ShareGlossary
Video Conferencing
alias
An alternative identification for an e.164 dialing address as part of the statewide IP voice and video dialing plan. (Also see e.164)
analog signals
The analog signal that is used to transmit audio and video represents variable measurable quantities (e.g., voltage) and is still used in most television, radio, and telephone lines, though slowly being phased out for more efficient digital technology. The video codec equipment in most UEN IVC video end sites coverts the digital signal received from the UEN IVC system and converts the digital signals to analog to be displayed on monitors and projectors in the room.
application
How you make use of a technology. For example, utilizing IVC for instruction is one application of the videoconferencing technology. As you learn more about the functions of the technology itself, you’ll use this knowledge and your skills to design, use, and evaluate IVC-based programs for teaching and learning. Application is also commonly used as a generic reference to computer software, particularly end-user software such as a word-processing program or spreadsheet.
archived video stream
A stored, compressed video file accessible for late reference from a central server locally or through a browser interface.
asynchronous communication
Virtual learning now occurs in many forms. Asynchronous (not at the same time) or synchronous (immediate and face-to-face) communication between teachers and students or student to student. In the case of videoconferencing, communication occurs in synchronous fashion. In the case of online or Internet-based instruction, interaction occurs in a matter that is asynchronous – not simultaneous and not occurring real time. Examples of asynchronous communication include e-mail, e-mail lists, and bulletin boards.
bandwidth
Bandwidth refers to the capacity of your communication network to exchange data between two nodes on the network. Bandwidth capacity determines the amount of data – whether it is video, audio, or text – that can be transmitted through network channels in a given amount of time.
bridge
If you’re conducting a videoconference with more than two sites participating, the bridge, also called the MCU (multipoint control unit), connects the sites so that they can all communicate and interact at the same time.
bytes
Bytes, not to be confused with bits, are units of data used to represent a single letter, number, or typographic character, or to encode a single, discrete instruction for a larger program or visual image. A byte is typically eight bits long in modern-day computers, but sometimes more and sometimes less. Bytes are used to describe memory storage capacity, while bits are typically used in reference to data transfer rates (how fast data are passed from one component or another).
circuit
A closed path through which electrical currents can flow; a configuration of electrically connected components or devices
codec; encoder/decoder
Short for encoder-decoder, this device is the part of your IVC system that encodes or decodes audio and video signals. It can be used to convert analog signals to digital signals and vice versa. It works much like the modem on you desktop computer.
complex site
A UEN-IVC end site equipment package designed for event origination.
constrained paths
A circuit is considered to be constrained and therefore eligible for Class-based Priority Queuing when the 95 TH percentile of peak traffic exceeds 60% of circuit bandwidth.
constructivist instructional theory
A theory of learning which posits that learners construct an understanding of the world through the process of acquiring knowledge and reflecting on actual experiences. According to this theory, learning is an active and social process, not static accumulation of data and skills.
content provider
A formal or informal educational agency that provides educational content to K-12 schools through interactive videoconferencing.
crestron: Crestron GUI, Crestron Pad, Crestron Profile…
A computer program with a touch screen or GUI interface for a PC used to operate equipment at Complex EDNET sites for origination of IVC events.
Crestron Control Panel
A special computerized touch screen used to operate IVC end site equipment.
data network
An informal name for a digital network used exclusively to send data (e-mail, databases, documents, etc.) without the inclusion of video and audio. Data networks can interconnect with other networks and can contain subnetworks.
data ports
A point on your local area network (LAN) where you can plug in a device and gain access to the resources available on the network.
digital signals
Audio and video signals represented by discrete variations, rather than continuously variable analog signals.
distance delivery
Instruction provided via computer or other electronic technology to learners separated by distance or time, or both.
distance education
An instructional program where the teacher and student are separated by physical space or time, or both. A variety of educational media can be employed – from workbooks or assignments (sent by mail), to Web-based learning environments, to high-end, room sized IVC systems. Some distance education programs employs synchronous teaching and learning techniques, while others employ asynchronous teaching and learning techniques.
distributed learning
Virtual learning that makes use of mixed or multimedia tools to bridge the distance between teacher and learner. Such tools include videoconferencing, online instruction, e-mail, broadcast video, telephone, Internet, and video streaming.
dual stream/dual content; aka as Duo-Video on the UEN-IVC System
The ability of certain IP Video codec’s to simultaneously send and receive both motion video and VGA level still graphics.
E.164
An ITU (International Technology Union) recommendation for telephone numbering or numbering scheme allowing up to 15 digits. (also refer to Alias)
early adopter
Teachers who come forward right away to experiment with emerging educational technologies and use them in their classrooms.
