Technology - we use ISDN and can often use IP (broadband) links.
Our tutorials
We use video conferencing to link our tutors with our groups of students for their weekly tutorial sessions. This adds value to the learning process by enabling small groups of students to discuss and reflect on their week’s distance learning work. Our tutorials are not simply hour-long teaching sessions. Distance learning tutoring requires a specific approach in order to get the best from students, and tutoring via video conference link requires a particular set of skills. Over the years, Direct Education has developed a comprehensive training programme for our tutoring staff so that what you get when you buy a course from us is not simply a well qualified and experienced subject specialist, but one who knows how to make our methodology work so that students achieve their potential.
A rewarding learning experience
We find that although students may initially feel self conscious about participating in video conferenced tutorials, the technology very quickly becomes transparent and is in no way a barrier to learning. Indeed, many students who would not usually contribute in a traditional classroom setting often feel more comfortable participating in the more intimate setting of a video conferenced tutorial. In addition, we encourage students to use their video conferencing experience as a useful addition to their CVs.
Other uses for your VC equipment
Video Conferencing equipment can be used for more than your Direct Education tutorial settings. Many schools have added an extra dimension to student learning across the curriculum using their VC equipment. An example of such a use might be using your VC equipment for MFL projects by linking with schools in different countries. Additionally, many schools take advantage of VC availability to link with various museums and galleries. If your school is new to video conferencing, a good place to start is the DFES sponsored Global Leap website where you will find a wealth of information and resources to get you started.
Recommended Suppliers
We don’t sell video conference equipment but we recommend Polycom which is a well respected company and has been in business for a number of years. Having used equipment supplied by them for over nine years we have found them to be easy to handle, reliable and adaptable to our needs. Their products are compatible with most other producers’ equipment and they are very competitive on price.
With their kind permission we are able to link you directly to Polycom’s web site where you will find a presentation of video conference equipment specially designed for the education market.
VC Warehouse are a supplier of quality used VC equipment. They provide refurbished, second hand, ex-demo and liquidated video conference equipment, supplying market-leading brands usually at less than half the cost of new systems. VC Warehouse also provide a comprehensive warranty on all their systems backed up by an optional support contract.