Videoconferencing and Webconferencing

The ATC provides three remote conferencing options for individuals or groups on campus who need to conduct a conference with remote individuals or groups. Videoconferencing provides live video-based interaction with remote participants. Webconferencing via Wimba Classroom provides live voice and graphic-based interaction. A comparison of the options is provided below. Contact the ATC for more details at atc@wpi.edu or 508-831-5220.

	Videoconferencing	Webconferencing (Wimba Classroom)	Office Communicator (OCS)
What is it?	Videoconferencing uses audio and video to bring people at different sites together at the same time for a meeting. A videoconference can be as simple as connecting two people in different locations (point-to-point) or it can involve several people at one or more locations (multi-point). All of the videoconferencing systems (codecs) on campus are IP-based (i.e. use the Internet), but the TV studio system, in addition to using IP technology, also has ISDN capabilities (which uses bundled digital telephone lines.) Available functionality depends on which videoconferencing system you use. Sharing computer screens is possible on the videoconferencing systems with a fixed location (the TV studio), but is not possible with the portable system that is available to borrow from the ATC. Videoconferencing sessions in the TV studio can be recorded for later reference.	Wimba classroom is a Web conferencing tool that allows groups of individuals to communicate real-time via voice and graphics over the Internet. Wimba events typically have a presenter and participants who collaborate to conduct meetings or class events. Wimba features include:: Voice conferencing Phone conferencing (long distance charges do apply) A shared electronic whiteboard for annotation and drawing Application sharing Sharing of documents/slides Polling Public and private text chats Event recording Live video streaming for individual participants	Office Communicator is an Instant Messaging (IM) client that provides the ability to communicate with other members of the WPI community via text, audio and video on campus, at home and from project sites. Communicator is similar in function to consumer IM clients such as AOL Instant Messenger and MSN Messenger, but is internally hosted by WPI. OCS Features include: Voice conferencing Video calling (webcam only!) Application sharing File transfer Integration with AIM and MSN Messenger Outlook and SharePoint integration
When should it be used?	Consider using videoconferencing when: The participants are dispersed. A live conversation is needed. Visual communication is important to the conversation. Some examples of videoconferencing include: Collaborative meetings with colleagues at other institutions. Faculty member participates in a thesis defense at another institution. Interviews of faculty and staff candidates. Meetings with remote project groups or project sponsors. Incorporating a remote guest speaker into your class.	Use Wimba when: The participants are dispersed. Face-to-face interaction and visual communication is not critical. The meeting or class event can be conducted in a short period of time (i.e. 1-2 hours or less). Interactive activities can be included. Participants can be at their own computers. Some examples of Wimba use includes: Distance learning class discussions and student presentations. Incorporating a remote guest speaker into your class. Meetings with remote project groups or project sponsors. Collaborative meetings with colleagues at other institutions.	Consider using OCS when: The participants are dispersed. The participants are all members of the WPI faculty/staff community. A live conversation via text or VoIP is needed. Situations where you would typically have used an alternative chat client The sharing of lecture materials is not necessary
Who can use it?	Any members of the WPI community can use the videoconferencing systems on campus.	Faculty and staff can use Wimba at any time. Wimba rooms are automatically generated for all myWPI course and organization sites. If no myWPI site is available, contact the ATC for a scheduling account. Students can use Wimba for academic purposes. Contact the ATC for details. Attendees do not need accounts.	All members of the community can use OCS capabilities.
Where is it available?	A videoconferencing system is installed in the TV studio in Fuller Labs. A portable system is available for videoconferencing in most locations on campus.	Wimba can be used from any location in the world with high speed Internet access. The software runs using Java and is cross-platform, cross-browser compatible.	Wherever OCS is installed.
When can it be used?	For the TV studio or portable system, contact the ATC at 508-831-5220 or atc@wpi.edu for scheduling. Access to the TV studio is limited to normal campus office hours, although arrangements may be able to be made for events outside of office hours with enough advanced notice.	Wimba can be used around the clock.	OCS can be used around the clock.
What do users technically need in order to use it?	Users at both videoconference sites need access to a videoconferencing system. WPI uses Tandberg videoconferencing systems, but the users on the other end can use any videoconference system as long as they work on the same technology platform. Contact the ATC for details. A WPI local area network Internet connection is required. A computer is not required.	System Requirements PC: Windows 98, 2000, XP, or Vista Mac: OS X Linux 128 MB RAM (256 MB is recommended) Soundcard with microphone and speakers Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.x or later, Firefox v1.5 or later, Safari 1.2 or later Other browsers (i.e. Netscape, AOL, Opera, etc.) are not supported. Monitor with 800 x 600 resolution and high color (16 bit) display definition. Java Connectivity Requirements The minimum bandwidth requirements are as follows, based on the type of event: 56 Kbps - Voice and slides only 64 Kbps - Voice, slides, and application sharing 128 Kbps - Voice, slides, application sharing, and live streaming video.	For details and requirements please see: http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/ CCC/Help/Software/ UComm/OCS/
Who do I contact to get started?	atc@wpi.edu or 508-831-5220	wimba@wpi.edu or 508-831-5220 Also, visit the Wimba Help & Support site for more details.	helpdesk@wpi.edu or 508-831-5888

Maintained by itweb@wpi.edu
Last modified: Nov 15, 2011, 15:22 EST