SUCCESSSFUL VIDEO-CONFERENCING
Using equipment purchased under the 2007 Osher grant, the Osher
Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College (BCC) in
Pittsfield, Massachusetts worked with the BCC Information Systems
Committee to install a Polycom video-conferencing system to connect
a classroom at BCC’s main campus with a second classroom at
BCC’s South Country Campus in Great Barrington.
The system provides live, two-way closed circuit TV between the classrooms
and also allows transmission of very high quality video for graphics
and PowerPoint slides.
For their first video-conferenced class, they enlisted the help of
one of their members, Stan Applebaum, who enthusiastically presented
a well-structured and graphics-rich six session lecture series on
Joseph Stalin.
Stan was able to interact with his audiences and field questions during
and after class from participants at both the “near end”
(originating) and “far end” (receiving) class locations.
OLLI members reacted very favorably to the video-conferencing style
of delivery.
With Internet Protocol (IP) video-conferencing, their classroom can
be connected to any site in the world which is suitably equipped and,
unlike telephone line connections, there’s no cost beyond the
initial equipment purchases.
Two more video-conferenced classes are being held this fall. For the
future, they are exploring the possibility of jointly conducting live,
interactive classes with their other Educational Partners in Berkshire
County and perhaps even with other OLLIs such as those at UMass Boston
and at the University of Missouri.