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Indiana U Implements Software-Based Videoconferencing for Virtual Classrooms

Indiana University has implemented a software-based video conferencing solution to enable interactions between teachers and students in virtual classrooms using existing IT infrastructure.

The implementation is part of a major expansion of the university's distance learning services, which offers more than 175 live courses to students around the world. The technology also provides video conferencing capabilities to more than 135,000 faculty, staff and students across the university's eight campuses, according to James McGookey, manager of collaboration technologies at Indiana University.

The university selected Pexip Infinity Virtual Auditorium, a scalable, distributed video conferencing solution. According to the company, Infinity Virtual Auditorium works with standard video conferencing endpoints such as Microsoft Lync or WebRTC compatible Web browsers; supports most video codecs and standards; and offers multiple viewing modes and high definition resolution.

To use Infinity Virtual Auditorium "students simply open their Web browser or use any SIP/H.323 video client software, enter the address of the Virtual Auditorium and gain immediate access to the lecture," according to the company. Once they are logged in to the virtual classroom, they can share presentations or meet face-to-face in real time, and the software automatically toggles between speakers. Faculty, staff and students can also use the virtual meeting rooms for video, voice and data collaboration. Because Infinity Virtual Auditorium is entirely software-based, Indiana U can use its existing endpoint infrastructure and update the software as new versions become available.

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].

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