Videoconferencing

   Library Videoconferencing
   Educational Videoconferencing
   WWW Articles
   Journal Articles

This resource offers annotated links to many significant sites of interest. Sites may include directories, databases, topic resources, organisations, professional and general information.

Comments and contribution to this listing are welcome.

Library Videoconferencing

 Off-Campus Library Services, University Libraries, The University of Tennessee
Used for reference and research conferences, this system allows the librarian to demonstrate the use of databases and help the distance learner with searches. A camera is not required to utilise this service. Distance learners are required to phone and make an appointment to use this service.
URL: http://aztec.lib.utk.edu/~pearls/ 

 METIS
"A new virtual interactive research service, METIS provides live access to the expert business researchers of the James J. Hill Group as well as pre-selected and qualified electronic and print information sources from around the world. Through a live video collaboration link, Metis users have full video and audio access to Hill’s business researchers who not only guide you through the online research process but also assist in applying the information to your issue. "
URL: http://www.metisnet.com/ 

Educational Videoconferencing

 BECTA Desktop Videoconferencing Resources
Contains annotated links to relevant information sources, newsgroups, email lists and hard copy reading materials.
URL: http://www.becta.org.uk/technology/desktopvc/desktop_vc/vcresrc.html 

 Distance Learning through Telematics
The University of Plymouth is investigating the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for distance learning. Students will be able to link electronically with each other, share information, collaborate and generally communicate from wherever they are in the region.
URL: http://www.fae.plym.ac.uk/tele/startmain.html 

 EDSI: Videoconferencing Projects
"Outlines a number of UK projects that ran in primary, secondary, further and higher education, looking at the use of broadband technologies - including video conferencing."
URL: http://vtc.ngfl.gov.uk/reference/edsi/topics/fvidconf.html 

 Survey of User Experience of the University of Wales Video Network
"The survey was intended to examine user attitudes and experiences, to identify particular factors leading to success and failure in video network use, and to provide a guide to good practice."
URL: http://www.man.ac.uk/MVC//SIMA/wales/toc.html 

 Video Conferencing in Higher Education
The aim of this report is to put Video Conferencing into a Learning Framework and to take a learner-centred rather than technology-centred view of the problem.
Author: Dr. Lynne Coventry, Institute for Computer Based Learning, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh
URL: http://www.man.ac.uk/MVC//SIMA/video3/contents.html 

WWW Articles

 The Creation and Delivery of a Virtual Residential Workshop at Central Queensland University Library
"Much valuable information was gained about an electronically mediated teaching environment, the socialisation of students in that environment, the performance of the software, delivery strategies necessary to support learning and the student's reactions to the environment. The paper will provide the background to the virtual residential workshop project and discuss some of the issues which will need to be addressed if the model is to be expanded. It will also discuss the plans for the enhancement of the residential school program and the role of librarians in the provision of higher education."
Authors: Debbie Orr and Judith Edwards, 1996
URL: http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/adelaide96/papers/ 

 Delivering Reference Services to Users Outside the library
Presents some of the issues and practical implications of this service – a person to person virtual information desk. I will discuss technology issues; the impact on the actual reference service and staffing issues.
Author: Karin Smith, 1999
URL: http://www.csu.edu.au/special/raiss99/papers/ksmith.html 

 Interactive Reference Service (IRS) at UC Irvine: Expanding Reference Service Beyond the Reference Desk
"Science Library librarians at the University of California, Irvine implemented a pilot "telereference" project in January 1997 designed to generate needed information about the use of real-time, face-to-face, desktop videoconferencing to conduct reference interviews with student users at a remote location. The paper describes the various planning, implementation, and service considerations, explains sample interactive sessions, and present preliminary observations."
Author: Susan Lessick, 1997
URL: http://www.ala.org/acrl/paperhtm/a10.html 

 Reference Service via Desktop Videoconferencing
Explores the nature of videoconferencing, types, its application in the Library, advantages and disadvantages of the technology.
Author: Diane Clark, 1997
URL: http://www.slis.ualberta.ca/598/dianec/videocon.htm 

 See You See A Librarian Final Report
"The See You See A Librarian Project's primary goal was to discover whether or not video conferencing technology like CU-SeeMe could be used in libraries to enhance information/knowledge services." The project took place during the Summer of 1996.
Author: Eric Morgan, 1996
URL: http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/~emorgan/see-a-librarian/ 

 The Virtual Librarian: Using Desktop Videoconferencing to Provide Interactive Reference Assistance
"This paper provides an overview of desktop videoconferencing technology, discusses the University of Michigan project, and considers the future of this technology in libraries."
Author: Kathleen M. Folger, 1997
URL: http://www.ala.org/acrl/paperhtm/a09.html 

Journal Articles

Billings, H et al. (1994). "Remote reference assistance for electronic information resources over networked workstations", Library Hi Tech, 45, Part 12:1, p77-86.

Explores how the University of Texas at Austin General Libraries successfully implemented an innovative prototype solution to the problem of providing reference assistance to users who are accessing networked information resources, and are at locations remote to the reference librarians.

de Cicco, E. (1999). "How videoconferencing can support teaching and learning", VINE, 109, p46-52

"Outlines the different types of systems available, explains what hey do and gives examples of how the systems are being used in education and libraries."

Littman, M. K. (1995). "Videoconferencing as a communications enhancement", Journal of Academic Librarianship, 21 (5), p359-364.

 

"Videoconferencing as a communications facilitator offers possibilities for the enrichment and expansion of academic library services; for example, through dispersed workgroups, or the delivery of remote personalised services. It can transform the way that library professionals work together, and can foster problem identification and strategic planning at all organisational levels.  Examples of videoconferencing in action are given."

Pagell, R. A. (1996). "The virtual reference librarian: using desktop videoconferencing for distance reference", The Electronic Library, 14, (1), p21-26.

 

Pagell describes experiments with desktop videoconferencing for the delivery of professional assistance at the Center for Business Information, Emory University Libraries, Atlanta. Librarians beta tested desktop videoconferencing as a means to deliver a distance reference service, including consultation, documentation, and training and sharing of CDROM databases.

Westwood, Karen. "Lights! Camera! Action! Use of Interactive Television in Libraries." 28 American Libraries (January, 1997):43+.

Describes Minnesota State Law Library's successful use of videoconferencing in providing reference to a remote correctional facility, finding it cost effective compared to as frequent on-site visits, high in quality, and well-received by inmates; includes related article on other interactive television experiments.