Contact
First Line Support please call: HICS Service Desk: 01438 844777 or sitss.internet@lea.herts.sch.uk
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Video Conference Test Updated
If you use an e164 number you can test your connection, once you have registered with the gatekeeper, by dialling the Herts VC Test Number: 0044 03021 1001 This is a “loop back” test which will show your camera image back to you, like a mirror. Service announcements
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Useful Links
E2BN Flashmeeting Global Gateway Global Leap JANET Video Conferencing Factsheets JVCS Information
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Introduction

Schools that receive their internet connectivity through HICS -  Hertfordshire Internet and Connectivity Services – have access to advanced video conferencing services, which enable video communication with external establishments in the UK and beyond, using H323 video conferencing technology.

Separate to the HICS video conferencing services are web-based conferencing tools such as Flashmeeting (hosted by E2BN) . These work with webcams and may be a good way to get started with video-conferencing, but will not offer the same functionality as the HICS service.

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:

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How the Systems Work

Flash Meeting

What is Flashmeeting?

Flashmeeting is a simple but effective web-based video-conferencing system. It requires no software to be installed (other than Flash and your webcam drivers) and can link you with others around the world. It is provided centrally to schools that subscribe to the Hertfordshire Internet and Connectivity Services (HICS.)

• Acrobat pdf, 99kb/1 page, 01/07/2011, flashmeeting.pdf

• It was created for the Open University and is hosted for schools by E2BN.

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.

Read the report on an eTwinning project using Flashmeeting for international school communication.

• eTwinning Project 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?

If you want to be able to book your own meetings you will need to register for a Bookers account, which is paid for as part of your HICS subscription. Follow this link to request an account. Please state clearly that you want a Bookers account, and note it will take a few days to process your request.

• Request an account

Terms & Conditions

Please make sure you read the terms and conditions before you get started:

• E2BN Flashmeeting: 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.

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Video Conferencing Service Announcements

July 2011 new

If you have not used your video conferencing equipment for some time, you need to make sure it is configured to use the new Hertfordshire gatekeeper, which implemented at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year. For instructions on how to make these changes, download this helpsheet.

• Acrobat pdf, 96kb/2 pages, 04/07/2011, instr_change_new_gatekeeper.pdf

July 2011 new

First-line support for the HICS Video Conferencing services is now provided through the HICS Service Desk on 01438 844777, sitss.internet@lea.herts.sch.uk

February 2011

Please note that from Spring half-term 2011 the Hertfordshire Video Conferencing Service will be moving from  Virgin Media to Updata. This will mean that the Hertfordshire Gatekeeper service will only be available to schools that have migrated to Updata for their internet connectivity.

All video conferencing schools were contacted about this earlier in the year so that they were aware this move would be taking place. (Please note this service announcement is not relevant to Flashmeeting.)

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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.

IP address: it is now preferable not to use IP but to use E164 numbers.

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.

• Acrobat pdf, 58kb/3 pages, 06/07/2011, 104_vid_conferencing_e164.pdf

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.

For further information on JVCS, follow this link:

• www.ja.net/services/video/jvcs

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.

Use of Skype

Skype: Why it’s not possible to use it through the HGfL

Skype is a highly successful Internet service which is used in many homes to keep in contact with family and friends who may be on the other side of the world.  It allows free calls with good quality audio and very acceptable video.  All that is needed is a broadband connection and computer with a web-cam at each end.

Teachers who use it successfully from home for personal calls immediately see the potential for such a service in schools and are understandably perplexed when they find that the service is not allowed through the HGfL (Hertfordshire Grid for Learning).  There have been two principal reasons why we have denied access to this service.  The first relates to concerns over eSafety and the second to the technical nature of Skype and its impact on the HGfL service as a whole.

Although Skype is a secure service in that the transmitted data is encrypted we have not considered it safe.  Just as schools have obligations to manage which individuals are able to physically enter the school buildings to engage with children we also have similar obligations to manage who is able to engage with children on-line.  Now that we have a more differentiated approach to web filtering and many schools have signed up to the WF1 policy, which enables access to sites like YouTube and Facebook, some have asked why Skype too could not be enabled just through that filtering policy.  That is a reasonable argument but after consideration we have concluded that the technical concerns about Skype mean that we still must deny access to it through the HGfL.

Technically Skype is highly sophisticated and rather secretive.  It employs similar technology to that used by the peer-to-peer file sharing services such as Limewire and BitTorrent through which there is so much “allegedly” illegal sharing of music files and videos.  This means that Skype creates a dynamic network made up of its users’ own computers to enable its video and audio streams to travel around the world.  When, as a Skype user, you agree to its terms and conditions of service you effectively agree to allow the service to use your computer as a node on its network not just for the transmission of your call but for any other calls as well.  This may well be a small risk that is reasonable for home users to take but the context of a very large network of nearly 600 sites is very different.  If we were to allow the use of Skype on the HGfL, even if restricted to WF1 users only, the service could make use of any computers across our network.  We would not be able to measure or control this Skype traffic and so it would pose an unquantifiable risk to the performance of all the other services that run over our network.  This is a risk which, at present, we are not prepared to take and so access to Skype remains denied.

This situation may well change.  Most large corporate networks are very wary of Skype for the reasons given above but clearly Skype would like to develop the business side of its service and there may well be future developments that would allow us to change our position.  We will therefore keep access to Skype under constant review.

Chris Seviour
ICT Technical Adviser
December 2009

In place of Skype, why not consider using Flashmeeting?

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Types of Conference possible through HICS

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 endpoints in Hertfordshire
If the VC is for multiple parties schools can log into the Hertfordshire 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 (0044 03021 3333) For more information on using the MCU, please download this helpsheet

Using the Hertfordshire Video Conferencing MCU

• Acrobat pdf, 148kb/2 pages, 01/07/2011, mcu_helpsheet.pdf

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. 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. To find out more about JVCS and how to register with them, please visit this page.

• JANET Video Conferencing Service (JVCS)

Watch a video about distance learning through video conferencing

• www.vimeo,com/31114993

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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.