SEEDS: Interactive Video Conferencing in Education

by Judy Somers, Distance Education Services,
Division of Continuing Studies, University of Victoria

This part of the SEEDS webspace talks to you as a teacher who is interested in and curious about instructional videoconferences. Here we'll provide you with basic information about the videoconference medium as well as links to relevant sites on the web.

IVC (Interactive Video Conferencing) is the term we'll use in this webspace. Other initials such as ITV (Interactive Television) or VC (Videoconference) and even IVN (Interactive Video Networks) are used by researchers and practitioners. Much of the information and suggestions are also useful with instructional audioconferences where participants have an audible connection only through the telephone, but the focus of this webspace will be on videoconferences where there is also a visual connection via cameras and monitors.

It is important to us that this becomes an evolving site that provides you with a forum to contribute your own experiences and those of your fellow educators around the province. The IVC SEEDS webspace includes descriptions of several instructional applications happening around British Columbia and links to the people involved in these projects. There is registration information for provincial and international listservs focusing on instructional videoconferencing.

There is also a HyperNews forum where you can:

a. give your feedback about this site
b. add information about your own projects
c. share your ideas, concerns, and thoughts with your peers

What is the future of IVC in British Columbia? There are many, many influences on the development and use of facilities in our post-secondary and government institutions. One initiative that has great potential for drawing together the many provincial players into one network is the Provincial Learning Network proposal. By regularly checking this update page and discussing the PLN initiative on the listservs and through the HyperNews Forum, you will be better able to have a current perspective on the future of ITV in British Columbia.

SEEDS: Interactive Video Conferencing in Education

Intro to IVC

Design and Presentation

Sample Applications

Related Sites and Resources

Your opportunity to contribute: IVC HyperNews Forums