Instructional Television and Video Teletraining
Distance learning is a teaching and learning situation in which the instructor and the participants are geographically separated and, therefore, rely on electronic devices and print materials for instructional delivery.Some distance learning media -such as paper, video, or computer-based training - can be used at any time. Other media, such as computer conferencing or face-to-face videoconferencing, require participants and instructors to be present at the same time, although they are separated geographically.
Video teletraining and videoconferencing (when referring to meetings) use various telecommunications technology to connect sites at an average rate of 40% less than traditional costs. Each Key2Ed site is a broadcast site and a receive site during the same conference.
Key2Ed services enable distant learning to engage in broadcast quality, media-rich, interactive, real-time communications without the need to be in the same physical location. Our telelearning services also provide the ability to share; documents, education related content and other information. This is all done using existing telephone infrastructure in a completely secure environment guaranteeing confidentiality.
Although, teleconferencing is more than simple voice communication over telephone lines; it includes the transmission of still images, video, and other forms of data. Teleconferencing is a mixture of many advanced technologies including computers, communication networks, video, and specialized equipment.
We accomplish all of this through a switched on-demand broadband network. With proprietary compression technology, we produce normal video bi-directionally at 30 frames per second with no delay, a full color, no perceptible latency, and complete lip sync, all with no computer or Audio and Video are two-way; that is, persons at all sites can see one another. Persons at all sites hear the person speaking, and persons at any site may speak.
Key2Ed uses two forms of distance learning - Instructional Television (ITV) and Video Teletraining (VTT), which are conducted over Key2Ed's video teletraining network. Although both involve transmission of pictures and sound, they are very different.
ITV distributes two-way audio and video programs with all sites having the ability to interact with one another at the same time. Common sites for ITV are state and federal agencies, private industry, universities, community colleges, and public schools.
ITV programs can include semester-long university courses and short professional development programs that feature nationally known speakers. Typical Key2Ed videoconferencing uses include:
- training;
- staff and core group meetings;
- university coursework;
- K-12 course and content instruction;
- Staff development classes for various professional groups;
- special events;
- project management meetings;
- meetings with the Congress;
- briefings;
- strategic planning meetings; and
- project review meetings.
Effectiveness of Video Teletraining
Most adult students can learn regardless of their location or the technology used. In pretests, posttests, and test comparisons with traditional, instructor-led classroom training, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Army HQ Training and Doctrine Command, and the Ford Motor Company all found that participants had achieved course objectives as effectively in courses delivered through video teletraining as through classroom training. Specifically, Ford found that:- perceptually, participant
- s did not differ on course content and levels of satisfaction when the course content did not differ;
- distance learning was as effective a method for providing instruction as sitting in the university classroom and was more convenient both for the learner and his or her circumstances; and
- staff taking courses by video teletraining achieved better results than those who took them in the classroom.
Participant Reactions to Video Teletraining
Overall, participant reactions to video teletraining are positive. Basic adult learning principles still apply. Participant satisfaction is affected more by the value they see in the material than by the technology used.Participants' reactions, however, are influenced by the services and technical performance of video teletraining equipment, such as
- audio system and quality,
- timely delivery of materials,
- classroom comfort, and
- other administrative services and coordination among remote sites.
Benefits of Video Conferencing and Video Teletraining
Video conferencing can improve work and product quality, increase productivity, and reduce costs. Work and products have a higher quality because communication is greatly improved.Groups can meet more frequently, critical meetings can be convened in less time, more staff can be involved, response to changing conditions can be rapid, and staff can virtually eliminate miscommunications associated with distance.
Productivity is increased because decision-making is accelerated; decision-making is accelerated because key persons can be brought together more frequently and quickly and at critical times. Meetings tend to be run more efficiently because the time constraints imposed by reservations and room availability compel participants to plan the meeting more precisely and to stay on track. In addition, morale is improved because employee quality of life is improved - reducing travel reduces fatigue and increases personal time.
Costs are reduced because budget and staff resources can be more strategically allocated and costs associated with travel - airfare, lodging, meals, rental cars, per diem, and downtime - can be reduced.
Public school systems would benefit from videoconferencing telelearning for students who are segregated either in their home or confined to an institution or hospital. Public law requires that students participate in the least restrictive environment (with their peers). For the first time, this population will be able to participate in their regular classes with their peers at a substantial savings to the school districts. Where school districts are unable to provide instruction because they don't have a "highly qualified" (as required by federal law) certified teacher or where coursework has reduced demand (Calculus, 4th year Latin), this technology will create virtual classrooms to accommodate the students who wish to benefit from these courses.
Universities will benefit from videoconferencing by expanding their student body and creating classrooms with no walls or geographic limitations while supporting the need to students to learn in a collegial and personal atmosphere that telelearning can support. For the first time, adult non-traditional students will be able to participate in university life without disrupting their busy lives.
Participants in professional conferences who lack the time and resources for travel to conferences can participate from their home citied and workplace in outstanding programs that will enhance their learning within their chosen profession.
In addition to the benefits associated with videoconferencing, video teletraining can help manage decreasing training resources and increasing training needs in the following ways:
- new information can be disseminated more quickly;
- participants' needs can be met more quickly through just-in time training - especially for the field offices;
- more participants can be trained faster without increasing training resources;
- subject matter experts inside and outside Key2Ed can participate in training at little or no cost;
- scheduling is more flexible - course offerings can be delivered at any time during the workday; and
- participants and instructors can remain at their regular workplaces, increasing staff availability and significantly reducing travel time and costs
