When Walt Disney visualized his "It's a Small World" attraction, he probably had no idea just how right the sentiment would become. Technology has made the world smaller by closing distances and opening doors to worlds that once were only topics in text books. Once limited to point on point, videoconferencing can now support multiple participants. Video conferencing is the latest technology that is quickly closing the international gap.
The New Uses of Video Design
It seems that video conferencing has gained popularity with everyone; home and abroad. The birth of multipoint conferencing has made the entire system more practical and efficient. Businesses, families and even medical personnel are all taking advantage of the benefits of video conferencing.
The medical field is utilizing video conferencing in new and marvelous ways. Due to its capabilities in speed, video conferencing can send files and images across the world in minutes. Consultations and diagnostics can be discussed with specialist anywhere in order to help a patient. People in remote regions that don't have access to medical care can finally make contact with a doctor or nurse. Even Paramedics can use the real time benefit of video conferencing to help patients better during transportation. Many diagnostic tools can even be linked with the video feed in order to send immediate results.
Educational Institutions are also experimenting with the uses of video conferencing in their curriculum. Campuses are always looking for ways to optimize the efficiency of the standard educational system. The size of lecture halls is a limiting factor in class size. No matter how big a hall is, there is only so much room. Availability is a major issue as well. Most lecturers who need to travel either must cancel class or find another professor to cover the lecture. Speakers are usually an excellent way to enrich the class material, but finding the money and time to fit them into a course schedule can be difficult.
One to many conferencing is a fitting application for the academic world. It allows the lecture to happen any time or place since students can log into a main feed. This will also work for guest lecturers no matter where they live. Students can still interact with the instructor during the class; the spontaneity of discussions doesn't have to be lost.
Leg Work for International Conferencing
In order to have a successful video conference, the host should do some preparation to ensure the meeting is as productive as possible. Agendas will help all participants focus on the topics of discussion and help to prevent the conference going of on a different tangent. The host should make sure that all participants have the agenda and pertinent documents ahead of time. This hopefully will facilitate a more informed discussion.
Along with the agenda, participants will need to have the meeting details; date and time zone are especially important when dealing with international participants. The host should include their contact information as well.
Each site should have an elected facilitator to help keep the conference on task. They should be able to address any problems as well as assure that their site is getting equal say. All facilitators and the host should have a back-up plan in place in case there is some malfunction.
Each day someone thinks of a new way to utilize video conferencing. This technology is opening the access to the world and is bringing everyone closer. I guess Walt was right, "It's a small world after all".
About this Author
For more information on polycom video conferencing equipment [http://www.videoconferencingworld.com/polycom-videoo-conferencing-equipment.php] as well as tips on secure video conferencing visit [http://www.videoconferencingworld.com]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Douglas_B._Gentry
