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Washington State University: Video Bridging the Digital Divide
11/1/2002
"Not only are we able to hold a number of classes over our IP video network every semester, we find it extremely useful for our multi-campus committee and administrative meetings," says Cross. "Being able to meet by video greatly reduces travel time between campuses for faculty and students. As the quality of service for IP networks continues to improve, we plan on leveraging the cost-savings benefits of IP video to expand the number of classes we offer over the network."
The university uses Polycom's ViewStation 128 group videoconferencing systems and its ViaVideo desktop video communications appliances to enable real-time, interactive communication between students and faculty. The systems allow participants to share documents through multimedia presentation tool support. Presenters can use an assortment of popular meeting tools including VCRs, document cameras, and white boards, and can leverage computer presentation programs such as Microsoft Power Point, Macromedia presentation programs, Web browsers, and other PC applications.
For connectivity, the WECN IP network relies on 768 connections on Internet2.
Moving Ahead
Cross measures the success of the network in terms of usage, and he has
seen tremendous results. IP traffic alone has increased 500 percent over
last year. "WSU faculty and students alike have embraced the networks,"
says Cross. "Students benefit from exposure to a broader array of faculty
members, and faculty can share their knowledge with a larger and more
diverse pool of students. All participants agree that the added diversity
benefits classroom interaction."
In 2001 WSU's College of Agriculture and Home Economics created the "Center to Bridge the Digital Divide." The mission of the Center is to assist people, communities and government agencies to overcome telecommunication disparities. This will take place through education, community projects, applied research, and policy analysis. The center uses the resources of the two established video conference networks. Initially, the Center will focus on Washington state, but the vision is for the Center to become a national resource.
For more information, contact Randy Cross at rcross@wsu.edu.
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