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Videoconferencing at Skidmore

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Professor Dan Nathan and students using the Tandberg MXP-6000 for a face to face discussion with college students in the Czech Republic.

Videoconferencing is available to allow users to communicate with each other in real time from distant locations. The support for videoconferencing at Skidmore is a collaborative effort between Academic Technologies, Media Services, and Network and Technical Services. We assist faculty with identifying and implementing  videoconferencing solutions using a variety of approaches.
 
For faculty interested in hosting a videoconference for a course, we recommend Ben Harwood (Academic Technologies) be your first point of contact. Videoconferencing requires planning and testing in advance in order to be successful. Please refer to the checklist toward the bottom of this page as you prepare your event.

Videoconferencing scenarios:

  • Desktop: a person at Skidmore connects with someone elsewhere; (Skype or iChat recommended)
  • Classroom: a person or small group of people at Skidmore connect with someone or a small group elsewhere; (Skype or Tandberg recommended)
  • Large Class/Auditorium: a professor and class connect with a class elsewhere. (Tandberg recommended)

For desktop videoconferencing, we recommend the use of Skype (Mac or PC) or iChat (Mac). Skype and iChat can work well in one-to-many settings when connecting with a colleague or bringing a guest speaker into your class. It is available on the Internet free of charge and you can install it on your computer. If you have any questions about Skype, please contact Ben Harwood.

For classroom and auditorium-type environments, the Tandberg MXP-6000 videoconference unit is the device of choice. If you would like to bring a guest speaker into your class or you will be communicating with another class or a panel of speakers, then we recommend using the Tandberg instead of Skype. The Tandberg provides better resolution and is capable of high definition, however, the location you want to connect to also has to have access to an H.323 compliant videoconferencing unit. The Tandberg allows you to project your desktop to a remote audience, providing the ability to share a presentation while connected. In order to provide adequate time for planning and testing, we kindly ask for a minimum of two weeks advance notice in order to accommodate your request.

Essential information to share with others about our videoconference capabilities:
  • We can connect with most H.323 videoconference units
  • Skidmore's Tandberg IP address is 74.202.83.139
  • Contact Ben Harwood (bharwood@skidmore.edu) to arrange a test connection.

Once a videoconferencing solution is determined:

Someone from Academic Technologies or Media Services will arrange a test connection with the remote location. On the day of the scheduled videoconference, we will deliver any necessary equipment, set it up at the location, test for functionality, and assist the faculty member with any questions or support issues. We will also be available at the start of the scheduled videoconference to provide any necessary support.

  1. When planning a videoconference, consider the following:
  2. Where is the videoconference being held at Skidmore?
  3. What is the expected size of audience?
  4. Is the videoconference being held for academics or administrative purposes?
  5. Is the videoconference originating from off campus?
  6. Will you need a computer delivered?   
  7. Is a telephone necessary for the audio portion?
  8. Will you require the incoming video image to be projected on a large screen?
  9. Will you need to send a video image back to the external site?
  10. Do you have specific information as to the URL, IP address, telephone number, or other information pertaining to the conference?
  11. Have you forwarded all this information to Media Services along with completing a Media Services equipment delivery form?

 ** Please note that video conferencing usually needs advanced work to ensure that all systems are communicating properly.  This often requires a test connection to be run a few days before the actual conference to allow time to correct any problems.  We require at least a week’s notice of any conference to ensure the best opportunity for its successful operation. **

Videoconferencing Resources:

Virtual meetings - 7 things you should know about...series. Educause Learning Initiative.
Skype - 7 things you should know about... series. Educause Learning Initiative.

For more information about videoconferencing, please contact Ben Harwood