Connect Anywhere for Engaging Learning Experiences

Distance learning using video conferencing equipment has become popular throughout the state of Michigan thanks to Two Way Interactive Connections in Education (TWICE), a state-wide organization which promotes the use of distance learning at the K-12 level.

Through distance learning, students and teachers have experienced a new way to connect to people and places around the world. As ever-improving technology allows for the transmission of video and sound over the Internet, distance learning has become both more affordable and more effective.

TWICE

The TWICE website was created by Michigan educators dedicated to promoting and supporting collaborative connections using two way interactive video for the benefit of Michigan students. It is a valuable resource for information on distance learning field trips, shared classes, professional development, collaborative projects and technical issues. This site also includes a link to the Berrien RESA Videoconference Database and information on how to find content providers.

One of the well known and highly regarded projects of TWICE is the videoconferencing celebration of Read Around the Planet. This project occurs annually in early March in various participating classrooms all around the world. It pairs up students from one school with students from another school for a planned, shared reading activity via interactive video. Student presentations have included book readings, book reports, skits, poetry readings, student-penned plays, raps, etc. Some classes have even established ongoing collaborative relationships by becoming penpals or e-pals.

Collaborative projects are a popular increasing use of videoconferencing, the “third wave” of videoconferencing (see this report). TWICE provides and links to several resources for supporting collaborative projects between schools. Visit the TWICE Projects page for links to sample projects, training materials for collaborative projects, and a link to Collaborations Around the Planet, a portal for collaborative videoconference projects.

The Knowledge Network Explorer (previously PacBell) is another valuable resource. The Videoconferencing Adventures page is a long list of content providers and a short description of what they provide. They also have a national distance learning listserv perfect for finding new programs and making connections between schools. Register your videoconferencing site and search the listing of schools and organizations with videoconferencing all over the world.

The Zone Series (scroll down to the Videoconferencing Zone) contains an entertaining video on the do’s and don'ts of videoconferencing.

Equipment Needs

Setting up videoconferencing in your school requires at a minimum a camera, a codec, a microphone, a monitor, and a method of connecting. The codec is the set of algorithms for compressing and decompressing the video and audio signals. Polycom and Tandberg, two popular makers of videoconferencing equipment, offer units that include the camera, codec, and microphone in an all in one unit that can be mounted on a monitor or hooked up to a data projector.

Basic Requirements for Successful Videoconferencing

The ViDe Videoconferencing Cookbook contains detailed information on each component required and comparisons of various equipment options.
Two methods of connecting videoconferencing units are:

1. IP or H.323 over your Internet connection
2. ISDN or H.320 dedicated lines

IP is the most common method of connecting to schools and content providers, however there are a few places that still use ISDN. ISDN is an expensive way to connect because of the monthly fees and per connection fees. If needed, check with your local educational service agency to see if they can give you ISDN connectivity. Most schools are now installing H.323 units only and focusing on classroom-to-classroom projects with other H.323 sites around the U.S. An important issue to consider with H.323 is available bandwidth on your network. Most H.323 connections require 384K, so you need at least a T-1 line to effectively utilize H.323. Read Network Fundamentals for the Videoconference for a basic overview of how H.323 videoconferencing is affected by the quality of your network.

The Guide for Selecting and Testing a Videoconference System covers specific considerations for videoconferencing in K-12 situations.