Throughout the report, videoconferencing is taken as referring to “any activity which requires communication involving live video images being transmitted from one location to another”. In almost all applications, this also includes the transmission of audio and sometimes includes the transmission of data.
The authors recognise that this definition of videoconferencing is a very broad one, including activities that elsewhere may not be referred to as videoconferencing; e.g. videotelephony, TV-type broadcasting and surveillance. They have been included here because, in higher education, there seems to be an acceptance that all these diverse activities have a similar base and are usually referred to under the same umbrella heading of videoconferencing.
Chapter 1 gives a general guide to using videoconferencing. It is intended to be of use to those thinking of using videoconferencing as well as those who are wanting to improve the facilities they already use. It will also be helpful for people who offer a service to others.
Chapter 2 reviews the services (including networks and equipment) that are currently available and points to sources of further information.
Chapter 3 reports the results of a survey carried out specifically for this docu ment and describes the ways in which videoconferencing is currently being used in higher education, ways in which it is being funded, possible future uses and advice that existing users give to those who may be just starting out.
The Appendices form a very valuable reference resource and include:
Graphics Multimedia Virtual Environments Visualisation Contents