| What is videoconferencing and how can I
use it in my classroom?
Videoconferencing is like interactive TV. You can connect 2 or
more sites with live audio and video. Videoconferencing is a terrific
way to add value to the classroom while stretching your educational
dollars. Some applications include:
Student interaction outside the classroom without leaving your "four
walls":
- Virtual Field Trips
- Career Exploration
- Expert Speakers
- Interaction with other classrooms (compare/contrast/compete)
Instructor Sharing
-
Share experiences
- Professional Development
Expanded curriculum offerings for students
Increase enrollment in "specialty courses"
The possibilities are virtually endless!
Over the past several years, RIDE funded Working Wonders grants
to place IP videoconferencing equipment in RI schools and districts.
-
There are currently nearly 40 connection points on the RI K-12
Videoconferencing network
and it continues to grow.
- Video-over-IP (also known as H.323, IP- or TCP/IP-based videoconferencing)
connects over your Internet connection. The advantage is that you
can plug into any Internet port and there are no per minute charges
associated with a standard videoconference.
- The best quality connections will be within RINET network, to
OSHEAN members (e.g., URI and Brown University), and to other Internet
2.
The following documentation is intended to "get you started"
and answer basic videoconferencing questions. The Polycom equipment
is intuitive and easy to use. For more detailed information, consult
your Polycom User Guide (available on the CD shipped with your unit).
In addition, on-line training can be found at www.polycom.com (select
support, select how-to, select video how to).
If you need additional help, contact your Local Technical Contact.
If he/she cannot help, contact Pam Christman to schedule basic,
on-site videoconferencing training for teachers and media center
staff.
Quick-Start Equipment Set-up
You will need a LAN
connection, A TV or Monitor, the Polycom FX and all its components
and a plug.
Make the following required connections as shown:
Note: actual unit/screens may differ slightly from diagrams
1) Use Orange cable to connect Orange LAN port on FX to LAN port
(in wall)
2) Use thin microphone cable to connect the first microphone to
the microphone port on the FX.
A second microphone may be connected to the first microphone, if
desired.
The microphones should be placed close to the audio source (ie.
presenter or group).
DO NOT PLACE THE MICROPHONES CLOSE TO EACH OTHER OR CLOSE TO ROOM
NOISE.
3) Connect the TV/Monitor to the FX using the S-video cable (see
diagram for FX ports).
Additional equipment: ie. camera, monitor, VCR player, DVD Player
may be connected to the other ports on the back of the Polycom.
(See User guide for more information).
4) Connect Powersupply
5) Turn Power on to all equipment.
6) Make sure there are (good) batteries in the Polycom remote control.
Using The Remote Control
The Polycom is controlled via a supplied remote control device:
Note: actual unit/screens may differ slightly from diagrams
| 1. CALL-HANGUP |
Place and disconnect calls |
| 2. FAR CAMERA |
Select the far site camera |
| 3. SLIDES |
Show a presentation |
| 4. SELECT |
Select items and advance/reverse
slides |
| 5. VOLUME |
Controls volume of Polycom |
| 6. MUTE |
Prevent the far site from hearing
the near site or vice versa |
| 7. INFO |
Get help |
| 8. MENU |
Return to previous screen |
| 9. ZOOM |
Zoom in or out on an image |
| 10. SNAPSHOT |
Take snapshots of a meeting |
| 11. DIRECTIONAL ARROW |
Move around menus and adjust camera |
| 12. AUTO |
Select auto voice-tracking camera
or track to presets |
| 13. NEAR CAMERA |
Select the near site camera |
| 14. NUMERIC KEYPAD |
Enter vide numbers. Use right arrow for dot (.)
|
Note: Use TV remote to set TV volume.
On-screen Help
To use the on screen help. Press the INFO button on remote.
Placing a Call
-
To make a Manual Video Call
- On Main Menu, Highlight Video Call
- Press CALL/HANG-UP button (GREEN)
- Enter IP address for far site (use the right arrow to enter
the "dot" in the IP address)
- Adjust the speed as necessary (768 is recommended)
- Connecting
- Watch the "ball" icon in the lower left corner
of the screen
- Viewing your own site, you will hear a simulated ringing
sound
- The ball icon will turn to green when the call connects and
display the far end site, far end name and the connect speed
If the call fails, check to make sure you have the right IP address
and that the far end is turned on and ready to accept your call.
