By Patrick
Pluscht, Associate Director, Center for Distributed Learning
and Scott Windham, Communication Analyst, Computing Center
Many members of the
University community may be unaware of a resource that could prove
invaluable during this time of budget cutbacks especially where
travel budgets have been slashed or eliminated.
The University of North Texas maintains 8 videoconference
classrooms on the UNT campus in Denton and 5 on the UNT-Dallas
campus. Many
departments are using these classrooms to provide course delivery to
remote sites, but there are many other possible uses.
CDL has assisted UNT community members with connections to
many locations in the United States as well as South America,
Australia, Asia, and Europe. Many
of these connections used the University’s Internet2 connection to
provide a low-cost solution. Conferences
have been used for employee interviews, dissertation defenses,
committee meetings, seminars and conferences.
Limited access is also provided to the Denton community for a
fee. Most recently job
interviews for the College of Engineering Dean were conducted by
videoconference and soon the Provost Search Committee will use this
same tool.
How it works
The network backbone
is supported by the Data Communications Unit of the Computing Center
and provides the ability to connect to virtually any standards-based
videoconference site and to host conferences with multiple sites
simultaneously. The Center for Distributed Learning (CDL) handles all of the
coordination details and staffs all videoconference sessions. Trained staff members are also available to consult with
videoconference presenters and provide practice time for newcomers.
CDL also has the ability to provide a Real Media one-way
video stream of your videoconference via the Internet.
This ability is particularly useful for individuals that do
not have videoconferencing capabilities but wish to view the
presentations. Best of
all, the videoconference room including all presentation equipment
and the room staff are provided at no charge to UNT entities.
The only fees incurred are long distance charges and remote
site room rental where applicable.
UNT maintains connections to other statewide video networks
that provide connections to many other universities and institutions
without additional cost to the requesting party. UNT is also
connected to the regional videoconference networks supported by the
Region 10 and 11 Education Service Centers and serving the
Independent School Districts in approximately 20 North Central Texas
counties.
Interested?
The
Videoconference Coordinator will work to find the lowest cost option
to connect your videoconference.
Please visit www.unt.edu/untvn
or contact Brenda Ritz at ritz@unt.edu
or 940.369.7877 for more information.
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