Videoconferencing in a Videoconferencing in a Rural School DivisionRural School Division

Lyle Roberts and Eli MerrickLyle Roberts and Eli Merrick

66.244.203.149

Supernet 4996253182@204.209.109.89

Supernet 4996253182@3v.prrd.ab.ca

Internet 66.244.203.150##4996253182

HistoryHistory Early Experience 1996-1997Early Experience 1996-1997

• Foremost to ManyberriesForemost to Manyberries• Results – Teacher and students did well despite limited Results – Teacher and students did well despite limited

capabilitiescapabilities 2002-2003 A New Challenge2002-2003 A New Challenge

• School closuresSchool closures• Challenge to the school board from Minister of LearningChallenge to the school board from Minister of Learning• Video conferencing research and proposalVideo conferencing research and proposal• Proposal submitted in DecemberProposal submitted in December

2004 The Solution2004 The Solution• Proposal accepted by Alberta Learning – FebruaryProposal accepted by Alberta Learning – February• Acquired equipment March - AugustAcquired equipment March - August• Installation August – February 2005Installation August – February 2005

Planning CommitteePlanning Committee

What did we need?What did we need?• We didn’t know!!We didn’t know!!

What did we want?What did we want?• We didn’t know!!We didn’t know!!

• As a videoconferencing committee, we As a videoconferencing committee, we researched and visited sites that were doing researched and visited sites that were doing video conferencing to get ideasvideo conferencing to get ideas

eLinceLinc(eLearn … Innovatively (eLearn … Innovatively

Networking Communities)Networking Communities)

Prairie Rose School Prairie Rose School Division No. 8Division No. 8

Goals for eLincGoals for eLinc Enhance programming in PRSD SchoolsEnhance programming in PRSD Schools Enable small schools to remain open in their Enable small schools to remain open in their

communitiescommunities Retain and attract our urban fringe studentsRetain and attract our urban fringe students Provide video conferencing equipment at Provide video conferencing equipment at

each school to be accessed by community each school to be accessed by community membersmembers

Develop a video conferencing project that can Develop a video conferencing project that can be replicated in other remote rural be replicated in other remote rural jurisdictionsjurisdictions

Develop working partnerships with outside Develop working partnerships with outside agencies to enhance educational agencies to enhance educational opportunities for studentsopportunities for students

Scenarios of UseScenarios of Use Distance education deliveryDistance education delivery

• Core Curriculum Core Curriculum • Curriculum enhancementCurriculum enhancement

Professional growthProfessional growth• Professional Learning CommunitiesProfessional Learning Communities

Administrative/committee meetingsAdministrative/committee meetings Special Needs – IPP meetings, speech Special Needs – IPP meetings, speech

pathologists, medical consultations.pathologists, medical consultations.

Design ConsiderationsDesign ConsiderationsInfrastructureInfrastructure Network is crucial - QOS enabled network end to end using carrier Network is crucial - QOS enabled network end to end using carrier

grade equipment connected to the supernetgrade equipment connected to the supernet Gold supernet bandwidth provisioned for all sitesGold supernet bandwidth provisioned for all sites Centralized management of endpointsCentralized management of endpoints Able to Connect to external networks ie internet, 3V VPN, Netera, Able to Connect to external networks ie internet, 3V VPN, Netera,

etc.etc. Adequate power for all equipmentAdequate power for all equipment Adequate network dropsAdequate network drops

Classroom EquipmentClassroom Equipment Smallest footprint possibleSmallest footprint possible Ease of use for all usersEase of use for all users InstantaneousInstantaneous Always availableAlways available ReliableReliable Must closely approximate what a teacher would expect to do in a Must closely approximate what a teacher would expect to do in a

classclass Minimal technical supportMinimal technical support LightingLighting Sound (Microphone placement)Sound (Microphone placement)

EquipmentEquipment Each Learning Site Video Each Learning Site Video

Conferencing SuiteConferencing Suite• Polycom Viewstation FX or VSX 7000Polycom Viewstation FX or VSX 7000• Polycom PVX with Logitech Quickcam Polycom PVX with Logitech Quickcam

Pro 5000 with a computer Pro 5000 with a computer workstationworkstation

• Elmo Document CameraElmo Document Camera• Smart Board and computerSmart Board and computer• 32 inch Sony TV32 inch Sony TV• 2 Desktop projectors – ceiling 2 Desktop projectors – ceiling

mountedmounted Sony VPL CX6Sony VPL CX6 Nec VT670KNec VT670K

• Projection screen Projection screen • DVD/VCR comboDVD/VCR combo• Double wide TV cartDouble wide TV cart

Division OfficeDivision Office• Polycom Global Management System Polycom Global Management System

serverserver• Brigit ServerBrigit Server• Polycom Accord MGC 50+Polycom Accord MGC 50+• Edgemarc 5300Edgemarc 5300• V2IUV2IU

LightingLightingA Bad Example

In general – lighting is unique to every room. You have to find out what works the best in each room because there is no cookie cutter approach that can be applied.

A Better Example

Lesson Learned

Microphone PlacementMicrophone Placement

ceiling mounted microphone systemceiling mounted microphone system

Desktop microphone system

Use what’s best for the situation to get the best audio

Lesson Learned

Camera Placement – ideal is between 5 and Camera Placement – ideal is between 5 and 6 feet high6 feet high

Lesson Learned

Present and Future DirectionsPresent and Future Directions Grade 9 Social Studies – September 2005 to presentGrade 9 Social Studies – September 2005 to present Math 31 – February to June 2006Math 31 – February to June 2006 Junior High Outdoor Education – February to June 2006Junior High Outdoor Education – February to June 2006 Administrator’s meetings Administrator’s meetings Superintendent meetings for zone 6Superintendent meetings for zone 6 Music Instruction – Fall 2006Music Instruction – Fall 2006 Second Language Instruction – September 2006Second Language Instruction – September 2006 Professional Development opportunitiesProfessional Development opportunities Guest Lecturers, Authors, Scientists, Doctors, etc.Guest Lecturers, Authors, Scientists, Doctors, etc. Therapy services ie. Speech therapy, behavioral obervationsTherapy services ie. Speech therapy, behavioral obervations Other curriculum areas with low enrollment ie. Physics 30Other curriculum areas with low enrollment ie. Physics 30 Professional learning communitiesProfessional learning communities Research for rural education methodologyResearch for rural education methodology Observation and evaluation of student teachers and new teachersObservation and evaluation of student teachers and new teachers Invite community members to utilize the equipment for education and Invite community members to utilize the equipment for education and

inserviceinservice Common timetable for schools in the jurisdictionCommon timetable for schools in the jurisdiction

Prairie Rose School Division ProfilePrairie Rose School Division Profile

K-12 students = 3700K-12 students = 3700 Public Schools = 22; Colony Schools = 15Public Schools = 22; Colony Schools = 15 Area covered = approx. 11,500 square milesArea covered = approx. 11,500 square miles Endpoints = 23 suites, 48 desktopsEndpoints = 23 suites, 48 desktops MCU = 48 ports; Bridgit Server, 23 SW bridgesMCU = 48 ports; Bridgit Server, 23 SW bridges Smart Board = 21 for VC suites, 80 in classroomsSmart Board = 21 for VC suites, 80 in classrooms SuperNet Schools = 100/20 Mbps (all)SuperNet Schools = 100/20 Mbps (all) SuperNet Headend = 100/40 MbpsSuperNet Headend = 100/40 Mbps Internet Gateway = 20 Mbps full duplex Big PipeInternet Gateway = 20 Mbps full duplex Big Pipe