SQU video conferencing

SQU is an important place for education in Oman. It work hard to provide qualitative learning for their students and faculties so as technology improved, it try its best to incorporate this technology in education. One of these technologies which come in those days is video conferencing. As we study distant education course, so On Monday 21st of October, instructor took us in a visit to SQU video conferencing which is located in the main library and managed by the Center for Education Technology. In this report, I will talk about the visit to SQU video conference and its benefit for distance education program in SQU.

SQU video conference was built in multi lab purpose. It is used Tandberg system. The lab of video conference is covered with sound insulator to help students hear the sound and to prevent disturbed sound. It has those components:

1. Unit control which contains the following: Codec which is connected to the cameras and remote control, DVD: contains DVD and hard disk and Networks for connecting laptops.
2. Plasma
3. Camera
4. pc
5. Document
6. Camera
7. VCR
8. AUX camera
9. Tandberg audio science

SQU can benefit from video conference in that it help presenter out of Oman to present their research in the conference like ICODE. Also, it is used in medicine part to helps students how surgery is conducted. In addition, video conference gives students opportunity to attend courses outside Oman.

LifeSize High Definition Video Communications

What is Live Size Video conference system?

LifeSize high definition video communication systems deliver high quality video. It provides clear
images, fluid motion and rich sound which help to create a realistic communication experience. Also, It is built on superior technology architecture.

Technical features:

LiveSize has those features:

• Deliver high definition video quality
• Delivers audio conferencing sound quality and room coverage.
• LifeSize offers a variety of hardware infrastructure solutions for high definition
• video and audio deployments which are secure firewall/NAT traversal, ISDN to IP Gateway, and 12 and 24-port high definition Multipoint Control Units.
• LifeSize systems are designed to be IT friendly with plug-and-play installation and simple, intuitive operation.
• It offers intelligent management solutions for your video communications systems.
• LifeSize systems are designed for maximum flexibility and ease of use.

Technology supported: LifeSize® Communications provides customers and partners excellent service and support: Services: LifeSize Assurance Services Products: There are several products provide by LifeSize such as:

1. Video: LifeSize Conference 200, LifeSize Conference, LifeSize Room 200, LifeSize Room , LifeSize Team 200, LifeSize Team MP , LifeSize Team and LifeSize Express.
2. Audio: LifeSize Phone
3. Infrastructure: LifeSize Transit , LifeSize Networker, LifeSize Gateway and LifeSize Multipoint.
4. Management: LifeSize Control and LifeSize Gatekeeper.
5. Accessories: LifeSize SDI Adapter and LifeSize Focus.

Traning:

1. Video Release 3.0 Features: Auto Discovery and LDAP, IPv6, Miscellaneous New, Features and Enhancements, Meetings Directory, Redial List Enhancements, LifeSize, Room Only, Telepresence, Video Quality Preferences, Virtual Multiway, Web Administration Interface Enhancements, Configuring NAT and Reserved Port Preferences.

Video Conferencing Solutions: LifeSize® video conference systems provide several authentic, realistic and immersive Telepresence experience and solutions for customers which are the following:

Telepresence Solutions : Telepresence allows meeting with remote participants.

Enterprise Solutions : Live Size provides the following enterprise Solutions: High Impact, High Definition Communication, Connecting Executives, Managers and Project Teams in High Definition, High Definition Audio Conferencing and secure communication environment.

Education Solutions: live size enhances education through the following: high definition video communications to education practitioners, students, researchers and administrators, and help to make learning accessible and affordable.

Public Sector Solutions: Live Size provides the following Public Sector Solutions: Communicate effectively, Connect with anyone, anywhere, Solid security and completely reliable and Committed to the Public Sector and Partnerships.

Healthcare Solutions: Size provides the following Healthcare Solutions: Reaching more patients, Providing better care, provide a telepresence experience that helps medical experts and scientists collaborate on research without leaving their laboratories and supports the healthcare industry.

Environmental Solutions: LifeSize PlanetWise promote green technologies that reduce pollution, improve the company’s environmental efficiency and partner with leading environmental non-governmental organizations.