EDNET
The previous moniker used by UEN to describe the UEN-IVC Distance Learning System.
emerging technologies
Electronic tools and systems new to the field that have not yet been integrated or standardized.
end users
In a network situation, each participating site and its participants are end users. They are, in essence, the “customers” of the network, using the hardware and software services offered by the network.
e-Rate
A program established as a result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, e-Rate provides schools and libraries discounted telecommunications and other technologies.
external devices
Also referred to as “system peripherals,” there are pieces of equipment – such as VCR’s, electronic whiteboards, and document cameras – that add features to an IVC system.
facilitator
The on-site individual who assists students during a videoconference and helps them learn from a virtual teacher in either a synchronous or asynchronous situation.
far-sites
Remotely located classrooms; end points of a multipoint interactive videoconference.
56K
This is the abbreviation for the highest possible data transmission rate currently available over regular phone lines. It stands for 56,000 bits per second, or 56kbps. “Switched 56K service” allows end users for dial up and transmit information at a rate of up to 56,000 bits per second.
gatekeeper
A device that provides address resolution, access control and other services to endpoints on an H.323 network.
gateway
This is the point on a network that serves as an entrance to another network, allowing several distributed networks to work together. Gateways are fundamental to the free-flowing of information both through the Internet and during videoconferencing.
H.323
A video compression/ communication standard, H.323 is a algorithm that ensures the interoperability of IVC units, no matter the brand name, manufacturer, or vendor. This standard was developed by a consortium of networking experts via an International Telecommunications Union study group.
hub
A device that provides a common connection point between devices on a network, where data converges from one or more directions and is then sent out again in one or more directions.
hybrid course
A course of study composed of both traditional and virtual-learning elements.
interactive videoconferencing (IVC)
Two-way video and audio communication supported by a computer network or digital phone line that facilitates interaction between people in two (point-to-point) or more (multipoint) locations, creating a virtual classroom or conference room.
Internet
A worldwide network of networks, comprising telephone wires, fiber optics, satellite transmissions, and other various technologies, first developed in the 1960s by the U.S. Department of Defense. Today, the Internet connects the networks of business, schools, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and so forth. There are hundreds of millions of users in hundreds of countries around the world.
infrastructure
The sum of the physical hardware and software that makes up your videoconferencing network, allowing end users to utilize the audio and video components to communicate with people located at one or more remote sites. The hardware may include such transmission media as phone lines, cable lines, fiber optics, or satellite systems. It also includes routers, bridges, gateways, aggregators, cameras, microphones, monitors, and the software used to send and receive telecommunication signals.
IP address
An address on a network that identifies a particular computer or communication device. Each IP address is unique and generally has four decimal numbers. For an IP-based (Internet) videoconference, this address works like a Web site URL, dialing the system into the conference. For a point-to-point IVC, you can dial the other site’s IP number directly, much like a phone call, avoiding use of your network’s bridging services.
ISDN
ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network, a digital phone line that allows the integrated transmission of voice, video, and data, facilitating global interaction via a set of protocol and interface standards.
IT manager
The information technology manager is the person in the district who oversees all aspects of managing and processing information. IT managers are usually the go-to person for technology-related issues and the decisions that drive technology programs.
Mbps (megabits per second)
A data transmission rate measured in bits per second (bps), applied in multiplier prefixes of kilo (K, or 1,000), mega (M, or 1,000,000), or giga (G, or 1,000,000,000). Therefore, 56 Kbps represents 56,000 bits per second.
MCU
MCU stands for multipoint control unit. Also frequently referred to as the “bridge,” the MCU is a computerized, automated switching system that allows more than two IVC sites to participate in an instructional videoconference at the same time.
modality
A manner of teaching; a structure for sharing knowledge.
modem
A piece of hardware that allows your computer to interact with other computers across telephone lines. It converts digital signals from the Internet to analog signals that travel on phone lines.
multipoint videoconference
More than two end sites participating in an interactive videoconference. The conference must be switched through a multipoint control unit (MCU), commonly referred to as a “bridge.”
NAT (Network Address Translation)
A method of converting private internal IP addresses to registered public IP addresses (and optionally their associated ports) and visa versa.
net generation
Young people (generally between the ages of 12 and 25) who regardless of their ability to surf the Internet are familiar and comfortable with a variety of computer and digital technologies.
network backbone
The central communication path shared by other nodes or access networks connected to it.
