a video-conferencing system

Polycom Video Conferencing system

• Definition: Polycom telepresence solutions is video conferencing system enable people in different locations to collaborate face-to-face as if they were in the same room


• Advantage:
  - enable people in different locations to collaborate face-to-face as if they were in the same room.
  - improve productivity,
  - accelerate decision making
  - deliver competitive advantages
  - reducing the need to travel



• Type of VC in Polycom:
  1. Video Conferencing for conference rooms
  · From Entry level to Performance, Polycom Conference Room Solutions encompass a range of offerings to meet the needs of any meeting room, from small offices to large boardrooms and auditoriums.
  · Polycom Conference Room Solutions are designed for optimal face-to-face communications and enhance the experience of meeting over video conferencing such that each meeting is seamless and integrated.
  2. Video Conferencing for individual offices
  · Polycom has the right video conferencing solutions to meet any unique requirements of the office environment.
  · The Polycom VSX3000 delivers an integrated high quality video conference solution perfect for executive suites and remote offices. The VSX3000 extends the conference room to the personal office environment and doubles as a PC display when not in use in a video call.
  · The Polycom V500 provides personal video calling within any type of office – including those who work from home- simply plug the system into your high speed broadband network, connect to any size television display and start the video call.
  3. Video Conferencing for the desktop
  · The Polycom PVX personal video conferencing solution delivers business quality desktop video conferencing from the convenience of your PC.
  · The Polycom PVX extends the ultimate Polycom video conferencing experience to your PC and webcam with the first software application ever offered. The Polycom PVX works in conjunction with your PC and USB camera to provide the highest quality video and audio experience in the industry. Add the Polycom PVX to your PC and within minutes you'll be talking, via video, to customers and colleagues around the world. The Polycom PVX solution is an easy way to communicate face-to-face from your office, from your home or on the road.



• Capabilities of Polycom:
  1. High Definition - Experience Ultimate HD
  · The Polycom HDX 9004 and 9002 offer the highest level of audio and video performance. Whatever your application, UltimateHD from Polycom starts with the performance of Polycom’s high definition video codecs.
  · Experience UltimateHD for yourself, take a look at the professional integrator’s choice for UltimateHD, the Polycom HDX 9004 and the Polycom HDX 9002.
  2. Conferencing Network Solutions
  · Polycom simplifies the conferencing experience by providing a platform that was designed from the outset to deliver a full range of multi-media services over disparate networks. This enables users to be presented with consistent, repeatable and easy-to-use conference features, regardless of endpoint device or whether they are connecting via audio or video over PSTN, ISDN, IP (H.323 or SIP) networks.
  · The Network Conferencing solutions include all the components required to have a complete integrated conferencing solution for an enterprise.These components include:
  o MCUs - ReadiConvene and MGC-25
  o Conferencing Scheduling and Management - ReadiManager
  o Advanced Gatekeeper - PathNavigator
  o Conferencing Reording and archival - ReadiRecorder and RSS-2000
  
  3. Camera Control Systems
  · Vaddio provides camera control systems and specialty cameras used in conferencing and the presentation industry. The products include some of the most unique camera control products and specialty cameras that can be integrated into any conferencing and presentation room.
  · The products include hands free presenter camera controls for various applications.

to see more information http://www.fvc.com

Examples of interaction techniques in Athabasca University

1) Learner-learner interaction
a. AUSU PEER SUPPORT OPTIONS:
i. AUSU Discussion Forums:
A great place to get in touch with other AU students. It is also a great place to read about students' experiences with AU courses, or just to talk about what interests you.
ii. Chat Room:
Allows you to talk to other AU students or student councilors in real time. AUSU Councilors often schedule chat times to be available for student questions.
iii. AUSU Student Clubs:
Allow students with similar interests to come together for support and fun. Each club has a website with information of interest to members, and a private discussion forum where most interaction takes place.
i. AUSU website: if the students have any trouble or want to discuss with others in the same courses they could join (AUSU website). It allows students to post and view messages to the bulletin board and Study Buddy Board and to participate in the online chat and course evaluation

2) Learner-content interaction
1. Ask AU: To answer FAQ
2. Free publishing:
*AUSU News: These services tell the member information about what happens at AUSU by sending mails to students once or twice a year.
*AUSU Handbook/Planner: Available for AU undergraduate members giving them general information about the studying and learning in the AUSU
3. AUSU Advocacy: provides advocacy for all AU students in two distinct ways:
*Individual Student Advocacy: this service support student if they have any concern or feedback about things such as: course problems, academic or exam fees, tutor concerns or commendations, new course suggestions, or any ideas that will improve your academic experience overall, by only email.
*External, or Group Advocacy: this service advocates on behalf of all our members through a number of initiatives. These include for example: membership in external student organizations, lobbying the provincial and federal governments for increased educational funding, equitable student loans programs, scholarships and bursaries, and other student issues, financial and volunteer support for various student initiatives such as conferences, funding for disabled students at AU, and student campaigns for tuition reform and other issues relevant to all students

Example of interaction software

The AUSU Study Buddy Program
The program features:
1. Study Buddy is AUSU’s longest running program,
2. It's offered by students’ union.
3. It provides a secure online meeting place for students to locate others taking the same course.
4. Find online listings to locate another student in the same course, or
5. Place him/her own listing so that others can find you.
6. Users must be logged in to access the system, so will not be contacted by anyone who is not an AU student.
7. The system also stores email addresses in a database, so it won't be added to spam lists.
8. Once the student find someone s/he would like to get in touch with, simply click on their username to get the system automatically send an email to both him/her and him/her selected Study Buddy, which will allow him/her to then contact each other directly.
9. help Sharing study tips,
10. keeping each other on track, and
11. Sharing the experience of being part of a study group.