MANAGING ICT


Free video-conferencing A


Tim Boundy on video-


conferencing for schools in


the modern world


NEW free software tool called JVCS Desktop enables schools to experience high quality video- conferencing with anyone in the world, even if they do not have a dedicated video-conferencing system themselves. All that is


required is a webcam or a Windows PC. With over 5,000 schools now using the JANET


Video-conferencing Service (JVCS), it is clear that UK schools are embracing the use of video- conferencing in the classroom with thousands of video- conferences happening each month, both nationally and internationally. Via this service, schools are able to access experts from world-renowned content providers such as the Natural History Museum and the London Symphony Orchestra, sometimes providing whole GCSEs or A level courses to students. The JVCS Desktop software enables schools to send


a video-conference invitation to anyone with internet access. The guest, be they a classroom in another country or a business expert from a local company, can then link to the UK classroom via their webcam. Additionally the video-conference can be streamed to other viewers over the internet and recorded for subsequent use. JVCS Desktop can also be used for video-conferences


outside of the classroom. Deployed by local authorities to conduct meetings across the region, JVCS Desktop can reduce the expense of time and travel. Content providers who deliver video-conferencing


content via JVCS can also benefit from JVCS Desktop. Chris Derby, education manager at the National Space Centre in Leicester, explained: “Previously we could only video-conference with schools that had hardware systems but now we have essentially expanded the sector that can participate in our video-conferencing sessions to every classroom in the country. This is a great development and will hopefully encourage more schools to take up video-conferencing.”


London to China In May, Oaks Park High School in Redbridge,


London, had its first video-conference with Jiujiang Foreign Languages School in China. Jeff Hawthorn, assistant head at Oaks Park,


explained: “JVCS Desktop worked really well and the quality was excellent. Our students loved the experience and the Chinese school is keen to set-up pen friends with our students. The Oaks Park students practised doing a short presentation beforehand and this has been an excellent confidence-building and speaking and listening exercise. “We are planning to repeat the session with other


schools and we are looking at linking up with a new partner in France and even a school in Uganda. We already have regular videoconferences with Spain. I expect JVCS Desktop will be very useful in all these cases.” Meanwhile, Mina Patel at London Grid for Learning


(LGfL) supports schools across the consortium of 33 London local authorities, and leads the LGfL Video- conference Development Group. Ms Patel has worked with JANET(UK) on the pilot of the new JVCS Desktop feature and provided guidance to Oaks Park in the planning for their event. She said: “Jeff Hawthorne contacted me with


regards to setting up a video-conference link with a school in China. Oaks Park has a High Definition endpoint and the Chinese school had a webcam.” Ms Patel explained that JVCS Desktop is not just


useful for schools looking for partners abroad and can be used for management and CPD events. She continued: “We used JVCS Desktop for


successful and more environmentally friendly meetings of the London Video-conference Development Group. Many of the London local authority members are office-based with high quality endpoints, while three members connect using the JVCS Desktop from home. No-one needs to travel to the meetings and they showcase the ease of having multiple endpoints; video- conference systems and JVCS Desktop together.”


Diploma support


Meanwhile, Wiltshire’s 14-19 Diploma team is developing a network to link schools, colleges and


Further information


To start using JVCS Desktop, visit http://www.ja.net/ video. JVCS Desktop is available to all UK schools and Content Providers now via the JVCS Booking Service on www.jvcs.ja.net/booking and for more about the JANET Videoconferencing Service, visit www.ja.net/ jvcs


employers together across the county and further afield. The potential of video-conferencing for pupils in rural areas means it will become a key component in the delivery of Diplomas in Wiltshire. Project leader Andrew Malcolm is working closely


with schools and employers to develop new connections and opportunities. “We plan to link companies as diverse as


construction sites and the local high street hairdresser – I’ll take JVCS Desktop in on my laptop for the Hair and Beauty Diploma. Another obvious choice for video-conferencing is the Business, Administration and Finance course which goes live in September 2010. Staff delivering the Creative and Media Diploma also see video-conferencing as a perfect way to assess practical work over different sites.” Plans are already in place to link with local


businesses to address units such as Personal Finance and Financial Services as well as Sales and Customer Service in Business. The ease with which businesses can download


the JVCS Desktop client and then be linked into the classroom makes this a less time-consuming activity for a company to consider. Wiltshire is keen to include as many partners as


possible in this process, both to support the Diploma work and to promote the effective use of video- conferencing.


SecEd


• Tim Boundy advises schools, local authorities, regional networks and the cultural sector on delivering educational content online and via videoconference. He helped to develop and implement the new JANET Video-conferencing Service features. Follow www. twitter.com/timboundy or email tim.boundy@ja.net


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