Effective desktop videoconferencing with minimal network demands

Desktop Videoconferening (DVC) has been shown to effectively support remote tutorials, but specific video channel requirements are not known. There is a perception that higher levels of image quality will enhance the effectiveness of the tutorial, and this has implications on scarce network bandwidth. If it can be shown that low levels of image quality are not detrimental to learning opportunities, then the use of DVC will be more attractive to institutions inhibited by fear of high network demands. Limitations in current methods for assessing video channel quality are discussed, and a new scheme for tutorial content quality analysis is outlined. The scheme has been applied to data gathered from a trial involving 30 students studying for an accredited university module. The results show that increasing the quality of the video channel resulted in no measurable increase in the quality of dialogue within the tutorials. The conclusions are that low quality images are not necessarily detrimental, and therefore DVC could be endorsed more readily where bandwidth is limited

A scoping review of videoconferencing systems in higher education:Learning paradigms, opportunities, and challenges

Videoconferencing as a learning tool has been widely used among educators and learners in order to induce effective communication between learners and teachers or learners and their peers, especially when face-to-face means are not possible. Different types of videoconferencing platforms or systems have emerged for use in today’s higher education institutions. Previous research has focused on examining the potential of three different forms of videoconferencing systems: desktop videoconferencing (DVC), interactive videoconferencing (IVC), and Web videoconferencing (WVC). In this study, a review of the literature was conducted to increase the current knowledge regarding the use of these videoconferencing systems. A classification of the videoconferencing paradigms from the constructivism and cognitivism perspectives was provided. The summary of the results for these videoconferencing systems revealed specific learning opportunities, outcomes, and challenges for both learners and instructors. The results suggest that current policy and teaching strategies are not ready to provide an accessible and comprehensive learning experience in DVC and IVC. Relative to previously conducted studies regarding the use of videoconferencing in higher education, this study offers a broader consideration of relevant challenges that emerge when using certain videoconferencing systems in both learning and teaching situations

A MODEL FOR PREDICTING THE PERFORMANCE OF IP VIDEOCONFERENCING

With the incorporation of free desktop videoconferencing (DVC) software on the majority of the world's PCs, over the recent years, there has, inevitably, been considerable interest in using DVC over the Internet. The growing popularity of DVC increases the need for multimedia quality assessment. However, the task of predicting the perceived multimedia quality over the Internet Protocol (IP) networks is complicated by the fact that the audio and video streams are susceptible to unique impairments due to the unpredictable nature of IP networks, different types of task scenarios, different levels of complexity, and other related factors. To date, a standard consensus to define the IP media Quality of Service (QoS) has yet to be implemented. The thesis addresses this problem by investigating a new approach to assess the quality of audio, video, and audiovisual overall as perceived in low cost DVC systems. The main aim of the thesis is to investigate current methods used to assess the perceived IP media quality, and then propose a model which will predict the quality of audiovisual experience from prevailing network parameters. This thesis investigates the effects of various traffic conditions, such as, packet loss, jitter, and delay and other factors that may influence end user acceptance, when low cost DVC is used over the Internet. It also investigates the interaction effects between the audio and video media, and the issues involving the lip sychronisation error. The thesis provides the empirical evidence that the subjective mean opinion score (MOS) of the perceived multimedia quality is unaffected by lip synchronisation error in low cost DVC systems. The data-gathering approach that is advocated in this thesis involves both field and laboratory trials to enable the comparisons of results between classroom-based experiments and real-world environments to be made, and to provide actual real-world confirmation of the bench tests. The subjective test method was employed since it has been proven to be more robust and suitable for the research studies, as compared to objective testing techniques. The MOS results, and the number of observations obtained, have enabled a set of criteria to be established that can be used to determine the acceptable QoS for given network conditions and task scenarios. Based upon these comprehensive findings, the final contribution of the thesis is the proposal of a new adaptive architecture method that is intended to enable the performance of IP based DVC of a particular session to be predicted for a given network condition

Creative Collaboration in Higher Education: A Guide for Distance Learning Technologies

