Video Conferencing and Streaming

for Distance Learning

• Welcome!• Video Conferencing and Video Streaming

• What are the applications?

• What are some of the benefits, impact on learning?

• What equipment will I typically need?

• What will it cost me?

• Bonus: other considerations…

Presentation Background

• Applications deployed by schools around the US

• All focused on use of video in the classroom

• Video conferencing and streaming

• K-8, HS, Higher Education examples

• This is a “best practices” presentation

• Solutions are eligible for federal funding (E-Rate)

Presentation Background

Video Conferencing

• What is Video Conferencing?– Two-way video communication– A way to bridge distance– A way to be in multiple places at once– A way to bring students to new adventures– A way to interact with your students and peers– A way to reduce travel– A way to promote going green– A way to reduce costs

– Let’s look at some applications…..

Traditional Teaching

Traditional Teaching

• Teacher for each physical location

• Teachers teach same students each day

• Students interact with same classmates each day

• Guest speakers must physically travel to location

• Class creativity limited to in-house supplies

• Teacher expertise limited to a single location

Remote Teaching with Video Conferencing

• Increases reach of expert teachers

• Connects geographically distant classrooms

• Reduces or eliminates unnecessary travel

• Guest speakers from anywhere in the world

• Change in routine – variety!

• Saves $$

Reference: Arkansas DOE, Mike Lar

Benefits

Field Trips

Traditional Field Trips

• Schools rely on physical transportation to move students to areas of interest

• A great deal of advance planning is required; chaperones, permission slips, liability insurance

• Costs are expensive for transportation thus limiting location choices

• Not very “Go Green” friendly

Virtual Field Trips

Benefits

• Distance is no longer a factor

• Broaden cultural exposure

• Visit new places of interest

• Museums, parks, theaters, aquariums

• Reduction in travel costs

• A greater number of events can be planned

• Reduction in liability

Reference: Becky Brownfield and IDSolutions

• Camera

• Microphone

• Codec

• IR Remote, control

• MCU, Gatekeeper

• Monitor

• High Definition system? You bet!

Equipment

• Entry level - $7,500 to $10,000

• Mid level - $10,000 to $25,000

• High level - $25,000 to $50,000

• Custom - $50,000 to ????

Costs

• Data sharing (ie: your laptop or PC)

• Multipoint conferences

• Camera – tracking, single or dual system

• Wireless or fixed microphone(s)

• Projector or monitor

• Fixed or portable (cart) system

• Ceiling or monitor based speakers

Other Considerations?

• Cisco/Tandberg

• Logitech/Lifesize

• Polycom

• Radvision

• Vidyo

Manufacturers

Video Streaming

• What is Video Streaming?– One-way video communication– A way to bridge distance– A way to be in multiple places at once– A way to bring students to new adventures– A way to broadcast messages to your students and peers– A way to reduce travel– A way to promote going green– A way to reduce costs

– Let’s look at some applications…..

Morning News and Current Events

Today’s News and Current Events

• Teachers discuss current news events

• News based on network TV or Internet

• Some use TVs in the classroom for live events

• Students engagement …questionable

Student Newscasts (Webcasts)

• Students take turns delivering the news to their fellow students via a webcast

• Better engagement through participation

• Newscast delivered throughout school to classrooms and other schools

• Teachers can expand on certain news topics and students are more likely to engage in conversations

Reference: Ridgefield Schools, Josh Smith

School Announcements

Traditional School Announcements

• Teachers waste time rounding up all the students

• Everyone waits in auditorium for announcement

• Principal delivers announcement

• Time wasted getting everyone back to classroom

School Announcements (Webcasts)

• Principal can deliver the announcement from their office through live webcast

• Students and teachers watch the announcement from the classroom using a PC and projector

• No time wasted on moving students around

• Frequency of announcements increase

• Communication accuracy improves

Reference: Glastonbury Schools, Bryan Czapla

Cable TV Distribution

Traditional TV in the Classroom

• TV in the classroom connected to a separate coax network

• Separate coax infrastructure to purchase and maintain

• Recording required a VCR (and usually help)

• Web access, PC applications and TV access over separate networks

TV over IP in the Classroom

• A PC connected to a projector provides the TV

• Teachers can use computer to seamlessly integrate live cable TV events into their classroom curriculum

• TV channels can be recorded with a single mouse click (ie: Tivo)

• Teachers can re-use recorded segments of the TV programs at a later time on-demand to help develop their own custom curriculum

Reference: Ridgefield Schools, Josh Smith

Classroom Capture, Delivery Playback

Classroom Capture, Delivery Playback

• Audio, Video and Media can be captured

• The captured material can be posted to an on-demand server for future playback

• Students can view the material on-demand

• Great for repetition and retention

• Study tool before a test

• Tool for students who do not like to raise their hands in class or need additional review time

Reference: Arkansas DOE, Mike Lar

VCR Tapes, Video On Demand

VCR Tape Service Video On Demand

• Teachers can access assets directly from PC

• Assets can be previously created or purchased

• Access from the video-on-demand server

• Assets shown on classroom TV or digital projector

Reference: Glendale Community College, Scott Kozakiewicz

Streaming – Webcasting

• Logistics lead to restrictions on who can attend special events (graduations, sports, etc.)

• Weather can impact outdoor events

• Events can be webcast live to overflow rooms and via Internet to those who could not attend

• Events can also be recorded and stored

• Events can be turned into DVDs for parents or past alumni for use in fund raising efforts

• Reference: Ridgefield Schools, Josh Smith and Meade County Schools, Jerry Pile

Streaming – Webcasting

• Encoder

• Camera/Microphone

• Decoders/Set-top Boxes

• Video-On-Demand Server

• Management and Control Portal

• Classroom PC’s and Projector

Equipment?

• Entry level - $5,000

• Mid level - $10,000 to $25,000

• High level - $25,000 to $50,000

• Custom - $50,000 and up

Costs?

• Platform – MAC or PC

• Media Formats

• Recording

• Playback (video on demand)

• User Access (Permissions)

• Reporting

• Metadata Assignment

Other Considerations?

• VBrick

• Accordent

• Video Furnace/Haivision

• VSI/Infovalue

• Viewcast

Manufacturers?

• Teachers– Record classroom sessions for absent/remote students– Improve the accuracy of communication; repetition and retention– Access on-demand content anytime from your PC to a projector– Host a virtual field trip to museums, parks, remote locations– Increase reach by live streaming to other schools, classrooms– Develop assignments that connect to video assets

• Media Specialists– Convert assets to digital format and deliver on-demand– Reduce administration for VCR tape checkout– Improve response times for asset availability– Ensure compliance with Teach and Copyright Acts

Streaming Video: Helping Faculty

Pat Cassella

VP of Marketing and East Coast Sales

pcassella@e-idsolutions.com

203-479-3506 Office

203-980-6928 Cell

ID Solutions + Contact Information

• National Video Solution Integrator• We integrate video solutions for Distance Learning• Multiple Video Conferencing and Streaming Partners