Use online class sessions and guest speakers with conferencing
Is it impossible to bring your remote guest speakers to your classroom? Cannot conduct research collaboration on-site? Need a real time meeting? Consider bringing in your guest speakers and research partners via one of several conferencing technologies available at Duke.Choose the best solution for your needs: audio conferencing (telephone and voice over IP), web conferencing, and video conferencing.
Strategies:
Traditional telephone
Telephone conferencing is one of two audio conferencing solutions. Many of today’s business phones have the ability to conference together you and a few participants at no cost (if using a toll free access number or if your phone is a hub for all incoming calls). The operation is quite simple with no time constraints. However if you have many participants involved, you may have to contract with an outsourcing company. Going this route will incur charges – charges for the long distance tolls (if any) and for the outside conferencing service. Check with Duke’s OIT for pertinent recommendations, information and service requests.
Voice over IP (VoIP)
VoIP is the other form of audio conferencing. It uses Internet connectivity to enable audio conversations. It is accessible through your computer by using audio conferencing software (like the free Skype [link]). There are also dedicated, stand-alone VoIP phones made by companies like Cisco Systems and Polycom. Check Duke’s OIT for recommendations and services.
Web conferencing
Web Conferencing is a collected set of tool that allows two or more users to collaborate in real time over the Internet. If you need to meet to discuss - or work on electronic documents - you are encouraged to explore the possibility of using Web Conferencing.
Duke University has licensed Elluminate to provide feature-rich, cross platform Web conferencing throughout Duke. Faculty and staff of Duke University and Duke University Health System are now able to self-schedule as many meetings/sessions as they need. This service is available at no charge to Duke users and their guests. (Guests do not need NetIDs to participate in sessions.)
The service website is at: http://webconference.oit.duke.edu
Video conferencing
Video conferencing is an interactive telecommunication technology which allows two or more locations to interact simultaneously via two-way video and audio transmissions. There are two connection methods: ISDN (H.320) – a connection using digital phone lines (and incurring phone charges); and IP (H.323) - a connection utilizing the world-wide IP network. IP video conferencing has quickly become the standard for video conferencing in most higher education environments due to the fact that H.323 conferences are transmitted free using the existing IP network protocols and links. Types of video conferencing include desktop, mobile cart-based, and installed conference room systems.
Regular uses of videoconferencing at Duke include seminars, distance learning, job interviews, cross-campus meetings, depositions, medical consultations and training. Currently there are approximately 55 rooms on the Duke campus that have video conferencing capabilities. Some rooms are better equipped than others - having multiple large monitors, technical support, and installed cameras and microphones. Check your department’s IT person for availability, but it is usually fairly easy to obtain access to the nearest video conferencing facility in your area.
Of the three conferencing options, video conferencing usually has the best interactive capabilities. If there is a case where your remote guest cannot get to a video conferencing facility, you might want to try setting up a desktop videoconferencing solution on their end. All your guest will need to do is install software like Polycom’s PVX, VCON’s VPoint, Apple iChat (for Mac), or Microsoft LiveMeeting onto their computer. Connect a webcam and a microphone and they are all set to interact. For assistance and additional information, contact Duke’s OIT. And Skype might be a good option, too. Skype allows users to make telephone calls from their computer to other Skype users free of charge, or to landlines and cell phones for a fee. Additional features include instant messaging, file transfer, short message service, video conferencing and its ability to circumvent firewalls
For information on any of the three conferencing options, contact your department/college area’s IT person(s), Duke’s OIT, or DHTS (Duke Health Technology Solutions) for information on conferencing resources currently available at your department, college or at Duke.
In addition to the conferencing tools previously mentioned, Blackboard, the Learning Management System at Duke also possesses some tools that may assist you.
Blackboard’s collaboration tools
Blackboard Virtual Classroom and Chat tools allow the instructor and students to participate in real time lessons and discussions. It also provides for the viewing of class archives of previous Virtual Classroom and Chat sessions. However, Blackboard collaboration tools are limited to basic features such as website sharing, text chatting, and whiteboard. Audio and video components are not available.
Examples:
- Using a range of distance learning technologies including videoconferencing, webconferencing and more for virtual classrooms-- “A New Kind of Classrooms”
- Using webconferencing through Elluminate and other new technologies to enhance the program -- “How has the Duke Environmental Leadership Program Evolved with New Technology?”
- Using Blackboard chat feature for real-time class discussions—“Teaching from a Distance”
Tools:
- Audioconferencing
- Videoconferencing
- Elluminate
- Skype
- Some desktop conferencing software applications and instant Messenger tools:
- Polycom’s PVX
- VCON’s VPoint
- Apple iChat (for Mac)
- Microsoft LiveMeeting
