Video Conferencing Contact Information

Helpful Information

• VTel Resources
• Polycom Basic Equipment Guide
• Background Information
• Additional Resources

Background Information

VTEL or Polycom videoconferencing units have been installed in nearly every high school and ESD throughout Oregon. Many of these sites are connected through a dedicated video circuit direct to Data and Video Services in Salem. With the end of funding for SB622, some of Oregon's ESDs have opted to aggregate video connections using a regional network approach. This allows use of the existing infrastructure with data and video running over the same circuit, providing a cost savings to all participating sites.

At the state level, a centralized hub provides bridging services for multi-point conferences and scheduling software to manage use of the system by over 300 sites statewide including K12, higher education, community colleges, and several state agencies. Regional ESD hubs are located at the Jackson ESD, the North Central ESD, and at NW Regional ESD.

Northwest Regional ESD's Videoconferencing System

The system is used to connect educators throughout Oregon, creating a statewide virtual education community. Administrators meet across the miles, saving dollars, and time away from work. Many school leaders are able to attend meetings that they may not have been able to otherwise. Teachers access workshops and other professional development opportunities, including certification and licensure programs through higher education and other institutions. Many Oregon students have accessed critical content, like foreign language and advanced placement science courses. Partnerships are being formed with content providers like the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry to bring world-class opportunities to all Oregon high school students and teachers.

On December 31, 2001 funding to support the Oregon Access Network was discontinued and no longer available to support video circuits, purchase additional video equipment, or to support the Network project in any way.

NWRESD continues to provide video conference scheduling, technical support and basic training for point to point and multipoint conferences throughout its service area. Video conferencing services are extended to Multnomah ESD and Portland Public Schools through the Metro Partnership and Oregon Access Network (OAN) or Oregon Department of Education (ODE) scheduled conferences.

Additional Resources

• Virtual Teaching: An Educator's Guide, 1997

  An easy to follow guide that answers a lot of basic questions and shows different examples of video conferencing.  From the Center for Occupational Research and Development.

• Exemplary Applications of Video Conferencing in Education, 1998

  This document contains 50 award winning projects used by teachers of K-12 students throughout the United States in 1998. From the Center for Occupational Research and Development.

• Teaching with Video Conferencing: Lessons Learned

  A study report from OTIP (Oregon Technology Infusion Project) on video conferencing during the 2000-2001 school year.

• Oregon Access Network (Oregon Department of Education Website)

Web site specifically dedicated to the video conferencing network for Oregon.

• A Teacher's Guide to Videoconferencing (Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory Website)

• Center for Occupational Research and Development website

• Videoconferencing Introduction (ATT&T Knowledge Network Explorer)

Includes examples, strategies, planning and evaluation components for video conferencing.

• Electronic Field Trips (CESA 10 Wisconsin)

Contains the contact listings for national sites that offer electronic field trips.  Fees are listed.

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