Bringing Your Distance Class Bringing Your Distance Class to Your Student’s Desktopto Your Student’s Desktop

Tom Farrell Tom Farrell

Wayne PauliWayne Pauli

Dakota State UniversityDakota State University

Madison, SDMadison, SD

Tom FarrellTom Farrell

Associate Professor Business and Associate Professor Business and Information SystemsInformation Systems

Been teaching distance education classes at Been teaching distance education classes at Dakota State University since 1996Dakota State University since 1996

Started web based onlyStarted web based only Pioneered encoded video at DSUPioneered encoded video at DSU First to teach live internet at DSUFirst to teach live internet at DSU

Wayne PauliWayne Pauli

Director of the Center of ExcellenceDirector of the Center of Excellence– Dakota State UniversityDakota State University

Teaches classes statewide using the South Teaches classes statewide using the South Dakota Digital Dakota Network and encoded Dakota Digital Dakota Network and encoded videovideo

In The BeginningIn The Beginning

Dakota State University began distance Dakota State University began distance delivered courses using e-mail and web site delivered courses using e-mail and web site based content delivery.based content delivery.

Depended heavily upon student reading of Depended heavily upon student reading of textbooks and asking the proper questions textbooks and asking the proper questions via e-mail or phone.via e-mail or phone.

Assignments were presented only in a Assignments were presented only in a written format and not able to be discussed.written format and not able to be discussed.

A Concept is BornA Concept is Born

A non traditional student working for South Dakota A non traditional student working for South Dakota Public Broadcasting was taking one of the web Public Broadcasting was taking one of the web based courses.based courses.

Wanted to come to campus to sit in on one of our Wanted to come to campus to sit in on one of our on campus classes.on campus classes.

Was totally intrigued with the interchange that was Was totally intrigued with the interchange that was going on in the traditional classroom vs what he going on in the traditional classroom vs what he saw as a distance student. saw as a distance student.

Sharing of TechnologiesSharing of Technologies

What if a video tape of the class sessions What if a video tape of the class sessions complete with students and questions could complete with students and questions could be encoded and placed on the Internet?be encoded and placed on the Internet?

This would be done using existing studio This would be done using existing studio technology on the DSU campus.technology on the DSU campus.

SDBP was in the infancy of using the Real SDBP was in the infancy of using the Real products and was willing to share their products and was willing to share their expertise with Dakota State.expertise with Dakota State.

Sharing Technologies (cont’d)Sharing Technologies (cont’d)

A plan was developed where a courier A plan was developed where a courier service was used between the libraries on service was used between the libraries on the campuses to shuttle tapes from the DSU the campuses to shuttle tapes from the DSU campus to the University of South Dakota campus to the University of South Dakota campus where SDBP is located.campus where SDBP is located.

The Beginning (cont’d)The Beginning (cont’d)

Once the video tapes arrived at SDBP they Once the video tapes arrived at SDBP they would encode them and place them on their would encode them and place them on their website where link was established from the website where link was established from the class website.class website.

This entire process took approximately three This entire process took approximately three days from the time of the lecture until the days from the time of the lecture until the time the encoded version was ready.time the encoded version was ready.

The Next StepThe Next Step

After two semesters of doing the class this After two semesters of doing the class this way a decision was made on the DSU way a decision was made on the DSU campus to get involved in the encoding campus to get involved in the encoding process.process.

A video capture card was purchased and A video capture card was purchased and with the use of a VCR the tapes were able with the use of a VCR the tapes were able to be encoded and placed on a website on to be encoded and placed on a website on the DSU campus. the DSU campus.

Reduced total time from days to hours.Reduced total time from days to hours.

The Next Natural StepThe Next Natural Step

The next logical step was to go from the The next logical step was to go from the encoded video concept to the live video encoded video concept to the live video presentations. presentations.

The software being used for encoding The software being used for encoding allowed for this option.allowed for this option.

First tried across campus, then expanded to First tried across campus, then expanded to off campus.off campus.

Currently used in many MSIS classes on Currently used in many MSIS classes on some undergraduate classes. some undergraduate classes.

An Instructor in the StudioAn Instructor in the Studio

Students in the classroom Students in the classroom

The Control CenterThe Control Center

The V-Tel CabinetThe V-Tel Cabinet

Our On Campus Studio CostsOur On Campus Studio Costs

Listed in the following slides is the studio Listed in the following slides is the studio equipment and its cost.equipment and its cost.

Keep in mind not all of this equipment is Keep in mind not all of this equipment is required for live Internet, but is used as a required for live Internet, but is used as a part of our live two way video and two way part of our live two way video and two way audio broadcasts.audio broadcasts.