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the College of Education at Morehead State University by Christopher D. Howes on April 13, 2018

ACUTA Journal of Telecommunications in Higher Education

In This Issue The Future of the University Telephone System Two Approaches to Communications in the Desert Dual-Mode Smartphones Are Shaping the Future for VolP ADVERTORIAL: The Future of the Managed Emergency Communications System Penn State\u27s Voice Services: Roadmap to the Clouds Where Are We Now...Where Are We Going? Preparing for the Future as an ICT Professional Videoconferencing Goes Mobile President\u27s Message From the Executive Director Q&A with the CI

ACUTA Journal of Telecommunications in Higher Education

In This Issue The Future of the University Telephone System Two Approaches to Communications in the Desert Dual-Mode Smartphones Are Shaping the Future for VolP ADVERTORIAL: The Future of the Managed Emergency Communications System Penn State\u27s Voice Services: Roadmap to the Clouds Where Are We Now...Where Are We Going? Preparing for the Future as an ICT Professional Videoconferencing Goes Mobile President\u27s Message From the Executive Director Q&A with the CI

Video Conference in UTP Learning Activities

As we are in the 21st Century, several events have dramatically changed the environment of higher education In the Malaysia, and elsewhere in the world. Video conferencing has getting more attention among educators due to its effectiveness that can be used in distance education settings. Video Conferencing is a real time communication and is designed to support two-way video and audio communication between multiple locations. 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. The main objective of this final year project is to focus on developing a prototype of video confetencing which embed video and audio as well as slides in a ,single screen. The project also aims to provide a mobile application which allows users to download videos from mobile. In order to carry out the whole project successfully, a. thorough literature review has to be done. The literature review will help a lot in understanding the entire project and the current issues regarding the video conferencing concept and implementation. This project will use Dimbim, an open source software as the main platform that offers rich choice oflive and on demand video conferencing functionality. Moreover, the software can be easily integrated with Moodie, current e-learning system in UTP. As an additional feature, this project also will introduce a mobile application where user can download the video from database archive via mobile. This is another flexibility that this project will put forward. Based on the literature review and the prototype of video conferencing, the efficiency of distance learning therefore can be observed. the outcome of this project may be used by Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) as the advance learning process in campus

Towards an objective approach to the evaluation of videoconferencing

The evaluation of learning environments incorporating videoconference technology have too often relied exclusively on subjective data gathering methods. The use of these methods can cast doubt on the reliability of findings, and therefore it is important that a more objective approach can be adopted. The development and application of a new content analysis scheme is presented. It draws on the merits of previous schemes but focuses on factors which contribute to the quality of learning support by using category types readily identified within a videoconference tutorial environment. The strength of this objective approach is that data can be collected in a transparent manner within a representative educational environment. Observations arising from applying the scheme are given. Despite an element of subjectivity, the proposed scheme is thought to provide a useful tool capable of identifying the educational impact of variations within a videoconference learning environment

The telework kit: making telework a success: a guide for leaders, managers and employees

Telework, as part of flexible workplace practices, has many proven benefits including attracting and retaining valued staff and capturing productivity benefits. Understanding how telework might add value to your organisation, the right course of action when dealing with requests for telework arrangements—including consideration of compliance with workplace agreements and legislation—as well as how to balance the needs of all parties involved, will help you to realise these benefits. With this guide you can: –    understand how telework fits into the strategic intent or value proposition of your organisation –    understand the organisation-wide implications of including telework in your flexible workplace practices –    learn more about the process for implementing telework arrangements –    identify the success factors for implementation of telework –    make or assess a request to telework and review a telework agreement. Who should use this guide? –    managers implementing telework as part of your organisation’s flexible workplace practices –    employees who wish to telework –    human resources and Information Technology (IT) staff working with managers to implement telework arrangements for employees. What’s in this guide? –    an overview of telework and its benefits –    an understanding of the skills and capabilities required of managers and employees when including telework in their flexible workplace arrangements –    tools to help managers, employees and teams plan, assess, implement and review telework arrangements