HGfL: ICT - Video Conferencing

Now is a good time to get into video conferencing. There are cheap and cheerful methods, like Flash meeting for you to dip your toe in the water. Or you can jump right in with a high end solution. Either way, you will find support from the Development Centre, through one of the recommended suppliers or through the growing user group.

Example Systems

There are a number of different systems available; their quality depends on price. These examples give an idea of cost, quality and possibilities:

Basic	Flash meeting and webcam	Cheap, cheerful and reliable - a good place to start. A good quality webcam can be purchased from £50 upwards.
Intermediate	Software (eg Polycom PVX) and webcam	Runs on fast PCs. Picture quality depends on webcam. Software and camera bundles cost around £200 upwards.
Higher	Video Phone	Like a telephone with a built in screen. Allows you to call other video phones or other intermediate and higher systems, but is only really suitable for one to one conferences. Cost around £500
Higher	All-in-one camera & monitor	A flat-panel monitor with a built in camera at the top that works independently of a PC. Better for one to one or small group. From around £1700
Top	Set-top unit eg Polycom or Aethra	Top of the range all in one solutions with frills such as ability to zoom and pan camera from remote end. Cost from around £2000 upwards. Now available with High Definition video (HD) – at a higher price!

How the Systems Work

Flash Meeting Updated

What is Flashmeeting?

With Flashmeeting you can begin video-conferencing with little or no cost to the school. It is a web based program that allows you to hold basic, secure and FREE video-conferences.

What do I need to use Flashmeeting?

All you need to get started is a web-browser with Flash 8 or higher installed, and a webcam. If your webcam doesn’t have a built in microphone, you will also need a microphone. You may even be able to use a digital camera or digital video camera as a webcam, which you may already have in school.

What can I do with Flashmeeting?

With Flashmeeting you can video-conference, use text-chat, vote and more. Because it is web-based, it means any school with a good internet connection can use it – so you can communicate with schools abroad without many of the technical issues involved with other types of video-conferencing. You can also record your meetings and watch them back. Several end-points can join the conference at one time.

Examples of Flashmeeting use in Schools

St. Luke’s School in Redbourn has been using Flashmeeting to communicate with schools in Germany and Norway. It provides an excellent way for the pupils to talk about their environments and share their experiences with children from other countries. The school also regularly ‘meets’ with children in Colnbrook School, Oxhey, using Flashmeeting.

How do I get started?

The E2BN Flashmeeting page gives you instructions, information and access to a 10 minute non-secure (open) demo meeting room. It also has a little test program that you can use to check whether you have everything in place to use Flashmeeting. If you’d like to give Flashmeeting a try and need someone to conference with, get in touch with Chris Carter at Hertfordshire Development Centre.

How do I get an Administrators Account? new

If you want to be able to book your own meetings you will need to register for an Administrators account, which is free. Follow this link to request an account.

Terms & Conditions

Software

This uses the power of your computer to run specialised video software. You link directly to the other participants rather than going through a web page. It gives better quality and more features than Flash meeting. The picture and sound quality are largely influenced by the quality of your webcam. One with a built in microphone is recommended. Examples are Polycom PVX and VCON VPoint. Software solutions are generally only suitable for individuals to conference with, not groups.

Hardware (stand alone systems)

The camera, microphone and connections all come in a standalone box that you can plug into a television or digital projector. You connect directly to other users and, if they have a similar system, interact with their camera. It is an expensive set up but improves the experience and might be worthwhile if you are going to have a dedicated room and permanent set up. This technology is suitable for larger group conferences. There are various manufacturers including Polycom and Tandberg.

If you wish to video-conference using a software or hardware solution, please contact Chris Carter at Hertfordshire Development Centre first so we can enable video-conferencing at your school.

This is not necessary for Flashmeeting.

Video Conferencing Service Announcements

2 December 2008
The new Hertfordshire Gatekeeper has now been installed but will undergo extensive testing before it comes into use in schools. Ample notice of any changes required to your systems will be posted here when the new Gatekeeper takes over from the currently implemented system

3 September 2008
Please note the Hertfordshire video conferencing test number is currently out of action due to the move from Wheathampstead to Stevenage. However, you can test your connection by dialling the e164 number 8888 (this is E2BN's Multi-point Control Unit with an automated answer system.)

Video-conferencing Mailing List

To join the video-conferencing mailing list, in order to receive announcements by email, please contact Chris Carter. This is recommended if you video-conference regularly and need to be kept informed of up-to-date service information.

Technical (Connections)

Here’s a quick guide to the different types of connection and their implications.

Web based (eg Flashmeeting): links over the world wide web. All you need is a browser and, preferably, a broadband connection.

E164 number: this is like a telephone number for Video Conferencing units. All schools have a unique E 164 number. Some VC systems have phone books that are populated with all connected users. Or you can dial in the E 164 number if you know it. To start using your E164 number, you will need to register with the Herts Gatekeeper. Info on this can be found here but please contact us for help if you need it. A Helpsheet is also available to download. Please contact us for help with this.

ISDN: this is like a digital phone line that can carry voice and data. For Video Conferencing, it can offer good quality connections but, compared with a broadband internet connection, it is usually more expensive to run and less flexible.

