|
Assumption College and the Goddard
Collaborative hosted an Internet2 Video Day on March 24, 2005
in Worcester, Massachusetts. Attending the event were representatives
from Assumption College, the Goddard Collaborative, WPI, Holy
Cross, Brandeis University, Wheaton College, The Manhattan
School of Music, American Antiquarian Society, Worcester Public
Library, the Hampshire Education Collaborative and Higgins
Armory as well as personnel from Internet2, Wave3 Software
and IntelliSpace. Video conferencing connections were made
through the Internet2 Commons using both H323 and Wave3 Software’s
SIP-based Sessions.
Jonathan Tyman, Program Manager of Internet2 Commons, began the presentations
with a discussion of existing Internet2 Commons H323 services and the Commons’s
work with SIP-based protocols. Personal video conferencing services, with advantages
of cost and spontaneity, can build on the successes of room- type systems by
taking collaboration to a new level.
 Colleen
Wheeler, Wheaton College and Christianne Orto, Manhattan School
of Music jointly described some of their successes using Internet2
and video conferencing technology. They described their unique
educational offerings to students K-20 including instruction,
performance and attending remotely a master performance. They
discussed the value of the experiences by both faculty and
students.
Bob Randall, CEO
of Wave3 Software and Charles Saracino, General Manager Media
Services of IntelliSpace followed them. Bob and Charles presented
more detailed discussions of Sessions software and the promises
of the SIP protocol.
Finally, Mike Rooney,
Director of Distance Learning – Hampshire Education Collaborative
(HEC), gave an overview of his organization. Building on some
federal government grants, HEC now runs a video conferencing
network encompassing 18 school districts and 34 schools in
Western Massachusetts. Mike told the group that his teachers
and students need content, specifically professional development
programs, AP courses, and informal education programs in science,
technology, engineering and mathematics. Mike has been an active
supporter of the Massachusetts SEGP and Internet2.
 One
of the highlights of the Video Day was the fact that Mimi Royston,
Director of IT Services at Assumption and her technical staff
successfully integrated H323 and Wave3 Sessions for the conference.
Participants and presenters from California, Michigan, New
York, Worcester, Waltham and Springfield were seamlessly able
to participate whether they were using H323 or SIP-based Sessions.
|
|
