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E-SPEED VIDEO-CLASS:
This is our latest revolutionary
product, designed to meet the benefits of large organizations or institutions who need to
ensure faster and better quality in
· Training delivery
·
project
delivery
·
high
productivity amongst staff
· better collaboration
Video-class provides a complete simulation of a
normal meeting/classroom environment, enabling both parties to see, hear
and present material, just as if they were in the same room. Ours allows
over 10,000 users to simultaneous
ly connect to the same Video-class session, and also having capacity
to accomodate over 1,000 simultaneous sessions enabling all parties to see, hear
and present material, just as if they were in the same room.
Big Meeting/classroom.
This
rich communications technology offers new possibilities for schools, colleges,
and libraries including formal instruction (courses, lessons, and tutoring),
connection with guest speakers and experts, multi-school project collaboration,
professional activities such as meetings and interviews, and community events
(see our
examples page
for elaboration).
Placing a video call is a lot
like placing a telephone call. After you connect, you see the other person
in color video and may be able to transfer files or collaborate via
options such as document sharing or white boarding. The video frame rate
varies from 5-30 frames per second, depending on the connection, hardware,
and software. Regular broadcast TV is 30 frames per second
(fps).
Basic
Video-Class Technology
A
video-class system must have audio-visual equipment (monitor, camera,
microphone, and speaker) as well as a means of transmitting information between
sites. As you can imagine, a
broadband satellite
connection with studio-quality equipment produces an excellent full-motion
video connection, but the expense is huge. Advances in telecommunications
technologies and lower costs have sparked an interest in
compressed video
systems which transmit information via the Internet using Internet Protocols
(IP) and digital telephone networks such as ISDN. Video-Class connections
may be limited to a closed network (such as a
LAN) or may use
public networks (such as regular phone lines). Many connect via ISDN
(Integrated Services Digital Network) because it is an economical solution for
high-quality Video-Class. ISDN works over regular copper telephone lines,
transmits at a minimum of 128 Kbps per line, and provides dedicated bandwidth
for smooth audio and video (15-30 frames per second). The preferred rate for
events is at least 384 Kbps.
Internet-based connections are increasing in
popularity. IP-based video shares or competes for bandwidth with other
Internet data which may cause audio clipping or delays that result in
jerky video or slow networks. Increasing numbers of schools, libraries,
and other institutions are developing high bandwidth networks and are
experiencing good results with IP Video-Class. Many believe that the
Internet will eventually replace ISDN as the medium of choice for
Video-Class. However, for the highest quality, ISDN is still most
widely recommended.
As
an interactive communication medium, two-way video stands out in a number of
ways. First of all, it's almost like being there. The visual connection and
interaction among participants enhances understanding and helps participants
feel connected to each other. This goes a long way toward building
relationships in a way that e-mail, telephone, or online chat systems cannot,
support collaboration among traditionally isolated institutions. A
Video-Class can improve retention and appeal to a variety of learning
styles by including diverse media such as video or audio clips, graphics,
animations, computer applications. Educators and librarians from around the
country report that Video-Class technology impacts student learning in
the following ways:
Heightens
Motivation
"The
excitement of using new technology and interacting with other students or
adults increases motivation.”We have had students give up recess to do our
programs and ask 'When are we doing that fun thing again?' "Kayla Dove,
"Several
of our students gave up lunch hour to continue the dialogue and viewing!!!" James
K. Tice, Supt. in
·
Students perceive video guests
as important and are more conscious of their appearance and oral
communication. Highly innovative
·
When
students plan and implement the Video-Class, they learn important
communication and management skills.
Students see themselves on
screen and realize that is how others see them. Over the course of the
semester I have seen dress change, posture change, and poise change, all
for the positive." Paul Massmann,
Increases
Connection with the Outside World
·
When
a live visit is not possible, Video-Class makes a face-to-face visit
is possible and an ongoing relationship can take place.
·
Video-Class is usually
easier than visiting so communication can be more frequent, saving time
and resources.
·
Students have a greater
opportunity to form meaningful relationships with children or others who
may be very different from them.
·
The
richness of the communication supports the formation of relationships
between learners and mentors/role models.
"By
removing the need for either the content provider or the students to travel,
yet still providing a two-way audio AND video link, you're providing
educational opportunities for interactions that would not otherwise exist." Bruce
Betts, San Juan Capistrano Research Institute
"In terms of cost
effectiveness, a number of video conferencing systems could be placed into
schools and other
centres for the
same cost of bringing all Highland Council Secondary Guidance Teachers to
Inverness for an in-service day. " newspaper excerpt contributed by John Bruce, Highland Council, UK
Increases Depth of
Learning
·
Students learn to ask better
questions
·
Learning is from a primary
source rather than from a textbook
·
Students show more depth in
understanding
·
Necessary planning contributes
to a better learning experience.
"Videoconference lends itself to viewing multiple perspectives
on an issue and it better addresses the needs of visual learners.
Also, collaborative learning is practically automatic with Video
conference. Video conference helps set up authentic learning
situations--students are working on a real-world problem
or
project and they are communicating with real people involved in the
problem or project. This also supports the idea of authentic
assessment--you must have your information pretty accurate before you
connect with an "expert" and ask meaningful questions." Beth Bustamante, AT&T Education Advocate
"Because of the multiple camera
set up we have here, there are times that off-site guests see things
better then if they were here." Kayla Dove,
Tangible
benefits are most easily related to actual cost savings. The most obvious
quantifiable saving is the cost of the time wasted during travel,
associated travel fatigue and cost of travel. It’s easy to use; simply
open your web browser. No installation needed. It can accommodate over
1000 concurrent attendee’s in one meeting, and support over 1000
concurrent meetings.
Example
The
weekly executive board meeting held between two locations saves one
company over £25,000 a year in travel, accommodation and also 2 hours a
week of travel time for each executive. This is only one meeting out of
hundreds of weekly departmental meetings that are also held via
Video-Class.
This
does not take into account intangible benefits, which include:
-
Greatly
improved communication between remote sites both within a company and
between suppliers and customers
-
Reduced
pressure, stress and fatigue from travel
-
Shorter
product/project development times (this can be worth millions when it
reduces time to market and/or improves the quality of the product or
project)
-
Reduced time of
meetings as the principle often applies when visiting
-
Immediacy of
contact between people
-
Rapid face to
face resolution of urgent situations
-
Ability to
seize opportunities within narrow time frames
-
Faster and
better decision making
-
Increased
executive productivity
-
Broadcast of
key messages throughout the company
It
is difficult to justify on one application. However, once the capability
is in place it is used for all kinds of applications and soon becomes a
way of life in a fast moving world where the shelf life of information is
rapidly approaching zero and the cost of bad decisions can be
fatal.