JVCS (JANET Video Conferencing Service):
JANET is the Joint Academic Network, and they have a video-conferencing service that is used by many content providers. Therefore if you want to use some of the available video-conferenced lessons you may be required to register with JVCS first. If you have been told you need to register with JVCS, please contact Chris Carter.

You can contact Chris Carter (Email:chris.carter@hertscc.gov.uk or Tel: 01438 843918) for more information.

The JANET website contains some useful factsheets about video conferencing technologies.

Types of Conference possible from Hertfordshire Schools

Conference with another school in Hertfordshire

Schools can call out to, and receive calls from, other Hertfordshire schools using their E164 number. To connect to a school directly both parties need to exchange their unique E164 addresses, via email or some other communication medium before being able to interconnect.

Conference with multiple schools in Hertfordshire
If the VC is for multiple parties schools can log into the Herts MCU (Multi-Point Control Unit), create a conference and then VC via the MCU’s conferencing bridge.

Access to the MCU is via E164 address (79) or via a direct IP connection (172.16.1.80).

Conference with schools within the East of England region
Schools can call directly to, or receive calls from another school in the East of England Region via E164 service or via the E2BN MCUs again via E164 (accessible on 44 or 8888).

To connect to a school directly both parties need to exchange their unique E164 addresses, via email or some other communication medium before being able to interconnect.

Conference with other schools in the UK
Schools can make outgoing calls to other UK schools via E164 number, provided that the other school is registered with a gatekeeper that is connected to the JANET Interconnect (usually via their Local Authority or Regional Broadband Consortium.) To connect to a school directly both parties need to exchange their unique E164 addresses, via email or some other communication medium before being able to interconnect.

Conference with schools abroad
Schools may be able to dial out to establishments abroad if the overseas endpoint has a public IP address that can accept incoming calls. This will depend on their local network infrastructure. Note that Herts schools will NOT be able to receive incoming calls in this way. If the overseas school is registered with a local gatekeeper and has an E164 number, public IP address or has an ISDN connection, it may be possible for the UK school to link with them using Janet Video Conferencing Service (JVCS) as a bridge, if the local network infrastructure abroad allows the connection. In this case the Herts school must first be registered with JVCS and the overseas school must be registered as a guest with JVCS for each individual conference. To register with JVCS contact Chris Carter.

Conference with other schools using the Web
Schools can make video / text / data conferences with other UK schools, overseas schools or other 3rd parties using a PC connected webcam and E2BN’s ‘Flashmeeting’ service. This basic service allows multiple endpoints to conference via their web browsers.

School to external resource (via JVCS)
Schools can make use of external educational resources delivered by video conference, using the JANET Video Conferencing Service (JVCS.) Schools that wish to use this service must first register their endpoint(s) with JVCS and pass a Quality Assurance test. Registration must be done through the Hertfordshire Local Authority (contact Chris Carter.) Once a conference is booked, JVCS call out to the school and the Service Provider, and link the endpoints together. Content providers must be approved by JVCS and set up to use their service.

Uses of Video Conferencing

Video Conferencing is an engaging and exciting technology that can add an extra dimension to teaching, by bringing the outside world in. Several schools in Hertfordshire regularly use video conferencing successfully in the classroom.

Providing tutorials for sixth formers	There are companies that will provide VC tutorials for small groups in minority subjects
Providing lessons through a consortium	Set up links with local schools in a consortium and bring the students together remotely rather than moving them around town.
Global Leap	You can also make contacts through Global Leap. It’s possible to book videoconferences with organisations like the National Portrait Gallery, Imperial War Museum and so on. www.global-leap.com
JANET Collaborate	A free service for teachers and schools to link with other establishements and for content providers such as museums etc to advertise the sessions they offer. www.janetcollaborate.ac.uk
Global Gateway	Global Gateway is a website funded by the DCSF and managed by the British Council, that helps and supports schools who wish to make partnerships with schools and colleges abroad. You can register your details and search the database for a suitable partner. Partner finding is free for schools and there is lots of information on the site to help you in your project. www.globalgateway.org
Use an Educational Content Provider who provides content to schools via videoconferencing.	These are some of the establishments that offer content through the JVCS (see below.) You will need to register with JVCS to use these services. Full list of providers HM Tower of London and Royal Armouries, Tower of London London Symphony Orchestra, St Lukes, London Museum of London, Barbican, City of London National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, London
Linking students with other local students	Develop students’ presentation and communication skills by getting them to run projects with other schools. Read Case Studies: The Valley_School Watling View School
Linking students with overseas or far-away students	Carry out projects with overseas students or with distant students in the UK.
Linking students with Universities	Sixth formers can get a taste of lectures and tutorials through video conferences with Universities.
Running collaborative events	Special lessons involving two schools arranged for you by E2BN
Multiclass	Our regional broadband consortium (E2BN) has set up a web based directory of video conference users. It’s a bit like a dating agency. You can register with your hardware and interests and the system will put you in touch with like-minded people.It is at: http://multiclass.e2bn.net
DIDA	Various applications. Maybe a diary room.

Email List

If you would like to join the videoconferencing email list, to be kept up with any video conferencing news and developments in Herts, send an email (including your name and school name) to chris.carter@hertscc.gov.uk

Contact

Video Conference Test

Email List

Useful Links

Video Conferencing

Introduction