NOC (UEN Network Operations Center )
The location within the UEN organization where network activities are supervised, monitored and maintained. The NOC serves as the central point of coordination and communication for network support.
non-constrained paths
A circuit whose 95 th percentile of peak traffic is less then 60% of its available bandwidth.
peripheral
An external device such as a VCR, electronic whiteboard, or document camera that adds features and provides input to an IVC system.
picture-in-picture (PIP)
Like an inset on a map, PIP displays on the television monitor a simultaneous live broadcast of an IVC far-site (or of the home-site if you are operating with only one monitor)
point-to-point videoconference
An IVC event that includes only two participating sites. In most cases, the connection is made using a direct-dial call that does not require the use of a bridge or a multipoint control unit.
powered-on system
An IVC unit that is turned on and ready to participate in a videoconference. All components must be turned on and operable, including monitors, sound systems, and communication systems, making the participating end point accessible by network personnel or one remote-site caller.
preconfigured settings; codec or in room equipment
Prior to use in an IVC event when your video site equipment is installed it is pre-configured based on UEN standardized configurations for each type of site and intended use. Also prior to participating in an IVC event, cameras and microphones should be aligned for optimal interaction during the videoconference using the Crestron Control Panel (Complex Sites) or video codec handheld remote control. Crestron Panels and handheld remote control units control the tilt and zoom features of the end site camera(s). Pre-set camera positions can be set manually for each events distinct needs.
proxy (H.323)
Computer servers that provide a connection intermediary between H.323 endpoints. A proxy can provide a single point for connection requests for a multitude of services and offer an additional layer of security by masking source addresses to external networks.
QoS (Quality of Service)
The concept of reserving selected network resources and characteristics in order to provide a certain degree of dependability and performance for high bandwidth continuous transmission applications such as video and multimedia information.
real-time access
Two-way, live, simultaneous communication; synchronous communication.
remote sites
Also referred to as “far-sites,” these are the IVC participant sites that are located a distance away from your own site, or “home-site.”
scan converter
Accepts data (e.g., video) from one format and converts it to another format. In videoconferencing technology, a scan converter typically converts a digital signal from a computer into an analog signal that can be displayed on a regular television monitor. Its particular role is to convert computer video scan rates (how many times per second the image is refreshed, or repainted, on the screen) to scan rates for TV video.
segment
A portion of your videoconference dedicated to a particular topic, media, or modality.
standard data rate
Videoconference networks set a standard rate of data delivery. This can range from 128bps to 384bps to 512 bps to greater. A minimum standard of quality in videoconferencing systems today is 384bps. For an optimal IVC, each system must be set at the same standard data rate.
streaming (video stream)
Delivery of a compressed video file over an IP connection such as the Internet or an Intranet. The streaming process allows end users to view the file without first downloading it onto their own computer. The video is stored only temporarily on the viewer’s computer (although users can also save the file onto their hard drive if they wish).
synchronous communication
Two-way interaction between teacher and learner in real time. There’s no time delay in synchronous communication.
teacher of record
In a virtual learning class, this is the teacher who delivers the class and assigns the grade. The teacher may or may not be on staff in the student’s home district.
telecommunications
Systems that transport information over a distance, sending and receiving audio, video and data signals through electronic means.
tent sign
A heavy piece of paper folded in half so that it will stand up, displaying student, teacher, or site name. A tent sign facilitates communication when multiple sites are involved in a videoconference.
test call
A trial call between videoconference sites prior to a scheduled IVC to ensure that the participating sites are interoperable.
3-D simulation
A computerized representation of real-world phenomena in three-dimensional format. For example, 3-D ultrasounds provide a three-dimensional view of an internal organ without invasive surgery.
T-1
This symbol represents a transmission bit rate of 1.544 million bits per second. It’s equivalent to the ISDN transmission rate. In Europe, the T-1 transmission rate is 2.048 million bits per second. This term is often used as shorthand for an Internet connection that permits the data to transfer at this rate.
transparent technology
Seamless utilization of instructional technology tools where the focus of the lesson is solely on the content rater than on the delivery method.
two-way interaction
In a videoconference, this means that both or all participating sites have use of audio and video communication tools; all sites can see and hear each other.
vendor
A retailer or wholesaler of products such as educational technology hardware and software.
virtual classroom
A method of course delivery via Web-based instruction, online sources, CD-ROMs, videos, and/or videoconferencing. The delivery of the course content takes place from a distance, and the teacher is separated from the students by space or time, or both.
virtual course delivery
A method of course delivery via Web-based instruction, online sources, CD-ROMs, videos, and/or videoconferencing. The delivery of the course content takes place from a distance, and the teacher is separated from the students by space or time, or both.
virtual field trip
A simulated, real-time field trip. In the case of videoconferencing, students interact in a live event with a remotely located field trip host.
virtual learning
Employing information and communication technologies to deliver instruction. Virtual learning is a term frequently used interchangeably with distance learning, online learning, e-learning, or Web-based learning.
virtual learning environments
A learning environment where teacher and student are separated by time or space, or both, and the teacher provides course content through course management applications, multimedia resources, the Internet, videoconferencing, and so forth. Students receive the content and communicate with the teachers through the same technologies.
virtual simulation
A computerized, 3-D replication of a real-world object or event.
virtual student
A learner who, through electronic means, accesses courseware and instruction, learns concepts and content, asks questions of a remote teacher, and sends the remote teacher work for assessment purposes.
virtual teacher
An instructor who, through electronic means, provides courseware and instruction, responds to students’ questions, and provides feedback and course assessment.
