Videoconferencing System in SQU

Using of technology is developing in SQU especially in the communication field with other institutions or universities. One of the techniques that are used in the university is videoconferencing. The videoconferencing hall locates on the main library in the second floor. The system of videoconferencing used is TANDBERG.
The videoconferencing includes important components in which each one integrates with the other to accomplish the function of videoconferencing. These components are:
§ Unit control.
§ Plasma.
§ Camera.
§ PC.
§ Document camera.
§ VCR.
§ AUX camera
To make successful conferencing throw video, the experts customize special room to be as a control room. This control room consists of the following components:
§ Codec: It is connected to the cameras and the remote control.
§ DVD: It includes hard desk.
§ Network: It connects the laptops which are in the hall and used by the learners.

This videoconferencing uses telephone lines or through internet (SDN) and it works depending on the IP address. If you want to make conferencing with certain institution, you should have their IP and the same about them, they should have your IP address. To start working you should inter username and password.
Actually, the videoconferencing hall is provided also with a smart board and LCD. So, it can be used for distance education.

TANDBERG Videoconferencing System

TANDBERG systems deliver unparalleled quality, reliability and ease-of-use videoconferencing. The customers’ are provided with one hardware platform, one software platform and one remote control so that operating the systems is as easy as possible. The TANDBERG standards-based platform also ensures complete interoperability for a higher return on investment. TANDBERG delivers a high-performance product line for all your video communication needs. Each product is designed for simplicity, quality and value.
TANDBERG Advantages:
· Audio quality: TANDBERG is the only vendor to offer STANDARDS BASED CD-quality audio at 20 kHz. TANDBERG's audio quality can support client needs to integrate true CD-quality multimedia into video communication.
· H.239: a new standard that allows for sending multiple video streams from one endpoint to another. TANDBERG's implementation of this standard into the new MXP line allows for sending ANY combination of video streams (e.g. main camera plus document camera, or main camera and a DVD-player or PC for multimedia presentations).
· Multipoint capabilities: TANDBERG's new MXP products support 6 external video sites and 5 external audio sites through the embedded MCU feature called MultiSite. TANDBERG MultiSite also offers rate matching, transcoding and downspeeding to enable the best possible quality for each participant. By cascading MultiSite endpoints, TANDBERG can support up to 56 endpoints.
· API: TANDBERG now offers far greater API support for integrators and in addition to Telnet and serialport, also includes XML and SOAP. Furthermore, TANDBERG endpoints can be controlled securely by using XML over HTTPS.
· Codec: TANDBERG's 6000 MXP codec is the most flexible and powerful solution available in the market today for systems integrators, offering digital audio and video interfaces (S/PDIF and DVI) in addition to the traditional analog interfaces.
· SIP: All of TANDBERG's products are SIP-ready for future investment protection.
TANDBERG Features:
· Simplicity:
o All TANDBERG systems share the same intuitive interface and features.
o When you know how to use one TANDBERG system, you know how to use them all.
· One Software Platform:
o Simplifies installation, upgrades and expansion for a strong return on investment.
· Clear, State-of-the-art Audio and Video:
o TANDBERG Natural Audio Module 11 delivers unparalleled sound quality.
o TANDBERG Wide Angle View Camera ensures all participants are seen clearly.
o Intelligent Call Management delivers optimal audio and video without manual intervention.
o Systems filter out unwanted background noise such as air conditioners and PCs.
o Images are transmitted in their native resolution.
· Proven TANDBERG Reliability:
o Unique Downspeeding and IPLR features protect calls from network interruptions.
o System automatically adjustments so that meetings continue uninterrupted.
· Robust TANDBERG Security:
o Highest level of standards-based embedded encryption.
o Automatically activated to provide secure conference calls.
o No need to purchase additional hardware.
· Standards-based:
o Compatibility with systems from multiple vendors.
o Seamless integration with network features.
· Award winning design:
o Form and function are united in every system.
TANDBERG Solution:
The TANDBERG Solution consists of systems and software that can be purchased individually, and can work seamlessly together for a total video solution:
· Management: The core of the solution. It is a centralized management foundation that ensures seamless deployment of video across any organization. Add, manage and control components from TANDBERG as well as third-party vendors. Schedule video resources and booking facilities, launch ad hoc meetings, and monitor ROI. Integrates with existing PC tools such as IBM and Microsoft.

· Video Systems:

· Infrastructure:

How does this system work?

