Using Videoconferencing, Streaming PowerPoint, RealAudio and RealVideo; Using CD-ROMs, DVDs, SMIL and other multimedia
www.accc.uic.edu/itl/conf2002/garay/digitalvideo

Why should we use digital video (audio) in the classroom?

1. to provide alternate means of communication
2. to make instructional materials more accessible
3. multimedia engages today's students
   
   
4. sometimes, it is the best way to deliver knowledge
5. to bring in coveted speakers, live or on-demand
6. to facilitate collaborative work of study groups

Do not use digital video...

1. streamed or downloadable when only conventional telephone/56K modem connections are available (consider distributing CDs or DVDs)
2. to simply provide long/sequential (90-minute or more) video content in digital format — you need to break up the content into small digestible clips, and make it interactive!
3. for the sake of just using technology; use video only when necessary

What do learners need to experience digital video and audio content?

1. a modern multimedia-ready computer: 500MHz+ Pentium III or better
2. broadband (cablemodem or DSL) bandwidth for live and on-demand video playback
3. RealAudio works fine over traditional telephone/28.8K modem connections (including. streamed PowerPoint presentations)
   
   
4. computers with CD-ROMs to use high-bandwidth applications off-line
5. access to DVD players to experience interactive video
6. H.323/IP videoconferencing systems to participate in point-to-point and multi-point videoconferences over the Internet

What is required to develop multimedia class materials?

1. for simple/short (under 5 minute) projects, a 500MHz+ personal computer, with 256MB of RAM, 40GB+, CD-ROM writer, Zip (Jaz) drive(s), video digitizing board, decent network connection ($3,000)
   
   
2. for intermediate (under 30 minute) projects, a similar machine as above, with twice the RAM and disk space capacity, inc. fast SCSI hard drives ($5,000)
   
   
3. for full-length high-quality video production, including DVD authoring, dual Pentium III or IV PCs, 1GB RAM, hundreds of gigabyte of very fast SCSI RAID hard drives, DVD-R burners, and high-end video editing and DVD authoring software ($15,000). The ITL has these systems available for use by UIC faculty and support staff
   
   
4. miscellaneous considerations:
   
   
   • a lot less is needed for digital audio production, like RealAudio, or very short video clips.
     
     
   • the notion that quality digital video production is extremely expensive ($10Ks, $50K+) is a myth; broadcast-quality video can be produced with the aforementioned systems
     
     
   • pay attention to copyright and intellectual property issues associated with multimedia development
     
     
   • if you have any questions, please contact the ITL

What is required to deliver multimedia content?

1. a high-capacity streaming server, like the UIC RealMedia (RealSystem 8/IQ) Streaming Server operated by the ITL
   
   
2. high-volume in-house CD-ROM duplication system, available at the ITL
   
   
3. H.323 multi-point (MCU) videoconferencing servers, already in production at ACCC for the entire UIC campus
   
   
4. H.323 videoconferencing systems available in conference rooms and for portable/check-out use. UIC has a number of conference rooms outfitted with Polycom ViewStation 512 H.323 videoconferencing units, available throughout campus
   
   
5. an ubiquitous high-speed campus backbone with access to high-speed networks, like Internet 2, Abilene and STARTAP, which most Research I institutions like UIC and UIUC already have.
   
   

Examples