Appropriateness to DE institutes: Life-Size is appropriate for DE institutes because it has several features that are suitable for DE like high quality video, students can communicate with instructors via E-mail and phone. In addition, LifeSize support professional call so students and instructor can call to ask questions, concerns, and assistance. Moreover, LifeSize makes communicating at a distance as natural as being in the same room. Also, it allows people to use technology to meet across distances with the same realism and interaction as an in-person meeting. People appear in lifesize with excellent picture quality and detail. Also, A telepresence experience makes meeting across distances completely natural, providing absolute ease of use and increased productivity.

http://www.lifesize.com/

Examination of Critical Issues for Development and Implementation of Online Instruction

Abastract

The purpose of this descriptive and exploratory study is to investigate several issues affecting development and implementation of online program to help online program, instructors, administrators, instructional designers, and technology developers to be aware of online challenges and instruction delivery. It is implemented in about 23 HRD professionals from Chicago, who almost have strong educational background. The research data was collected by using several instruments including in-depth interviews, surveys, observations, and document analysis, personal notes from participants, minutes and notes from project team meetings, and electronic data records. The result of this study show that the most common used technology resources for online are e-mail and web based technologies. In addition, instructors and developer programmer require knowing basic of how to use word processing and presentation software, multiple web browsers, and HTML editors and need to be able to broadcast and archive live audio and use text chat to interact with students. Also, students require knowing how to use web browsers. Moreover, majority of the teachers need training in how to start an online program. So, Online program must be consider as completely new delivery systems that present different and unique problems and need to be carefully analyzed by the developer to resolve its difficulties that will be faced by both the instructors and the students.

Reference:Johnson. Scott D., Palma-Rivas.N., Suriya.C, Downey. S. (no date). Examination of Critical Issues for Development and Implementation of Online Instruction. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved on: 4/11/2008 from http://edwebsfiles.ed.uiuc.edu/hre/online/research/issues.pdf

Open Universty Replay

Dear Enquirer

Thank you for your email and interest in the Open University. Please see the following link to courses available to residents of Oman:

http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/countries/Oman.shtm

I suggest that you have a look at the above link and see if there are any courses that interest you. From the link you can also see the cost of the courses and more information about the courses. The Open University's style of teaching is called 'supported open learning', also known as 'distance learning'. This means that you will be learning in your own time by reading course material, working on course activities and writing assignments. A lot of work will be done at home, and may require you to have access to a computer and the Internet. Depending on the course you may interact with a tutor via online tutorials, or over the phone. Some courses may have tutorials that you can attend, but these may not be compulsory and the location of tutorials will depend on the number of students and their general location. Please see the following link to information regarding alternative formats that we offer for disabled students:http://www.open.ac.uk/disability/pages/course-materials/how-to-search-for-alternative-formats.php

http://www.open.ac.uk/disability/pages/faqs/faqs.php

If you would like any more information, don't hesitate to contact us again. You may also like to speak to a Course Choice Advisor who can suggest the most suitable course for you. They can be contacted on +44 845 300 60 90. I hope that this has answered your query. If you need any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact the Student Registration & Enquiry Service, click below for our contact details. http://www.open.ac.uk/contact/ If you would like to comment on the service you have received, please use the form on the weblink below.http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/cccfeedback.htm Yours sincerely Hollie FranksStudent Registration & Enquiry Service The Open University handles your personal information in accordance with the Data Protection Act. We will retain your details so that we can send you further relevant information about our courses and qualifications. If you do not wish to receive any further marketing communications from us please call 01908 655603 and quote your Personal Identifier. For more information about the Open University’s Data Protection policy visit our website at: http://www3.open.ac.uk/our-student-policies/pdf/dataprotection.pdf.

Ref Num: 1-451SLM. -----Original Message----- From: shada-12@hotmail.comSent: 17/Sep/2008 06:40:46 AMTo: Subject: <> I am student from oman and i looking for history courses. So,I would like to know about students support services and how they interactwith the content, instructor and other students. Also i would like to know about other format material and services that provide for disable students.

Thankyou _________________________________________________________________

Discover the new Windows Vistahttp://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=windows+vista&mkt=en-US&form=QBRE ---------------------------------The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302

Ramadan

 

Interaction Tools

British Open learning university


Overview:
One of the most useful things you can do when you learn is communication with other for exchanging ideas and information, sharing support with other students, asking questions and getting feedback from your tutor, so open university provide learners with tools for communication. One of these universities is British Open University.

Course type of interaction:

1. Individual interaction:
Students can interact with materials through the following:
· Watch and analyze visual materials.
· Written course materials on audio cassette.
· Course units and supplementary material are available on CD-ROM with navigational facilities.
· Students can refer to relevant link in a course website.
· Home experiment
· There is special service for a disable people.
· The course contains optional conference
2. Social interaction:

Institution-learners interaction:
The university provides section for student as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which include some questions commonly asked by the students. This section is divided into for groups which are
· Studying with the OU
· Telling the OU about a disability
· Costs of studying
· Terminology used
Also, students can contact with university through the university email Ireland@open.ac.uk and if students like to discuss study needs can contact through this e-mail (Wales@open.ac.uk) or phone: 029 2047 1170.Moreover, Student can take information about Registration & Enquiry Service by phoning this number (+44 (0)845 300 60 90). .

