Cisco Telepresence in the Classroom
Cisco Telepresence is a high-tech videoconferencing system that is designed to provide a virtual face-to-face meeting in an environment that is appealing, consistent, and real-to-life.
The learning experience can be expanded. You can conduct live, lifelike meetings without traditional classroom constraints. The high-definition, high quality video experience extends the reach of the existing facility, and provides access to content and experts everywhere, anywhere, anytime with lecture capture and video podcasting. This technology can bring together multicultural student groups and improve administration and staff productivity. Non-tradition courses in schools can be offered to students who do not live in the same regions. There have been Mandarin Chinese classes offered to students all over the country at one time, in one classroom, with connectivity. Location is no longer a constraint.
What problems or challenges have been associated with this technology?
Some challenges associated with this technology include bandwidth issues that can slow down the video connection and could disrupt the videoconferencing sessions. A proper data connection must be used to get the most our of this technology. Cost is another obstacle, but this can be overcome when school districts work together to make the best use of this technology. With the use of Telepresence, many more interesting and unique classes can be offered even if only a couple of students sign up from one school. In this situation, the teacher may or may not even work at the school where the class is being offered.
What societal need does it meet, and what are its benefits?
Up until recently, one would have to travel to have a face-to-face meeting with a colleague, a fellow classmate, or a professional. This could cost a lot of money, and possibly the meeting wouldn't even take place because of the numerous obstacles. Now, all one has to do is us the Telepresence system to have a class or meeting with students and/or participants from all over the world. I work in Los Angeles, and sometimes I drive up to 2 hours in traffic one way in order to have a face-to-face meeting with someone.
What would make this technology even better, avoiding the pitfalls you identified?
Currently, this videoconferencing technology has been perfected to allow the participants to truly feel like they are in the same room and sitting at the same table as the other participants who may actually be on the other side of the world. A more effective placement of cameras would make this technology even more life-like. Currently, when you talk to the person on the other side of the "table", you look at the camera which is above their eyes. They see you looking slightly above their head. I would like to see the camera embedded directly in the screen at a place that is lined up with the eyes of the other person. This would improve the social aspect of feeling like you are looking into someone else's eyes when you are talking to them - this would make it much more life-like. If you haven't experienced this technology yet, it is definitely a great experience. I am excited to follow its progress over the years to find out how else it may be used.
We have tried to have some video-conferences at my school, however, as you mentioned, insufficient bandwidth can disrupt the conference. Our bandwidth is so bad that we could only hear 50% of what was being said at one meeting. I think it is important for organizations to put into place sufficient infrastructures to support the technologies that are being introduced. For example, before an organization stops purchasing DVDs in favor of streaming video, they need to be sure that the bandwidth can support the demand of multiple classrooms using streaming video. Adopting new and emerging technologies is great, but there must be some thought given as to whether they can be supported and utilized in the way that they were intended. Otherwise, the technology will not be used and the investment wasted.
ReplyDeleteVideo conferencing is definitely "new age" technology within the school district I currently work: at least among teacher and local administrative colleagues. It is interesting to note how many other industries are more receptive to new technologies in efforts to enhance efficiency. Yet, the very institution that is entrusted to equip students for future endeavors on a professional level is lagging in its adoption of "new technologies".
ReplyDeleteMaine was an avid user of video conferencing to have classes state wide using ATM technology. The program was pretty interesting but found that with school schedules it was near impossible to sync at the right times. The program was highly invested in but has since been canceled.
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