QuantityQuantity DescriptionDescription CostCost

11 PRO Galaxy Codec - PRO Galaxy Codec - Includes (DDM card, Cable, Includes (DDM card, Cable, Kentrox 72651 Kentrox 72651

$14,801.50 $14,801.50

11 Camera Control System Camera Control System $ 7,168.00 $ 7,168.00

11 JBL Control 1 Speakers and JBL Control 1 Speakers and Pair of Brackets Pair of Brackets

$ 223.00 $ 223.00

11 Audio System Includes 24 Audio System Includes 24 Extra Mics, Cables and Extra Mics, Cables and Mixers Mixers

$ 8,893.00 $ 8,893.00

11 TV/PC Converter TV/PC Converter $ 94.49$ 94.49

11 13” TV Podium and Instructor 13” TV Podium and Instructor Stations Stations

$ 249.00 $ 249.00

QuantityQuantity DescriptionDescription CostCost

11 Sharp Projector and Ceiling Sharp Projector and Ceiling Mount Mount

$ 4,356.00 $ 4,356.00

11 Rack SystemRack System $ 814.90$ 814.90

22 VCR’sVCR’s $ 59.99 $ 59.99

11 Video Mixer for Picture in Video Mixer for Picture in PicturePicture

$ 1,079.00$ 1,079.00

11 ELMO EV-400AFELMO EV-400AF $ 1,661.81$ 1,661.81

11 Cordless TelephoneCordless Telephone $ 59.99$ 59.99

11 72” Smartboard72” Smartboard $ 1,619.00$ 1,619.00

11 Smart Smart SympoodiumSympoodium

$ 4,029.20$ 4,029.20

CablesCables $ 1,525.00$ 1,525.00

TotalTotal $46,693.87$46,693.87

Please note all of this equipment is not required to do live Internet, but rather further supports studio broadcast capabilities.

More on the Encoding MachineMore on the Encoding Machine

The system is a Pentium III 1000 and has The system is a Pentium III 1000 and has 256 mb of RAM and an 18 gig hard drive.256 mb of RAM and an 18 gig hard drive.

The computer uses an Osprey 101 Capture The computer uses an Osprey 101 Capture card that is connected directly to a VCR card that is connected directly to a VCR which becomes the mechanism for which becomes the mechanism for recording to tape, digitizing the signal for live recording to tape, digitizing the signal for live broadcasting, and storage on a hard drive broadcasting, and storage on a hard drive on the video server. on the video server.

Real Producer SoftwareReal Producer Software

Real Producer Plus7. Real Producer Plus7. The cost of the Real Producer Plus is The cost of the Real Producer Plus is

$1,999.95.  $1,999.95.   The Real Producer Plus handles the live The Real Producer Plus handles the live

Internet broadcast, the Digitized files that Internet broadcast, the Digitized files that are stored and linked for later viewing. are stored and linked for later viewing.

The same software can be used to edit the The same software can be used to edit the digitized files.digitized files.

The minimum systems requirementsThe minimum systems requirements

233MHz Intel Pentium II processor / 64MB of RAM233MHz Intel Pentium II processor / 64MB of RAM 28.8Kpbs modem (audio only)28.8Kpbs modem (audio only) 16-bit sound card and speakers16-bit sound card and speakers 65,000-color video display card set to display at 65,000-color video display card set to display at

800x600 (video)800x600 (video) Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME,

Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later, Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later, Windows XPWindows XP

IE 5.0 or laterIE 5.0 or later

The recommended systemThe recommended system requirements:requirements:

300 MHz Intel Pentium III processor or 300 MHz Intel Pentium III processor or greater greater

128MB of RAM128MB of RAM 56Kpbs modem56Kpbs modem Full Duplex sound card and speakersFull Duplex sound card and speakers 65,000-color video display card set to 65,000-color video display card set to

display at 800x600 (video)display at 800x600 (video)

Recommended (cont’d)Recommended (cont’d)

Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later, Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later, Windows XPWindows XP

IE 5.0 or laterIE 5.0 or later Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 (Workstation or Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 (Workstation or

Server), Windows XP Workstation are the Server), Windows XP Workstation are the operating systems recommended on the Intel operating systems recommended on the Intel Pentium Platform.7 In addition the Sun Sparc, the Pentium Platform.7 In addition the Sun Sparc, the IBM RS/6000 Power PC, the HP PA RISC 2.o and IBM RS/6000 Power PC, the HP PA RISC 2.o and the Alpha at all supported.the Alpha at all supported.

The Video ServerThe Video Server

Gateway 8400 Windows 2000 ServerGateway 8400 Windows 2000 Server 2 Intel Pentium III Xeon Processors2 Intel Pentium III Xeon Processors 1024 MB using 4 –256 MD modules1024 MB using 4 –256 MD modules 5 36GB Ultra 160 SCSI SCA 10K RPM Hard 5 36GB Ultra 160 SCSI SCA 10K RPM Hard

DrivesDrives RAID Level5 – Striping with ParityRAID Level5 – Striping with Parity Cost July of 2000 was about $16,0000Cost July of 2000 was about $16,0000

Student RequirementsStudent Requirements

Optimal viewing is possible using some type of a Optimal viewing is possible using some type of a broadband connection such as a cable modem.broadband connection such as a cable modem.

