Conferencing Technologies

I. Introduction

Teachers, students, administrator, and experts can now communicate, instruct, and learn even when separated by space and time. Due to the rapid development of technology, there are many types of conferencing capabilities available. The four main types of conferencing technologies are:

• Audio - the use of speaker phones, sets of speakers, or push-to-talk microphones.
• Audiographics - the use of a fax or computer to transmit visual images to support voice over phone lines. Electronic blackboards, white boards, graphics tablets may be used to transmit graphics, programs, and data.
• Video - the use of compressed or full motion video via satellite, cable, ISDN, or phone line.
• Computer - the use of computer networks to interact via e-mail, FTP (file transfer protocol), chats and forums, listservs, and desktop videoconferencing.

Conferencing is a useful tool to bring experts, collaborators, and other students into the classroom. However, the cost of equipment and software can be expensive and complicated to set up and operate. Bandwidth (which determines the speed of the flow of information through the channel) can vary from school to school. Videoconferencing requires a great deal of bandwidth in order to transmit the video and sound. At this time many schools do not have sufficient bandwidth to allow them to take advantage of the wide array of technologies available.

This module will focus on three conferencing technologies that are cost-effective and doable today in most classrooms. These three conferencing technologies are:

• Text-based chats
• Graphical chats
• Video chats

See Procedures for Use for links to examples of these three types of chats.

Reasons to Use Conferencing

• To provide equitable access to resources for special-needs students.
• To share resources, especially for scattered or rural populations.
• To deliver information on rapidly changing topics.
• To provide a virtual experience when the real experience is not feasible.
• To facilitate collaboration, information searching, problem solving, and decision making within a learning environment based on dialogue, distributed expertise, and problem solving.

Advantages of Video Conferencing

• Establishes a connection between participants - Conversation and body language can enhance communication. Interactive teaching strategies such as questioning and discussion can involve and motivate learners.
• Enables connection with external resources - Remote experts can validate understanding and provide practical examples. The real-world connection improves motivation.
• Supports use of diverse media - Graphics and photos look great on video and can help to communicate a difficult concept.
• Document sharing facilitates collaboration and feedback - Some systems allow application sharing which encourages collaboration and feedback in real-time.

II. Procedures for Use

A. Triton Chat Room (text-based chat)

B. The Palace (graphical chat)

C. CUSeeMe (video chat)

III. Resources

Look at these Web sites for information on conferencing technologies:

Comparison Chart - compares strengths, weaknesses, costs of various systems.

Global Schoolhouse - uses Internet tools and live video, to link classrooms to the world, facilitates collaborative projects and assists teachers in designing and implementing their own interactive projects.

Basic Videoconferencing in the Classroom - excellent introduction to desktop videoconferencing which demystifies some of the VC terminology.

Using Videoconferencing for Teaching - great source of information for ideas, instructions, checklists, and instructional strategies.

Planning a Videoconference - includes a lesson planning matrix, instructional strategies, and a glossary.

Desktop Videoconferencing - equipment requirement, costs.

Classroom Applications of Videoconferencing - creative ways to use videoconferencing for instruction; how to use guest speakers and experts to enhance learning.

For Future Exploration

Live Video Cameras - live video cams around the world.

IV. Conclusion

Conferencing technologies enable real-time interaction of students and teachers with experts, collaborators, and organizations all over the globe. Conferencing is often more convenient and less expensive than travel, and a wider audience can be reached. Education can truly become a classroom without walls. The major limiting factors are bandwidth, technical training, and equipment and software expenditure.

One last word of advice is to always keep in mind that conferencing takes careful planning and preparation. Guest appearances must be arranged ahead of time, equipment must be checked out, set up, and tested, and participants need to learn the basics of the technology and its use.

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Resources

Pacific Bell Education First Initiative, Videoconferencing in the Classroom and Library . [On-line].