live rat dissection to
other NCCSC schools
• NCCSC conducted a conference with teachers in
Taiwan
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2. Why use video conferencing
Allows you to bring resources into your
classroom that you might not be able to
experience “in person”
• Virtual field trips
• Watch a presentation from a school in another
state of country
• Share a lesson with other schools
What is the cost?
To communicate directly with another
location (like a school or business) there
is not cost to connect
Many distance learning opportunities do
have a fee
• Indianapolis Zoo
• Virtual field trips
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3. Equipment
NCCSC is using Polycom Viewstation
video conferencing systems
• Purchased thru Video Distance Learning
grant
Equipment can be moved to classroom
or library for use
Will only require connecting power and
network cable
What is what?
ViewStation FX H323
• Parker, Eastwood and • Riley and Sunnyside
Technology Center • Point-to-Point only
• Join up to 3 add’n • 1 mic
connections
ViaVideo
• Can add Elmo
• Up to 4 cameras • Wilbur Wright and
Westwood
• VCR can be used
• Point-to-Point only
• 2 mics
• Uses a camera
connected to computer
• Does allow application
sharing
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4. What about CU-SeeMe?
This technology is best suited to a “chat”
situation – not class participation
• But it was a good place to start
Camera worked great for one-on-one but
not a large group
Audio worked best with
headphone/microphone
• Which did not promote classroom situations
Let’s go over some definitions
Point-to-Point Polycom
• 2 participants • Company that makes video
• Remote equipment
• Host • ViewStation FX
Multi-Point • ViaVideo
• More than 1 remote IP address
Remote • Internet Protocol
• Outside locations • The 11 digit number for a
participating website
IP-to-IP
• xxx.xxx.xxx.xx
• All website addresses
• Making a direct call using translate to a number
the IP address
• Not using Click-to-Meet
• Clearer connection
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5. More terms…
IHETS
• Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication
System
• Provides a bridge when necessary
Bridge
• When you let IHETS schedule your
conference instead of “calling” yourself
• Required when connecting with those using Vision
Athena
Click to Meet – a short intro
http://ctm.ihets.org
A website that lists all A Green check indicates
Indiana schools and “ready to call”
locations that are certified Just select your participants
for IP conferencing Click Call Now
• Uses IHETS as a “bridge”
A call made without
Point and click scheduling scheduling resources will go
Easy to add participants thru as long as resources
(multi-point) are available.
Browser-based controls There may be times when
Does not show IP address of resources are already
registered users booked.
There is a separate handout
on using Click to Meet
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6. First steps…
Determine the location of Decide if you are going to
your conference connect to:
• Classroom • An NCCSC school
• Library • Someone else
Connect equipment If you will be connecting with
• Power Cord an NCCSC location
• Network cable • All NCCSC locations
• May require that you involved will need to make
“unplug” a computer that is some setting changes
already connected by a
blue network cable.
• Refer to the Set up handout
for instructions
• Unplug cable from the wall
Contact that
• Plug the cable provided
location(NCCSC or other) to
with the unit in the wall
port set up a time for conference
Important things to remember!
Point-to-point Multi-point
• Remote location in large • Suggest tent cards to
view and host in a PIP in identify location as well
the lower right hand as individuals
corner • Recommend setting for
• Picking up the remote voice activated(this is
will eliminate host PIP default for CTM)
• Location will be shown at • Camera moves to the
bottom of screen person speaking
• Use tent cards to identify • Recommend that you
if more than 1 person at give your name before
speaking to give the
each location camera time to focus on
you before you begin
talking
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7. Etiquette
When you/your Don’t zoom too close
location is not • No one needs to see
speaking nose hairs!
• Mute microphone Don’t fidget or multi-
• It is very sensitive task
Speak strong and No constant motion
clear • This will blur the
Avoid tapping picture
fingers, pens, etc.
Set up
Arrive early If handouts required, be
• Allow time for set up and sure remote location
test equipment have these before
Use remote to set up conference
pre-set camera views if • Posting to website for
desired download or email
Check lighting Try to wear solid, muted
Check room layout colors
Red, Yellow and Orange
• Avoid busy patterns or
loud colors
colors do not transmit • Red does not work well
clearly
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8. Additional equipment
On the ViewStation FX VCR can be used to
units record conference, but…
• Elmo can be connected • You may need signed
VCR’s can be connected permission from ALL
participants
• Allows you to show a
• Check into this before
video
your conference to allow
time to get permission
• Check with your
administrator for
guidance on this one!
Resources
Click-To-Meet tutorial
• http://www.ihets.org/progserv/video/vidconf/tutorials/ctmtutorial.pdf
IP Video Information for Classroom
Instructors
• http://www.ihets.org/progserv/video/vidconf/tutorials/instructors/ip_tutorial_instructors.html
Excellent video on conferencing etiquette
• http://www.doit.wisc.edu/Training/pte/video/media/VC1M
bps.ram
• This link uses Real Player
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9. Related websites
Remember that there may be fees on virtual field
trips and Vision Athena programs
Global Schoolhouse Classroom Conferencing
• http://www.globalschoolhouse.org/cu/
K-12 Video Conferencing
• http://neirtec.terc.edu/k12vc/
SBC Videoconferencing Adventures
• http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/vidconf/adventures.html
Vision Athena
• http://www.visionathena.k12.in.us/pub/index.html
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