By Susan J. Campbell TMCnet Contributing Editor
Traditionally, students thousands of miles apart would have to settle for learning in separate classrooms and communicating after the fact through whatever technology was available on hand. Now, thanks to Polycom and Glowpoint, that technology has advanced to the point that these students can learn together.
Georgetown University can take advantage of telepresence and video conferencing solutions within the classroom. With high-definition video, voice and content-sharing capabilities, students can interact with teachers and collaborate with each other.
Georgetown’s campuses in Washington D.C and Doha, Qatar can now communicate and interact with Polycom’s RealPresence Experience. This state-of-the-art immersive telepresence solution combines with Glowpoint’s (News – Alert) technology, network and managed services through a hosted-cloud infrastructure to provide both campuses with a seamless experience.
‘Having recently taught a class using the ‘Global Classroom,’ I know the value this technology can bring in connecting students with diverse backgrounds and perspectives,’ said Mehran Kamrava, interim dean of Georgetown’s Qatar campus, in a statement.
Kamrava taught Revolutions in Comparative Perspectives in a Georgetown Global Classroom.
‘Faculty members are excited about the technology, and they’re developing new ways to use this technology to improve the educational experience for students on both campuses,’ Kamrava added.
The Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar offers a four-year undergraduate degree in international politics to students from the Middle East and throughout the world. With its Global Classroom initiative, a consistent learning experience is provided between the campuses.
‘Classrooms and cultures around the world are becoming more interactive thanks to immersive telepresence technologies,’ said Joe Laezza (News – Alert), Glowpoint’s president and Co-CEO. ‘Glowpoint is dedicated to supporting capabilities that transcend the limitations of traditional classrooms. Our managed telepresence services ensure that remote students can learn from invaluable teachers in one educational setting.’
With the Polycom (News – Alert) telepresence solution, the barriers of working across distance are eliminated. Students and instructors use immersive, life-like visual communication to collaborate face-to-face.
Joe Sigrist, Polycom’s senior vice president and general manager of video communications said, ‘As Polycom’s telepresence solutions are based on open standards, they work seamlessly, allowing organizations such as Georgetown to interconnect their entire educational institution. Our partnership with Glowpoint ensures that our clients, such as Georgetown University, achieve the highest level of quality and service for telepresence.’
Telepresence (News – Alert) systems are being used in two Georgetown classrooms per semester. Students within these classes have quickly adapted to the technology and new learning experience and the University is exploring additional ways to leverage the technology.
In other Polycom news, it was announced earlier this month that Nucentcom has selected and purchased Polycom HD Voice equipment for all future installations. Officials with Polycom said that the company’s HD Voice technology utilizes wideband technology. That means the end user receives twice the clarity of ordinary phone calls.
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Patrick Barnard
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