Direct Visual are the UK's leading independant supplier of visual communications. Specialising in the integration of High Definition (HD) Video Conferencing solutions to help contribute to the effective delivery of curriculum.
We are vendor independant with prices from as little as the cost of a web camera and access to the JANET (http://www.ja.net) network we are now able to create "21st Century Classrooms"
We are heavily accredited for our work in this sector and have worked with many of the largest educational institutes in the UK. These include JANET, Welsh Video Network, UHI Millenium Institute, Shropshire LA and many more.
HD Video Conferncing can help to reduce travel, save money, reduce carbon emmissions, engage with employers, archives, galeeries and museums and collaborate with other schools. More importantly it is a tool that can be used by teachers to enrich the curriculum.
The sessions can be recorded, archived and streamed and integrated to your VLE and even downloadable to students Ipods.
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If a student is absent for a day, excluded for a period of time or on long term sickness leave ordinarilly it would be immensly difficult for them to be part of the lesson. If a school / classroom has HD Video Conferencing, by using a software laptop based client and some central infrastructure (or access to the internet and JANET) the absent student can join the lesson remotely.
Preparing students for the integration into the working world is a massive task. By using HD Video Conferencing to reach out to employers students can be interacting with industry professionals from an early age. Students can grill employers, staff and workers on their jobs, ask questions etc. This is great because most large companies for example, Google, Cadbury's, Mercedes, RBS all have Video Conferencing and are much more willing to give a classroom audience 30 minutes on a video call that spend half a day coming to visit in person.
Many of the content provider sessions help to nurture the skills necessery to enhance every students citizenship skills. The National Space Centre is one content provider who's e-mission "Operation Monserrat" lends itself specifically to this subject.
HD Video Conferencing can be used outside of the classroom hours. Communiy Cohesion is one way it can be utilised. Local companies can use it commercially as a bookable resource, the equipment can be mobile and flexible and events, festivals and joint projects within the community can be run using the equipment. This can help to break down language and cultural barriers
HD Video Conferencing's main beneift is the to enrich the curriculum. Providing teachers with access to a world of resources and information. By engaging with employers, specialists, content providers, partner schools and experts. Bringing content into the lesson that wouldnt normally be readily available. One example would be as part of a history lesson, the chance to grill a WWII verteren about his experiences or perhaps as part of a Maths lesson talk to an expert in the motivate maths session from Cambridge University. It really helps to capture students imaginsations and helps to keep their attention.
By reaching out to various employers, content providers, other schools, experts and througb recording, archiving and streaming the lessons become more and more interactive. By bringing in additional content to add to the normal lesson schedule can both add value to the relevant subject. Video calls can even be scheduled to occur on a weekly to for part of the lesson. An example would be a video link up with a local bakery perhaps who could talk about the techniques and skills they use to run their shop effectively and the students can take this opportunity to ask questions.
Through registering your Video Conferencing Solution to the JANET network you have access to over 40 UK based content providers and many more aborad. Most content providers offer free sessions over video. This can save on risk assessments and travel costs because you can now take "virtual field trips" to major archives, galleries and museums.
Through the use of a Video Conferencing solution and the JANET network it is possible for schools to collaborate with other schools with Video Conferencing anywhere in the world. America, France, Africa, Germnay and Australia are the popular choices for collaborations and improving international links. In fact a partner school abroad needn't have a Video Conferencing solution, they merely need access to the internet as JANET offer a free desktop service for them.
HD Video Conferencing can imporve communication links within the school, both internally and externally. The solution does require the support of the IT Network team
It is possible and is presently the case in America, that some parents can dial in to the lesson their child is receiving. This is done using a software based Video Conferencing Client and some infrastructure.
Any connection established with a third party employer, school or content provider through JANET is incredibly secure. JANET is a private network just for schools that is free to register to. There is no risk of the call being monitored or "hacked" into as all the necessery safe guards are in place. With a HD Video Conferencing Solution it is possible for the systems to be used to "monitor" the classroom.
HD Video Conferencing lends itself to Special Educational Needs. In the same way that special needs for advancesd learners, students who have for example learning difficulties and need access to specialists can obtain this through video without the need to travel.
The recording, archivng and streaming of content makes it very easy for students to get their opinnions, comments and important messages out to a wider audience either in real time, or after the event.
Teachers can use the solution for their meetings with otehr teachers and other schools mititgation the need for them to travel after hours. This will help create a better work / life balance and saved the school money.
The students will also gain by familiarising themselves with the technology, which will help them because as times move on more and more companies in the working world have video solutions.
HD Video Conferenicng is a tool and a platform to enhance and imporve the Teaching and Learning Expereince







