Videoconference

Videoconference

Educational Technology of

Computer Science

2004

19.3.2004 JOY/ Sirpa Torvinen 2

Outline

What? Why? Equipments needed? Preparations before the conference Videoconference in action Exercise for today


What is a videoconference?

real-time discussions via the network connections (IP/ISDN) with picture AND sound connections between at least two participants

– e.g. virtual meetings, seminars, distance lectures, supervising etc.


Why to use a videoconference?

cheap to organize– low costs, no need to travel, ”stressless”

reasonable to combine the resources– same information into the several places

simultaneuosly benefits comparing to teleconferences

– documents, shared presentations, pictures, you will see who is speaking etc.


Ways to organize (1/2)

between two participants– one or the other is calling– partners will see each other (own side in a little

window and the opposite side in a bigger window)


Ways to organize (2/2)?

between several participants (more than two)– MCU (Multi-Cast Unit) is needed– participants are calling for the MCU or MCU will

call for all of the participants (usually)– all of the participants will see

own side in a little window and the one who is speaking in a bigger window

or they will see all partners in small windows (e.g. four little windows)


Technical requirements

IP or ISDN network connection Gateway is needed, if both IP and ISDN

equipments are participating into the conference

MCU is needed, if more than two participants


What is needed (1/4) ?

the minimum requirements (IP):– a computer (and the software)– a web camera– a pair of headphones and microphone

benefits: cheap



better solution (IP):– a computer– a hardware: included a microphone, a camera

and the software benefits:

– better picture– excellent sound



Transferrable equipments (IP / ISDN)– independent– TV or videoprojector

benefits: – easy to use– reliable



Fixed installation– independent– usually videoprojector / TV / plasmadisplay– monitoring displays– control panels– several cameras

benefits: high-quality disadvantages: expencive


It depends on...

how often do you need the videoconference? how many participants? what kind of quality needed? what are you doing during the

videoconference? meetings, discussing? share the files and / or presentations, and discuss based

on them? teaching situations, showing demos? etc.


Before a videoconference just remember...

to book– the room and the equipments– the time of MCU

to check the numbers – IP, gatekeeper, phone numbers– who is calling to whom?


….. and remember also

to test the connections in advance – at latest on the previous day

to ensure the availability of technical support – at least the phone number to her/him

to fit the exact time schedule with the participants


….. and remember

to prepare all the materials needed to plan the agenda during the conference

(e.g. the pauses) to plan the ”emergency” plan

– another room / equipments– teleconference equipments– mobile conference


…. and remember

to check the functionallity of the videoconference equipments

to test all of the equipments needed during the confefence– document camera– PC and softwares needed– loadspeakers etc.


Videoconference in action (1/2)

speak in a clear way – peacefully and slowly enough

don’t walk around!!!! microphone has to be in the mute position

when you are not speaking!!! – reduce the interfences


Videoconference in action (2/2)

take care of the colours and lights – avoid dark colours

take care of the use of camera– don’t zoom all the time– don’t move the picture all the time from point

to point – zoom always to the speaker when (s)he is

speaking


Videoconference in abstract IP or ISDN equipments

– IP -number or telephone number Phonenumber for

– other participants– technical support

Time schedule Softwares and equipments needed Testing at latest on the day before


Scheme for the typical videoconference

greetings and short presentations – only speakers will be presented

schedule of the conference– what is going to be happend– is there any pauses etc.

presentations questions and discussions thanks and disconnect


Acknowledgements

This presentation is based to the Finnish presentation made by Mika Surakka, Educational Technology Centre

Documents

Videoconference