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2020-2021

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Videoconferencing &
Virtual Field Trips
Videoconferencing and Virtual Field Trips

The NERIC Distance Learning and Video Conferencing Program provides the opportunity for districts to participate in video conferences and
virtual field trips offered at he district level and through third party providers.
Connect Your Students and Your Schools to a World of Educational Opportunity!

A variety of new video technologies offer more possibilities for multi-school collaborations, and professional activities than ever before.

The NERIC DL/Videoconferencing coordiation and support staff are available to assist with each step in planning and implementing your conference

Some examples of the use of video conferencing include:

  • Enrichment Programs
  • Virtual Field Trips
  • College Courses
  • Guest Speakers
  • College Visits
  • Cultural Exchange Programs
  • Interviews with Authors
  • Staff Development
  • Teacher Mentoring
  • Video Pen-Pals
  • Career Awareness Workshops
  • Community Programs
  • Inter-District Debates
  • Certification Workshops
  • Inter/Intra District Departmental Meetings

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    Technical Overview of Videoconferencing
    Videoconferencing requires that at each connecting end of the conference there is at least a video monitor, camera, speaker and microphone.

    The equipment may be configured in many different ways: a complete television studio, an all-in-one portable videoconferencing unit or an integrated Distance Learning classroom.

    There must also be a system to transmit the audio/video signals between the sites.

    Videoconferencing connections are generally made using IP.

    IP (Internet Protocol)     is videoconferencing over the Internet. IP videoconferencing sites can connect through either a closed IP network, such as a district local area network (LAN) or a regional wide area network (WAN), or an open IP network, such as the public Internet. IP-based videoconferencing has grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years as the Internet becomes more sophisticated and mature. Another term for IP videoconferencing is H.323 videoconferencing.

    		 

    Scheduling Conferences


    Virtual Field Trips
    A virtual field trip typically involves a classroom in one location and a content provider, such as a zoo or a museum.

    Classroon-To-Classroom conferences also use these same proceedures.

    You can find step-by-step directions on how to plan and schedule a virtual field trip here.

    Mulit-Point Video Conference
    Any administrative or instructional videoconference that involves three or more
    endpoints is considered a Multi-Point Videoconference.

    When scheduling a Videoconference, you must first determine the type of conference. This is usually based on
    the number of sites participating. In general, there are two (2) types of videoconferences,

    (1) Virtual Field Trip or Point-to-Point (which includes classroom-to-classroom conferences)

    (2) Multi-Point - Three or more sites. In most cases these conferences will require a multi-point videoconferencing bridge.

    For information and/or for a reservation form please click here.

    Current Video Conference Sites

     NERIC currently supports over 65 districts and more than 400 video conference units

    Choosing a Content Provider

    There are hundreds of virtual field trip/videoconferencing content providers. BOCES Videoconferencing Services maintains
    a listing of content providers with which our regional videoconferencing schools have connected.

    Evaluations submitted by our schools in northeastern New York State provide the basis for our recommendations.

    We highly recommend that you also see the VC Content Providers - Third Party Databases below.

    These are very useful in searching through the thousands of available virtual field trips and videoconferences.

           
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