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 In 2003, BCNET introduced a videoconferencing pilot project for our member institutes. The pilot project was developed to meet the needs of our members who increasingly needed to collaborate with campuses across BC and the country. As well, professional programs such as medicine and law were looking for innovative ways to delivery distance learning.
With wide spread user adoption, the pilot project has been a great success. Today, there are over 50 videoconferencing units being used for a wide array of applications across campuses including thesis defense , staff meetings, special events, committee reviews, distributed learning and research.
To sign up for videoconferencing, contact info@bc.net.
Desktop Videoconferencing
BCNET is currently piloting Phase II of our videoconferencing project. Phase II involves evaluating d esktop collaboration tools for widespread usage. We are endeavoring to find a desktop VC solution, which allows users to have voice, video and instant messaging from their desktop.
Types of Videoconferencing
There are three different uses of audio/video over the network:
- Multi-Point Videoconferencing
Small group meetings require many-to-many interactions. Every conference participant needs to interact fully with all other participants. The type of videoconferencing required for this requires multi-point capability. In this scenario, all stations can independently produce and receive audio/video streams.
- Streaming Video
Course delivery, lectures, and other events require one-to-many interactions. Typically, the speaker/lecturer interacts with many listeners, and most feedback is mediated via the speaker. This lends itself to video streaming.
Streaming video has one station producing audio/video streams, and many receivers. It is more like the traditional broadcast paradigm, but it makes use of data networks rather than dedicated analog broadcast facilities.
- Desktop Videoconferencing
Desktop videoconferencing is in the testing stage and is not widely available. Plans are in place to launch this soon.
Equipment
BCNET acquired the videoconferencing equipment and facilitated the distribution, technical support and training for members.
If you are interested in a videoconferencing unit, contact info@bc.net. |
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