If problems persist, consult the troubleshooting guide.
Ending a Call
During call, press Green CALL HANG-UP button
Controlling the Videoconference
Consult your Polycom User Guide or www.polycom.com
for more information
-
Adjusting the sound
- Adjust Volume button on the Remote and on the TV monitor
- Select the Video Source
- Main Camera
- Document Camera
- VCR/DVD Player
- Computer
- Adjusting the Main camera -
- Press NEAR for local camera, FAR for remote camera (only on point
to point call)
- Manually Zoom and move directional/arrow buttons, as desired
- Using Camera Presets:
- Setting: Zoom/move camera, press SELECT button, press a number
0-9 to enter preset.
- Accessing: During videoconference, press NEAR button, then
press preset number 0-9
- Voice Tracking - camera automatically moves to talking person
- Press NEAR (or FAR) button, then press AUTO
- To turn off voice tracking, press NEAR (OR FAR) then PRESS
AUTO button again
Maintaining the Address Book
- At Main Menu, select Address Book.
Work with New, Edit, and Delete using the on-screen keyboard.
Trouble Shooting Guide
| Cannot Connect |
|
| Verify electrical power to all components |
|
| Ensure Polycom unit is powered on |
Should see a green light on front of Polycom
unit |
| Verify all cable connections are correct and
secure |
Polycom
Quick Guide |
| If system does not respond to remote |
Replace remote batteries |
| Ensure unit has an IP assigned |
See "MY IP: xxx.x.xx.xxx on main screen |
| Verify Internet Connectivity to Polycom |
Ping from a computer inside your firewall.Ping
from a computer outside your firewall.(note: if ping inside
firewall works and ping outside fails, you have a firewall problem. |
| Try to make a test call |
Suggested test call sites. Take notes on how
call progresses. |
| If test call works, check to make sure you
are calling the correct IP and that far end is on and set to
auto-answer. |
If far end cannot verify their IP, have them
call you. |
| If test call fails, reboot Polycom |
Hang-up call (even if you don't think you're
connected). Turn off power. Wait 60 seconds. Turn power back
on. |
| Contact Site LAN POC to verify LAN is working
properly and ask if any changes have been made to the network
since the last successful call (consult your Polycom Usage Log).
|
|
| Try to make a test call again |
If call fails again, contact Pam Christman
at RINET at 295-9200 x3 (have your unit's IP ready). |
| Audio works; No video |
|
| Is TV/Monitor set to the display the video
? |
Set to Channel 3 (or 4) and press TV/Video
on TV remote |
| Verify Main input is set to Room Camera |
Select near on Polycom remote.Select camera
icon |
Is correct Camera input used - RCA or S-Video (not both) |
|
Hang-up and retry call |
If call fails again, contact Pam Christman
at RINET at 295-9200 x3 (have your unit's IP ready). |
Video works; No audio |
|
Are Monitor speakers turned on? |
Turn up volume on Monitor and on Polycom Remote |
| Is the far end site muted? |
Look for microphone icon with red circle slash,
that means the microphone is muted will indicate near/far or
both. |
Check that viewstation audio output is connected to the correct
input of the Monitor
|
|
| If audio still not working |
Contact Pam Christman at RINET at 295-9200
x3 (have your unit's IP ready). |
Unit repeatedly reboots itself |
ou may need to reclaim your Flash memory. To
do this, turn off the viewstation. Press and hold the button
on the top right of the view station. Turn on the view station
(keep holding the button). Continue to hold the button until
you see the message "Flash Reclaimed". |
For more detailed information, consult the RINET
User Guide, your Polycom user guide (CD shipped with Polycom Unit)
or visit www.polycom.com, select
support, select how-to, select video how to.
RINET Recommended Videoconferencing Test Sites
RINET recommends using the following site to make test calls. These
sites are usually turned on and set to auto-answer mode. If you
cannot reach these sites, call the local contact or try additional
sites on the
RINET K-12 Videoconferencing Contact Lists
| LOCATION |
IP ADDRESS
|
CONTACT |
CONTACT PHONE |
| RINET Conference Room |
131.109.142.51 |
Pam Christman |
295-9200 x213 |
| RIDE Classroom |
131.109.175.51 |
Pam Christman |
295-9200 x213 |
| RIDE Conference Room |
131.109.160.51 |
Pam Christman |
295-9200 x213 |
|
