Technology

Technology :: Network Stats

The general idea is to create as interactive remote classroom as possible using the existing Internet technology. The major aspect of this project will be the use of video conferencing with Voice over IP. With a number of recent developments in the field it allows for real time video broadcasting over the net with audio at a price rate that makes it accessible to everyone. By using a current incarnation of this technology that is currently available I propose to set up a real time class that will be taught on both sides of the Pacific. One class will contain the teacher and students and the other will receive a live video feed. The difference between this and a television class is that, time zone permitting, the remote class will also be able to communicate with the teacher and ask questions in real time through the same feed that will be transmitted back to the teacher. With the audio the remote students should be able to ask a question during the lecture and both classrooms should have an opportunity to hear both the answer and the question an integral part of the class room experience. It is well know that in a normal class teachers encourage students to ask their questions because others may have the same thought so it would seem that would be true in a larger class.

There are a couple of different ways in which this can be implemented. But to start off there are supplies need at both ends of the connection. First and for most there is program that will transmits the information, at this time I have been drawn towards a service called iVisit.

iVisit integrates audio, video, chat and messaging into a simple but powerful package that works on dial-up and broadband connections, PC and Mac computers.

Based on 10 years of experience with video on the net, iVisit brings you the latest in communication technology...with users in over 138 countries.
(www.ivisit.org)

There are other types of this program available one of which is QQ a Chinese version of an instant messenger that supports the same functions as iVisit, this is the program suggested by our Chinese counter parts, and other popular instant messenger services like AIM and MSN have video capability. There is a server license for iVisit this would give us complete control over access to the classroom and security on the system, but would place the maintenance and upkeep on us. This would also require a Linux based server and then there is also a yearly license fee. With the other services there is no fee but we will not control the environment. We will test both the iVisit and the QQ versions to start with.

The next few things will not be as complex. For the location with the teacher there will need to be at least two web cameras. One that will focus on the teacher one that will show the class at that location and one that will focus on the white board or black board. At the remote location there should be two cameras that intersect and give the teacher a view of the remote class.

For sound the teacher should have a wireless microphone to pick up the lecture and then a couple of general area microphones in each location that will allow the students to ask questions, some general speakers at both locations would work for the output or head sets for the students would produce the audio at the respective locations.

A projector will put the video feed up on the wall or on a screen in the teacher's normal line of sight, on one side of the class in the general area of the rest of the students.

Finally at least one projector to put the video feeds from the local class on the wall or screen in front of the local class.

Technology Utilized
We have successfully worked with the following programs:
iVisit
We have chosen iVisit as our IP video conferencing environment.

Skype
We utilize Skype for audio transmission.

NetMeeting
We are now trying NetMeeting in place of iVisit for video.

SiteSpeed
We use SiteSpeed to moniter our connections.

Local Classroom Setup
Remote Classroom Setup

Price with iVisit

A break down of the iVisit prices is provided For the server license and 100 accounts	$2000 a year
For a server setup	$1000 and up
Linux server OS	$100 and up
Web cams	$50 per camera (4)
Wireless mic	$50 and up
Area mic	$300 and up (2)
Projector	$1000 and up (2)
	Approx. $6000 for first year (not including labor)