Instructor-learners interaction:
There is support from the tutor to provide material and give comments and marks about written work. The students need to be active in asking for help from the tutor. The tutor will support the students by:
· Marking the student's course assignments and give them written feedback.
· Arranging tutorial support for a small group of students. This support may be face to face, online or by phone, depending on the course and the circumstances of the group.
· Assistance student individually by phone or by e-mail. The tutor will explain when and how to make contact so do get in touch when you need help.
· Online forums take part in discussions.
· OU mailbox and the chat forums available

• Learner-learners interaction:
  Students in this university can:
  1. Learning with others (tutor and other students) because OU provide many courses with following:
  · Online forums where you learners can discuss with other.
  · OU mailbox and the chat forums available to contact with other.
  · Self-help study groups
  · Email from another student kept learners going last year,
  · Learners can set up or join a study group to be with other students, discuss ideas and be supportive. Students can also revise with others to prepare for exam or end-of-course assessment.
  · Instant messaging: is a means of having a quick written conversation with one or more people who are online at the same time.
  · Learners can make their learning enlivenment through Moodle which is used by instructor to help learners create good learning environment. Also, OU provide students with different software in network students can access to the course, interact with tutor and other learners. Also, students asked to organize self-help study group either by face to face or using chatting. Moreover, learners can contact with other students through e-mail and discuss by joining online conferencing.
  
• How we found information?
  We sent an e-mail for the institution but they did not replay for the message. Also, we navigate through the course and we read the information available there. Also, we used search engine to find more information about the university.
  
  
• Reference
  http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/archives/002258.htm
  
  http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?C01AA310
  

Online forums communication tool

The definition:

An Internet forum is a bulletin board system in the form of a discussion site.
Also it can be defined as An Internet forum which is a discussion area on a website. An Internet forum is also called a message board, discussion group, bulletin board or web forum.

Why the OU uses online forums?
Open university uses Online forums because it :
· Make learners feel as a part of the OU community, connecting to other students and keeping them motivated.
· It is a good way for students to work together, rather than individually.. In learning, group working help to promote deeper understanding of a subject and better critical thinking.
· Online forums are a different way of learning from face-to-face methods, and people need to learn how to do it successfully..

What forums can do?
Forums can be used for:
a small group project
contribution from everyone on the course
a discussion with a lot of people
a technical support forum with thousands of people
a tutor-group forum where you keep in touch with just a few people
a forum for discussing hobbies which is open to all OU students
a self-help group where just a few students keep in touch.
Forums might be an important and assessed part of your course, or they might be optional.


Types of activity
These are the several of things people do in forums:

• 
  
  Social conversation


• 
  
  Getting and giving help


• 
  
  Group work and projects


• 
  
  Discussion


• 
  
  News and keeping in touch
  Not every forum does all of these, and some forums specialize in one type of activity.
  Social conversation:
  Some forums are designed especially for social conversation or discussing hobbies, but it can also be helpful to chat in course forums. If you meet your fellow students at face-to-face tutorials, this happens naturally in corridors and during tea breaks. You chat, discover things you have in common, find out who knows about what, have a moan together and so on. Obviously social conversation is not the main purpose of a course forum, and the students should be guided by their tutor . But generally a bit of social chat in a forum is an excellent thing, and helps the group to work better.
  Getting and giving help:
  Some forums exist only for the purpose of getting and giving help. A good example is a computer helpdesk forum. If you have a course forum, you may find that once you've got to know each other a little there will probably be quite a lot of questions and answers. You can by using forum asking for help by explaining your problem, so people who understand your problem and can give you a helpful answer will help you. On the other side you can help other people effectively.
  Group work and projects:
  Generally this kind of work is done in small groups. For the group work to go well, it needs everyone's participation and commitment-to facilitate the group work-, and a feeling of shared responsibility. This type of activity needs planning and co-ordination, such as:
  deciding together how to approach the work
  planning a timetable
  allocating tasks
  commenting on each other's work
  chasing up people who haven't done their bit
  pulling the work together, and so on
  Discussion:
  Discussion commonly takes place in larger forums, where there may be several hundred students from different parts of the country. Discussion can help the students to understand the course material, perhaps at a deeper level, possibly to give you practice in academic debate, and possibly to feed into an assignment. To get a good discussion, everyone needs to construct their messages carefully and take some responsibility for the discussion.
  News and keeping in touch:
  Some forums are used primarily as a place to post news items. A forum can also provide an opportunity to let people know about events that are coming up, what someone has found out about a topic, or what course they plan to take next.
  How to help a forum to work
  There are four main ways that you can help the forum work well:
  · Get involved
  · Help people get to know you
  · Construct clear messages
  · Take some responsibility
  
  
  
  
  
  Reference
  
  http://www.open.ac.uk/pc4study/communicating/why-the-ou-uses-online-forums.php
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_forum#column-one#column-one