TSSC (UEN Technical Services Support Center)
The location within the UEN organization where video-conferencing and certain network support activities are supervised, monitored and maintained. The TSSC serves as the central point of coordination and communication for the UEN-IVC System and End Site support.
Web-based learning
Often referred to as online education, this is a course of study delivered via the Internet (or more specifically, the World Wide Web). Students have electronic access to the teacher and other students through e-mail, electronic bulletin boards, online chat rooms, e-mail lists, and so forth. A specific Web site is set up that allows students access to course materials and assignments in an “anytime/ anyplace” learning environment. In most cases, this is exclusively an asynchronous exchange between teacher and student.
Webcasting
A transmission of sound and images via the World Wide Web.
wireless networks (Wi-Fi)
A network protocol that enables online content to be viewed via wireless devices, such as cell phones, laptop computers, and handhelds.
World Wide Web
A smaller network within Internet1, the World Wide Web is a portion of the Internet comprised of a constellation of networked resources. Its Internet servers utilize HTTP to transfer documents and multimedia files formatted in hypertext markup language (HTML). Not all servers on the Internet are part of the World Wide Web.
* Reprinted with permission from Videoconferencing for K-12 Classrooms: A Program Development Guide, copyright ©2004, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), iste@iste.org. All rights reserved.
College Curriculum
The curriculum refers to the subject area of this course (e.g., Social Studies; Physical Science).
Comments
The comments are special instructions pertaining to this particular course (e.g., Jordan School District B-Day course).
Contact
The contact is the person who can be contacted by a student, parent, or school counselor who may have a question about this particular course.
Core (K-12)
Core means that this course fulfills a “core” high school graduation requirement.
Course Description
This is a description of a particular course (e.g., For BIOL 1010 here is a description - Principles and methods of biology and how they impact the daily life and environment of the individual).
Course#
The course number is the abbreviated subject area with a number that is assigned by the institution offering the course (e.g., MATH 1050; ENGL 1010).
Credit Types
The credit type is the type of credit a student can earn by taking a particular course. For example, high school students can earn high school units for completing a high school class. College students can earn college credits for completing a college class.
Dates (Start – End)
The term start – end dates are when the course starts and ends (e.g., 01/03/2007 - 04/28/2007)
Days - Time
The day and time is when the course will be taught (e.g., Mon: 7:00 AM - 7:50 AM, Wed: 7:00 AM - 7:50 AM, Fri: 7:00 AM - 7:50 AM).
Delivery Method
The delivery method refers to technology that will be used to deliver this particular course (e.g., UEN-IVC, Satellite, UEN-TV, etc.).
Delivery Provider
The delivery provider is the institution that is offering this particular course (e.g., San Juan School District; Utah Valley State College)
Elective (K-12)
Elective means that this course fulfills an “elective” high school graduation requirement.
Hours
The hours refer to the number of credits or units a student can earn. (e.g., a student can earn 1.0 high unit for successfully completing the HEALTH 8563 – Medical Anatomy & Physiology course. A college student can earn 3.0 college credits for successfully completing the HIST 1700 – American Civilization course).
Instructor
The instructor is the person who will be teaching this particular course (e.g, John Smith).
IVC
Interactive Video Conferencing includes the following UEN delivery systems: 1) Ednet, 2) Satellite, and IP Video.
K-12 Core
Core means that this course fulfills a “core” high school graduation requirement.
K-12 Elective
Elective means that this course fulfills an “elective” high school graduation requirement.
Prerequisites
If there are any prerequisites for a student to take a course, they will be listed here (e.g., MATH 1010).
Provider
The provider is the institution that is offering this particular course (e.g., San Juan School District; Utah Valley State College)
Term Start – End Dates
The term start – end dates are when the course starts and ends (e.g., 01/03/2007 - 04/28/2007)
Time
The day and time is when the course will be taught (e.g., Mon: 7:00 AM - 7:50 AM, Wed: 7:00 AM - 7:50 AM, Fri: 7:00 AM - 7:50 AM).
Title
The course title is the name of the course is assigned by the institution offering the course (e.g., College Algebra; Introduction to Chemistry).
USOE 11-digit Code
The 11-digit code is the number assigned to this particular course by the Utah State Office of Education. This code dictates what type of credit this course offers.
(Update 11/2008)