Students have been able to view either the Students have been able to view either the digitized lectures or the live lectures using a digitized lectures or the live lectures using a minimal 56 K modem for a dial up connection.minimal 56 K modem for a dial up connection.

The power of the computer is less important than The power of the computer is less important than the speed of the connection. the speed of the connection.

At a minimum students have reported having At a minimum students have reported having success with a lower end Pentium II computer. success with a lower end Pentium II computer.

Student Requirements for Live Student Requirements for Live ParticipationParticipation

In addition students who want to participate In addition students who want to participate while the class is being live broadcast will while the class is being live broadcast will need to have some type of other phone need to have some type of other phone connection which may well be in the form of connection which may well be in the form of an additional land line based phone or even an additional land line based phone or even a cell phone if they are using their phone a cell phone if they are using their phone line for connection to their Internet Service line for connection to their Internet Service Provider.Provider.

The Concept Goes MobileThe Concept Goes Mobile

With the successes of working from within a With the successes of working from within a studio an idea emerged of making the studio an idea emerged of making the concept mobile.concept mobile.

That is to not tie the live Internet capability That is to not tie the live Internet capability to a particular building and room.to a particular building and room.

The mobile configuration was developed.The mobile configuration was developed. Total cost about $20,000 Total cost about $20,000

Cabinet 1Cabinet 1The Production CabinetThe Production Cabinet

A drawer that is used to store the wireless A drawer that is used to store the wireless microphonesmicrophones

A drawer that contains a 7 port switcher that is A drawer that contains a 7 port switcher that is used to control video inputs used to control video inputs

Four 8 inch monitors that are used to display the Four 8 inch monitors that are used to display the final output, the input from camera 1, the input final output, the input from camera 1, the input from camera 2, and a fourth monitor that is used to from camera 2, and a fourth monitor that is used to check input from a play VCRcheck input from a play VCR

A video mixer board that is used to control what A video mixer board that is used to control what signal is being sent outsignal is being sent out

Cabinet TwoCabinet TwoThe Record CabinetThe Record Cabinet

A 1 X 10 Distribution Amp for outputA 1 X 10 Distribution Amp for output A Gateway 9500 1.066 GHZ laptop system A Gateway 9500 1.066 GHZ laptop system

with 512 mb of RAM a 40 GB hard drivewith 512 mb of RAM a 40 GB hard drive 3 VCR’s3 VCR’s Drawer space for cablesDrawer space for cables

Cabinet ThreeCabinet ThreeThe Audio CabinetThe Audio Cabinet

A play VCR for the addition of input from A play VCR for the addition of input from tapetape

Audio Mixer that will accommodate 6 Audio Mixer that will accommodate 6 microphones and has 6 additional line inputsmicrophones and has 6 additional line inputs

A radio for monitoring purposes when doing A radio for monitoring purposes when doing a dual broadcast with the local radio stationa dual broadcast with the local radio station

Drawer space for the camerasDrawer space for the cameras

The SmartboardThe Smartboard

The SMART Board is an interactive whiteboard The SMART Board is an interactive whiteboard that turns your computer and projector into a that turns your computer and projector into a powerful tool for teaching, collaborating and powerful tool for teaching, collaborating and presenting. presenting.

With a computer image projected onto the board, With a computer image projected onto the board, you can simply press on its large, touch-sensitive you can simply press on its large, touch-sensitive surface to access and control any application.surface to access and control any application.

Using a pen from the SMART Pen Tray, you can Using a pen from the SMART Pen Tray, you can work naturally at the board to take notes and work naturally at the board to take notes and highlight important information.  highlight important information.  

The SmartboardThe Smartboard

http://www.smarttech.com/

ConclusionsConclusions

Students who have been enrolled in the classes Students who have been enrolled in the classes have been most appreciative of the added have been most appreciative of the added dimension that both the digitized lectures and dimension that both the digitized lectures and live Internet broadcasts have provided. live Internet broadcasts have provided.

They find that not having to travel to a site is They find that not having to travel to a site is where they can receive the class using the more where they can receive the class using the more traditional two way video and two way audio far traditional two way video and two way audio far outweighs the disadvantages of the broadcast or outweighs the disadvantages of the broadcast or digitized lectures.. digitized lectures..

ConclusionsConclusions

Historically students who have participated in Historically students who have participated in the live Internet option will phone in at least the live Internet option will phone in at least twice during a class session to ask a question or twice during a class session to ask a question or to provide input into the class. to provide input into the class.

They certainly are able to feel more a part of the They certainly are able to feel more a part of the class environment.class environment.

Sample VideoSample Video

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