Resource:
http://www.ivci.com/videoconferencing_tandberg.html

Interaction in Athabasca University

In the Athabasca University in Canada there are many ways for learner-learner interaction and learner-teacher interaction.
A learning community has existed in this university. Through this community, the learner can interact with other learners whether they are registered in the same courses or not. Also, he/she can interact with the tutors, professionals, former students, family members, informal lifelong learners and mentors.
In this learning community several software tools and learning objects are used to help in the interaction process. Students can participate in online discussion boards.
There are also some enabling software help in the interaction process. These are:
1. “Introducer systems” (MeetUp, Udate, Ryze, Tribe) connect a broad spectrum of web users.
2. WIKIs and systems such as LiveJournal allow the informal creation and ongoing development of group diaries, commentaries and other documentation of individual and group activities.
3. Chat rooms are already in use by the AUSA (The Athabasca University Students’ Association) but more elaborate text, such as those facilitated by MOOs (MUD object oriented) which is a text-based online virtual reality system to which multiple users (players) are connected at the same time and MUDS (Multi-User Dungeon, Domain or Dimension) that is a multi-player computer game that combines elements of role-playing games, hack and slash style computer games and social chat rooms.
4. Graphic virtual worlds (e.g. http://www.there.com/) could also be usefully employed to facilitate real time interaction.
The university also has already implemented several types of services including a “Study Buddy” service, regional coffee groups, mentoring contacts, and various “birds of a feather” groups such as one for students who are single mothers.
Also, the learner-teacher interaction in this university can be done through frequently asked questions, library tutorials and responses to Call Center queries.

One of the software used in interaction in Athabsca University is THERE. This software is free and you can install it on your desktop. You have to register to log in this software. This is the interface of this software.

There are many tools of communication in this software such as Voice Chat, Mail, Activity Flags, My profile, Eye Monitor and other tools.

Also there is a forum to discuss any topic you want with others.



Reference:
Anderson, T., Annand, D., Wark, N. (2004, October). Interaction in Learner-Paced Learning. Retrieved on17/09/2008 from
http://cider.athabascau.ca/research/researchCurrent/Interaction

blackbaord

Distant education in Harper Collagehttp://goforward.harpercollege.edu/page.cfm?p=2255

Harper College is a two-year community college in Palatine, Illinois in United States. The College was established by referendum in 1965, and in 1971, Harper's construction was finished. It is named for Dr. William Rainey Harper, a pioneer in the junior college movement in the United States and the first president of the University of Chicago.Harper College offers Distance education courses. It uses a blackboard as a course management system. A blackboard is a Web site for e-learning course. It is used to display a course syllabus, schedule, assignments, discussion boards, quizzes, and other course-related documents and storing documents such as the syllabus, assignment information, handouts, and so on. Blackboard offers features to promote the communication that's needed to build a community. These features are:

Discussion Board:Discussion board enables the students and the instructor to discuss issues and exchange ideas in asynchronous communication.

Collaboration Chat areas:There are two types of chats applications: a Lightweight Chat and Virtual "Lecture Hall" Classroom. Chats provide the opportunity for synchronous communication.In addition to communication-related features such as Discussion Boards and Chats, Blackboard courses may provide a variety of activities for students like:

Linked Assignments:A linked assignment is "linked" to the Blackboard Gradebook. The instructor may write comments for the learner's assignments.

Digital Dropbox:The Digital Dropbox can be used by instructors and students to exchange files. Learner can upload a document (such as a Word or PowerPoint document) to the Digital Dropbox so that it can be accessed by both learner and instructor. The instructor can then downloads the file, add comments to it, and send it back to the learner's Digital Dropbox.

Quizzes

Gradebook:Students can check their grades at any time using gradebook. Most instructors use the Blackboard gradebook to record learner’s grades and for giving feedback.

e-commerce development course

* We enter this course by using password and username which is "bbguest" that was given us by blackboard.com for the guest:http://harper.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp

"E-commerce development” is a distant education course offered by harper collage. The course is viewed in blackboard management system. It is divided to (15) modules .Most of the modules have the required readings and assignments. There is also usually a summary or helpful hint about the topics in the module. Most modules contain a link to Key Concepts PowerPoint slides and Review Puzzles/Games. The course has many other features which help distant learners to learn individually such as:*Communication tools:

There are four main communication tools, which allow student-student interaction and teacher-student interaction. The four tools are:

1- Collaboration Sessions: which include lecture hall (virtual classroom) and office hours (chat)2- Discussion Board :

3- Groub page :Instructor determines a group of learners and certain time to be available and make chatting.

4- Send Email

There are other things that support the course and acheive effective community, these things like :

* Syllabus: which cover Policies, Netiquette Policy, Schedule, DUE DATES,Course Prerequisites, Required Textbooks / Materials, Course Learner Objectives and other general information. Syllabus helps students to organize thie time.

* Course Schedule:Course schedual covers the beginning and due date for each model in the course.

*Help:There are also "get help” buttons for student to get help if there are any problems face them. The “help” link leads to another page that contain library provides a full range of resources and services online and allow to student to ask a librarian, instructional vodcasts, tutorials, e-books, catalogs with full-text articles, journals, e-reserves.