March 2001 — Features

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Desktop Videoconferencing

by Dr. Stephen W.Zsiray, Jr., Tim Smith, and Dr. Richard West

Giving Technology-Proficient Teachers a Powerful Tool for Collaboration

Many exciting developments in Internet-based technologies provide educators with opportunities to expand their repertoire of tools for collaboration. One example is the advent of two-way desktop videoconferencing that promises to have a major impact on education. Recognizing the potential of this technology, a group of university, school district, and business leaders have formed a collaborative team to explore the application of desktop videoconferencing in the classroom. Members of the team include faculty at Utah State University's College of Education through the Center for the School of the Future, teachers and administrators of the Cache County School District in North Logan, Utah, and Sorenson Vision, Inc. in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Internet has provided a variety of tools for online collaboration. Static Internet pages, e-mail and threaded discussions have paved the way for asynchronous collaboration between educators and students. Online chats have been an important tool for synchronous collaboration, but these forms of communication are about to be supplanted by the mediums of audio and video. Recent developments have allowed video and audio streams to be compressed into manageable sizes. This, coupled with the proliferation of broadband technologies, has made effective synchronous collaboration possible.

Electronic collaboration is important to consider because it can be done at any time, from anywhere. Further, it allows for a sustained effort where participants can propose, try out, refine, and shape ideas themselves (LAB at Brown University 1999). According to Brown (2000), electronic collaboration can be integrated into the following:

  • Discussion groups
  • Data collection and organization
  • Sharing documents
  • Synchronous communications
  • Online courses and workshops
  • Integrated distance learning tools

It is important to note that one of the goals of this project was to explore how desktop videoconferencing fits into the current landscape of electronic collaboration, not necessarily how it will supplant electronic collaboration as we know it.

Applications

Some examples are given of three basic types of collaboration with two-way desktop videoconferencing. The classification system was developed by Brown University (LAB at Brown University 1999), and includes one-to-one, one-to-group, and group-to-group.

 

One-to-one
(collaboration, technical assistance, counseling, special needs)

 

Case 1: A cadre of innovative teachers was identified and a two-way videoconferencing system was installed on their classroom computer. This group of K-12 teachers is revising and updating the district technology plan, sharing teaching ideas and lesson plans, and engaging in accountable talk. *

 

Case 2: We are currently using the system for discussion of School-to-Career planning issues. The School to Careers Committee represents teachers, counselors, administrators and teacher aides from K through 12 levels. In order to carry out the operational goals of the district School to Careers program, desktop two-way videoconferencing has allowed the coordination of SEOPs, apprenticeships, internships, and other related activities. In this program, logistical issues are a concern and desktop two-way videoconferencing presents a viable solution.