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Video Conferencing- Hernandez, Davis

Page history last edited by hernan23@nevada.unlv.edu 15 years ago

VIDEO CONFERENCING

By Maria Hernandez & Bethany Davis

History of Video Conferencing:

The earliest form of video conferencing goes all the way back to the 1960's. AT&T introduced it as the Picturephone at the World's Fair in New York. It never became popular and was too expensive for practical use. Commercial use of video conferencing wasn't realized until about the 1970's when it was demonstrated as the first trans-Atlantic video telelphone call. Soon after other commerical companies invested and refined video conferencing.

In the early 1980's digital telephony became possible. Throughout the 1990's video conferencing evolved from expensive equipment used by major companies to standard based technology that could be used by the general public. Finally in the 1990's IP (Internet Protocol) based video conferencing became possible. More efficient video technologies were developed which allowed desktop or personal comptuers based video conferencing.

In 1992 CU-SeeMe was developed at Cornell by Tim Dorcey. It arrived to the masses as free services. Some of these type of software are NetMeeting, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, SightSpeed, and Skype.

What is Video Conferencing?

Video conferencing technology connects two or more people at different locations so that they can communicate, interact, and share information. This connection is accomplished through audio and video links which enable face-to-face and voice-to-voice communication. Connections are made using specialized equipment and those connections are carried over wiring using the Internet, satellite connections, or microwave signals.

The locations of videoconferencing units, and people using them, can be as close as the room next door, or as far away as a continent on the other side of the world. These digital connections allow live communication across vast distances. The technology enables people to see and hear each other at the same time and carry on a conversation with full motion and sound. Additionally, it is possible to share computer applications for collaboration and make changes or edits in real time.

Video Conference options: In all cases their setup is extremely simple and can be completed in a matter of clicks. The quality of the video when using these tools can vary a great deal, but it generally is most influenced by two factors:

The quality of your webcam
The speed /bandwidth of your Internet connection.

To easily select which video conferencing tools would best match your specific needs you can select from the following key features:

Streaming feeds number: Shows how many cameras can stream simultaneously

Text-chat: Integrates a text-chat feature for you to send written messages to other participants

File transfer: Allows you to send files to other people in the meeting

Session Recording: Lets you record all of the video feeds and audios

Web-based: Determines whether you need to download a software client in order to use the service

Most popular tools used:

Adobe Connect Now is part of the new Acrobat.com of online collaboration tools. This one lets you create online meetings where you can do videoconferencing, VoIP conversations, whiteboard, share files, chat, and share your screen. You can change a person's role at anytime, and move the activity pods as you wish during the meeting. The service is free to use, as the rest of the suite, after a simple registration.

http://www.acrobat.com

PalBee.com is a video conferencing system, that has just launched a new version of the product. It lets you set up video meetings with up to 10 people, who can all whiteboard, upload PowerPoint presentations, record for one hour anything that happens in the conference and publish it as a video on YouTube. The service is completely free to use.

http://www.palbee.com/

Skype is a VoIP and video conferencing service that you can use to have one-to-one video calls. You can text-chat (also in group mode), have audio/video calls, transfer files and more. Video calls are limited to two people, but many are the third-party software that let you add more people, and also record your conferencing sessions. Free to use. http://www.skype.com

Sign up for SKYPE

Go to Skype.com

Click the Download Tab

Click the type of operating system you have

Click Download Now

SKYPE will walk you through the rest

How To Video Conference:

Don't know how to Video Conference? This video will explain it all.

Why Video Conferencing:

Videoconferencing provides students and teachers with the opportunity to expand teaching and learning possibilities. With emerging technologies, schools have the opportunity to tap resources around the world

Students using videoconferencing will have experiences:

Learning in an emerging technological environment that prepares students with real world communication skills
Utilizing world-wide resources including experts, professionals, remote institutional resources, and other students
Broadening the scope of learning resources
Functioning in a global climate

Impact on student learning:

New technologies open opportunities for student learning and this communication tool offers students unique possibilities for accessing information.
The video system adds the combination of visual and auditory information that puts the collaborators in an experience that closes the distance gap and helps the participants feel connected to each other.
These activities, using videoconferencing, build relationships and encourage active learning.
Collaboration using this two way technology makes the experience almost like being there.

Impacts include:

Enhanced motivation
Improved communication and presentation skills
Increased connection with outside resources
Effective learning environments
Expanded teaching capabilities
Links to people from different social, cultural, and economic backgrounds

How can Video Conferencing be used in the classroom?

Courses, Lessons, and Tutoring
1. Students take classes not offered at their school, such as advanced honors, foreign language, or music courses.
Virtual Field Trips
1. Students watch a play performed at a remote site followed by interaction with the actors.
Multi School Projects
1. Students communicate with "video pals" to experience diverse cultures and ways of life, both economic and ethnic. Video pals also provide an excellent opportunity for foreign language practice.