Kalpanarani DashM.Phil Scholar
Department of Education Ravenshaw University, Cuttack
Under the GuidanceDr. Sudarshan Mishra, Reader
Department of Education Ravenshaw University, Cuttack
Teleconference: What it is ..?Teleconference -
The word ‘tele’ means distance. ‘conference’ means consultations, discussions.
Through teleconferencing two or more locations situated at a distance are connected so that they can hear or both see and hear each other.
Similar to telephone calls, expands discussion to more than two people.
Video conferencing transmits pictures & voices through video cameras and computer modems.
Past…..….and TodayTook birth: 47 years ago in 1964 as a vision from American
Telephone and Telegraph (AT & T) through its Picture phone device which was introduced in at the World's Fair, New York
Has become need of the hour: Internet teleconferencingbased on internet and the popular software; Skype, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, Window Live Messenger.
Features of TeleconferencingLearners/participants present at particular
time and in dispersed placesResource persons present at the same time at
the teaching end or different Teaching ends.Interactions betweenLearner – resource persons/AV materials at teaching
end(s).Learner – learner at the learner centerLearner – facilitator/materials/activities at the learner
centerLearner – learner at/between other learner centersResource person – resource person
Functions…….Education and Training:
Impart information, build attitudes, provide role models, etc Upgrade skills Share experiences Facilitate problem solving Offer counseling Supervise/conduct/guide project work Conducting interviews
Functions…Continued
Courses for professional development Remedial learning and off-hours teaching Interaction by students with scientists, experts, decision and policy makers
Benefits of Using Teleconferencing
reaches large or sparsely-populated areasprovides broader access to public meetingsgeographical barriers diminishedbroader range of ideas and points of viewsaves learner’s time and travel costsconvenient and efficientbroadens participation
IT system behind teleconferencing
personal computertelephone lines or satellite hook-upmonitor microphone webcamspeakers
Effects On Education
Education meetings can take place
Saves time, money, and energy
Different cultures can merge
Disabled students can benefit
Expensive
Drawbacks….. Poor Substitutes for Face-to-Face Meetings
Journal of Communication Studies, "Communication studies have indicated that up to 80 % of the comprehension of discussion arises through body language and eye contact, [with] only some 20 % through the words spoken." Hossein Bidgoli, in his book “Intelligent Management Support Systems” “People become less relaxed, more rigid and less open.”
High Cost Equipment cost and dial-up plans are often considered expensive
Time-consuming;For establishing technical links, identifying
sites and constituencies, and coordinating meetings.
Technical Issues Technical personnel are required to set up
and coordinate meetingsParticipants might not be comfortable
handling the equipmentFailure of Transmission System or
Connection Problem