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eClassroom Technology
The eClassroom relies on two key technologies:
- videoconferencing
- centralized Internet-driven classroom computer control
Videoconferencing
We chose industry-standard H.323 videoconferencing equipment
to facilitate student-instructor interaction between the two Statistics labs.
Using standards-based products provides the greatest product longevity and the
highest level of supportability in terms of repair and functional assistance.
In addition, using H.323 allows both rooms to be used as videoconferencing end-points
for a variety of applications, including "traditional" distance learning
endeavors.
In the "anchor" room, from which the instructor
teaches, there is a ceiling-mounted LCD projector and a wall-mounted projection
screen. Both rooms sport ceiling-mounted microphones, and a wireless mic is
available to the instructor to enhance instructor-student communication.
In the "satellite" room (which is smaller), there
are two television-style monitors; one for inbound audio/video and another for
outbound video only (in which students populating the "satellite"
room can see themselves as the main room does).
The instructor, using a remote control device very much
like the one you use at home to control your TV or VCR, initiates a connection
to the "satellite" room by selecting it's name entry from an address
list. The connection is made almost instantly and the instructor can then communicate
directly with the students in that location.
Centralized Internet-driven classroom computer control
Achieving and preserving control of over forty students
in two physical locations requires some outside-the-box thinking. Instructors
in the Statistics computer lab needed the following:
- A mechanism to demonstrate various software functionality
to students in both rooms.
- A method of quickly gaining the attention of students
in either room.
- A way to allow small workgroups in each lab to collaborate
on group projects.
With unfettered Internet access on all 42 lab computers,
there is great potential for students to "wander off" into the world
of the Internet while ignoring their instructor. This problem was solved using
NetOp School, a high-performance remote control software package designed to
allow instructors to "beam" demonstrations to each student in the
lab. NetOp provides a means to hold the attention of students in a large computer
lab environment by providing several features:
- Instructors can instantaneously "lock" any
or all of the computers in the lab. While locked, the student has no control
of either keyboard or mouse and the screen displays either a fixed text message,
graphic image, or static web page.
- Instructors can display the content of any particular
computer screen on any or all of the student computers. While this type of
"demonstration" is taking place, the instructor can also use NetOp's
built-in screen markup tools to highlight screen content by circling important
areas or by using the arrow tool to point to items on the screen.
- Instructors can send electronic documents to all students
simultaneously. This function allows the instructor to electronically pass
out assignments. Completed assignments can then be collected electronically.
Both the distribution and collection are initiated from the instructor's computer
without student intervention. This process reduces the possibility of students
"sharing" lab work.
- Instructors can monitor all student computers using the
unique "Mosaic View" feature of NetOp. In Mosaic View, snapshot
images of all 42 lab computers are displayed on one convenient page on the
instructor's workstation. Using this tool, the instructor can quickly identify
any students who are not following the lesson or are otherwise inattentive.
- Students can request instructor help by clicking on the
"Help Me" icon located in the system tray on their computer desktop.
- A small life preserver icon appears beside the student's
name on the instructor's desktop. The instructor can opt for real-time text
chat and, if necessary, assume control of the student's machine.
- Instructors can create "breakout sessions"
among groups of students in the lab. Once the session membership is selected,
the instructor can assign one student as the "group leader". The
Group Leader's computer has functionality similar to that of the instructor's
computer -- they can monitor or remotely control fellow students' computers
and more.
- Because NetOp School uses IP (Internet Protocol) technology,
students can be anywhere there is an Internet connection, worldwide, and participate
in the class.
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