Video+Conferencing

media type="file" key="videotitle.swf" width="804" height="108" ** //Basics// ** Video conferencing uses audio and video to connect people at different locations for a meeting. Your Interactive Classroom suite came with Video Conferencing capabilities using equipment from Tandberg. Video Conferences can be **//Point to Point//** - where one sites connects directly to another or **//Multipoint//** - where several sites connect to a virtual meeting room.

Point to Point involves one site connecting to one other site. If you are connecting to another DET school you can place the call using your Tandberg remote control.
 * //__ Point to Point __//**

http://www.kn.sbc.com/wired/vidconf/multipoint.html#Planning
 * //__ Multipoint  __//** A Multipoint Video Conference involves multiple sites connecting to a Virtual Meeting Room. If you are organising a Multipoint Video Conference you must call the DET IT Support number (1800 338 483) in advance to organise how many participants will be involved and the date & time the conference will take place. For more information on things to consider before organising or participating in a Multipoint VC please visit the following website.



**//__ Quick Tips __//** Prior to making either a Point to Point or Multipoint Video Conference (VC) make sure the other parties involved have been notified that the VC will be occuring. Make sure the camera is focused on you prior to making or receiving the call. No matter what type of Video Conference you are taking part in there is a certain etiquette to be followed just like any other meeting you may have. Please use the following links from the Distance and Rural Technologies (DART) website and Centre for Learning Innovation (CLI) to help you in getting started using Video Conferencing.

http://dart.det.nsw.edu.au/connections/instructions/VideoConferencingTips.pdf
 * //DART Tips//**

**//CLI - Introduction to Teaching using Video Conferencing//** http://lrr.cli.det.nsw.edu.au/web/vidconf/

**// Virtual Excursions //** Video Conferencing can be used to undertake Virtual Excursions where the class is connected to experts in a particular field or to other student 'hosts" at a remote location. Schools in NSW Schools have been participating in Virtual Excursions to places such as The Great Barrier Reef, NASA and The Western Plains Cultural Centre (Click on the Use of ICP in Western Sydney Region link for more information). Even though VC with other DET schools is available at no cost to schools, Virtual Excursions usually incur a fee that the participating school is to pay.

**// Virtual Excursion Link //** http://dart.det.nsw.edu.au/html/events.html
 * //Connections//** is a project of the NSW Department of Education & Training - Rural and Distance Education Unit. Please use the link below to find out more information on Virtual Excursions and registering for upcoming events.