Tag Archives: Video Conferencing

Video Conferencing Overview

The ability to learn along with students all over the world normally falls into the hands of videoconferencing technology. I will discuss the appropriate and inappropriate uses of interactive television along with which types of courses should use this technology to enlarge the amount of students that are affected by the curriculum. Then, I will briefly explain what I would believe to be an adequate videoconferencing facility.

In order to explain the concepts of philosophy, an instructor could easily talk to four sections of students at once via videoconferencing. That is an appropriate use of video conferencing, however when the material is hands-on, it makes the teaching more difficult. Even with the aid of document cameras, a three dimensional model couldn’t be explained thoroughly enough to students viewing on a television or projection screen. Kits could be given to the students to help them learn the material, but hands-on subjects demand a hands-on approach. Discussion oriented courses are great for this only if the camera is able to zoom in on the person speaking. Otherwise it is impossible to see who is talking in a mass of faces.