Video conferencing allows for synchronous interaction between teachers and distant students through two-way digital video and audio transmission over a network. It provides flexibility for education away from a traditional campus model. While video conferencing equipment can be expensive, costs vary significantly depending on the size and type of system. It enables audio-visual interaction and supports different instructional approaches if clear materials like slides are used. However, both learners and instructors need practice to fully utilize its features. Organizational support through technical staff and facilitators is also needed to ensure stable use.

1. ACTIONS Model
For selecting distance education media and technology
Video conferencing
Said Al-Bloushi 83915
Access
How accessible is a particular technology for learners?
There are many methods that are used to simplify and help people who choose to
be part of the distance education system. These methods play a significant role in
limiting the area distance between the learner and the teacher. Video-conferencing
is a method that is commonly used with campus-based universities whose teachers
were unable to reach their students effectively in far-flung areas. The geographical
distance had been an obstacle for both learners and teachers in this kind of
educational system. As a solution, videoconference is designed to provide new
and much opportunities as well as options to help the consumers. Changes in the
nature and size of the university population might necessarily create a wider range
such circumstances.
How flexible is it for a particular target group?
Video conferencing is said to have a greater flexibility of provision – away from a
simple campus-based model – that may need to be investigated (Knipe & Lee, 2002).
It is simple and it needs the learner to only have a camera, a monitor and a
microphone since it uses a two-way digital transmission of video and audio over the
network. In order to have the maximum advantages of such a technology Video
Conferencing must be scheduled (synchronous). Generally, video communications
are synchronous to allow high degrees of interactions, questions and answers so they
must be planned and the necessary and needed resources must be scheduled. Using
such a method requires having a profession technical support team though to the
complexity of video recording, mixing, and transmission. Moreover, having good site
facilitators is necessary to ensure the efficacy of the working equipments in receiving
stations.
Costs
What is the cost structure of each technology?
Video Conferencing is expensive because the cost of the cameras and the editing
equipments can be perceived as expensive for some of the users. The
infrastructure at each site and the links between sites can cost people a lot.
What is the unit cost per student?
In regards to the number of endpoints, the type of client and the choice of the
networks can affect the price of videoconferencing. It can cost as little as the
price of a Webcam ($100) per seat to more than $15,000 per conference room.

2. What are the opportunity costs vs. other technology choices?
 Desktop: Desktop videoconferencing clients are assigned to a single user.
They cost between $600 and $3,000 for a hardware-based system and up to
$150 for a software-only client. Connectivity is over IP.
 Small group: Either an appliance that costs between $3,000 and $12,000 or
a PC-based system that costs between $6,000 and $14,000. Small-group
videoconferencing systems are relatively easy to configure and use. They
run over ISDN or IP.
 Large group/boardroom: Provide the highest-quality video, but also come
with the highest price tag, with systems starting at $10,000. They also run
over ISDN or IP.
Teaching and Learning
What kinds of learning are needed?
The learning needed for such a technology method is by lecturing the contents
to the students via the use of different interaction such as teacher-students,
students – teachers & students – students' interaction.
What instructional approaches will best meet these needs?
All what a learner need to use videoconference is to attach a video camera to a
computer, make a connection between their teachers and them over the Internet
and begin to watch and listen to the whole explanation of the materials.
What are the best technologies for supporting teaching and learning in this?
Distant audiences, who see the speaker and ask questions, appear to monitor
such a good discussion across the sites. If the speakers have clear materials like
slides or a PowerPoint presentation, the lesson seems to be more successful
since the content is available for both sides the receiver and the sender. If
possible, copies of speaker’s materials overheads and notes can be sent to the
distant sites in advance (by fax). This also appeared to aid the presentation of
the lessons.
Can the content be adapted to the technology?
Video conferencing can be used in teaching any subject even a complex one
like math and history. the content can be adapted to the technology since using
video conferencing has many options and features that facilitate learning like
sharing desktops, media files , multipoint video, multiparty VoIP, live sharing,
group collaboration as well as document and PowerPoint presentations.
What skills does the technology develop?
Using videoconference can develop many skills like communication skills with its
different three approaches speaking, discussion and listening.

3. Interactivity and User-friendliness
What kind of interaction does this technology enable?
It is an audio-video interaction between teacher-students, students – teachers and
students – students.
How easy is it to use and learn?
It is an easy method to be used for professional but beginners need some advance
practice to figure out the features of such a method in a best way.
Organizational Issues
What are the organizational requirements to provide stability and support?
Being able to provide stability and support for such a method it is highly
recommended to have a great deal of planning and preparation to be effective and
useful. Both the camera crews and the instructor need to practice the instruments
as well as the needed Requirements to make the course successful. Because of the
complexity of video recording, mixing, and transmission, a technical support team
is required as well as site facilitators to ensure the equipment works properly at
the receiving stations.
What are the barriers to using this technology successfully within the institution?
 Service Limitations can be encounter when using a service for video
conferencing, especially a free service.
 User Issues since the users involved in the video conference differ and their
ability to use the technology in front of you differs well.
 Technical Issues since videoconferencing relies on multiple pieces of
technology, functional computers, webcams, microphones, and Internet
connections
 Communication Issues because people react differently to information
presented to them via video conference as opposed to a face-to-face meeting.
What changes need to be made within the organization to incorporate the
technology?
Solving the circumstances related to the barriers will make a significant change
when it comes to the incorporating such a method.
Novelty
How new is the technology?
Video Conferencing is not novel too much since it appears in 1980s
What are its technical capabilities?
Experts who are responsible of computer security believe that poorly configured
or inadequately supervised videoconferencing system can permit an easy 'virtual'
entry by computer hackers and criminals into company premises and corporate
boardrooms, via their own videoconferencing systems.

4. Speed
How quickly can courses be created and distributed with this technology?
This kind of courses can be created and delivered in a maximum time in regard to
the fast and innovative techniques in technology. It is highly used with much
effort around the world because of its simple equipments.
How quickly can materials be changed?
The material is changing via to the idea of adapting the whole material to the
different groups of learners who has exceptional ways of learning and teaching.