NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS
1/9/08

Videoconferencing Updates...

Final phase of videoconference system expansion 
This school year the Teleschool Branch will complete the final phase of the videoconference system expansion.  More than 280 videoconference systems will have been installed in the Hawaii DOE, and that includes all public schools and district offices.

Videconference site identification signs
The Teleschool Branch will be distributing site identification signs to schools and offices so that videoconference participants will be able to identify your site easily during a videoconference.

Video, Audio and Web Conferencing Guide
The Hawaii DOE Video, Audio and Web Conferencing Guide is now available from the Teleschool Branch. 
E-mail dan_miyamoto@notes.k12.hi.us to receive a copy for your school or office.

Cyber Humanities: Rigor and Relevance through High School Videoconferencing
Read this article by Moanalua High School teacher Lynne Sueoka as she explains how videoconferencing technology is helping her students connect in a global classroom.

Reprinted with permission from Learning & Leading with Technology, vol. 34, no. 7, © 2007, ISTE® (International Society for Technology in Education), iste@iste.org, www.iste.org. All rights reserved.

Mounting plates for the Polycom VSX 7000s will be installed on all Sony TVs with curved backs so that the Polycom unit can sit on top of the TV.  This will impact all schools that have received videoconference systems this school year.  The Teleschool Branch will be making arrangements to install the mounting plates.

To keep up with the growing number of potential users the Videoconference Section of Teleschool has been working on additional support components for the system.

A new call-site has been established for endusers to test and practice their videoconference calls. The address will appear in your videoconference system's onscreen Directory as "Test Your Call" in the R-U alphabet tab. The site will accommodate up to three videoconference callers. Use it to test a multipoint connection with other sites or who knows who you'll run into at the Teleschool virtual lobby!


The Teleschool Branch has also designated a videconference unit for technical support questions.  Look in the videoconference system's onscreen Directory for TeleschoolVS-Technical Support.  This unit is located right outside of the videoconference technicians offices.

TOP 10 MOST USED SITES
1.  Test Your Call
2.  Maui Studio
3.  Kau High
4.  Waipahu High
5.  Keaau High
6.  Nanakuli High
7.  Molokai LSC
8.  Hilo Distrrict Office Annex
9.  Maui District Office
10.Lanai High & Elementary

THE PURPOSE OF THE VIDEOCONFERENCE SYSTEM

The Hawaii Department of Education video conference system is helping to transform education for student achievement by assisting in the following areas of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the reinvention of the Hawaii Department of Education.

• Facilitating the provision of timely, quality staff development activities in spite of geographic challenges.
• Delivering sustained and focused support services to schools. 
• Providing students with quality enrichment programs.
• Reducing the time lost in traveling to workshop or meeting sites.

The Technology

The video conference system is comprised of IP based units located at schools and offices throughout the state linked together by Multi-Point Conferencing Units (MCU) on each island.  ISDN connectivity is available through the MCUs.

A typical video conference system consists of a television and video conference device that includes a microphone and camera.

The system is managed by the Teleschool Branch of the Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support, and the Network Support Services Branch of the Office of Information Technology Services.