The University of Texas-Pan American
 
Video Services
TANDBERG: Video Conferencing Systems: Profile Series: 3000 MXPVideo Services has provided technical support for live two-way videoconferencing since 1990. Every day of the semester, classes are taught on the UTPA campus and simultaneously transmitted to students at remote locations. In addition, professors at other higher learning institutions transmit their lectures (live) to students on the UTPA campus.

The Video Network Control Room is the hub of UTPA's Interactive Video Network. This facility provides the interconnectivity between videoconferencing rooms throughout campus and other locations throughout the globe.

The UTPA Video Network Control Room is located in the Academic Services Building and houses all our compressed digital-video codecs. These codecs compress analog video signals into digital information so that the signals may be transmitted to a remote site via telecommunication lines.

Video Conference Equipped Rooms Throughout Campus

BuildingRoom
Academic Services Building1.104
Academic Services Building1.106
Academic Services Building2.134
Academic Services Building2.150
Administration Building Law Library329
New Computer Center Lone Star Room North1.706
Student Services Building6.105
Business Administration Building 223
Business Administration Building 224

Sites Connected to UTPA via Video Network.

All University of Texas System Academic Components
All University of Texas System Medical Centers
All campuses of the Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas (Mexico)
All High Schools connected to the Region One ESCONETT Video Network
All Texas A & M campuses
Any site with H.323 Capability

Procedures For Scheduling A Course For A Videoconference

Send an email to rsaenz1@utpa.edu requesting video network resources a minimum of two weeks prior to the event. Email should include the following information:
  • Title of event/course
  • Date
  • Time
  • Start/end dates
  • Holidays observed
  • Room location you would like to use at UTPA campus
  • UTPA faculty member name
  • Remote site(s)
  • Name and phone number of contact person at remote site
  • Number of participants (if known)
Receive confirmation from Video Services on the scheduling of your class or conference.

Notify rsaenz1@utpa.edu of any cancellations or schedule modifications.

Strategies For Distance Learning

Learn more on Strategies for Administering a Distance Learning Interactive Television Course.

Pointers For Teaching via Interactive Video

  • Don't forget about the students at the remote sites.
  • Treat camera as a student, make regular eye contact with the camera.
  • Remember that learning takes place at the remote site as well as the originating site.
  • Make yourself available for students at the remote site via email, voicemail, or cell phone.
  • Allow sufficient time for students at remote sites to copy all material before you move on to next page or slide.
  • Repeat questions asked by local students so that students at remote sites can hear what the discussion involves.
  • Utilize strengths of the system such as prepared charts, graphics, photos, videos and computer presentations.
  • Do not use chalkboards or dry erase boards.
  • Use document camera.
  • Use large fonts (36 pt.) on charts and diagrams.
  • Make sure you know what is being shown to the students at the remote sites.
  • Think visually for a visual medium. Show students what you are saying.
  • Involve your students at the remote sites. Students don't care unless they share.
  • Help your students with note-taking. Use hand-outs or a study guide to correlate with your presentation.
  • Never embarrass your students.
  • Believe that it takes a team of people to help you teach effectively on television. Nobody is smarter than all of us.
  • Never use red on television.
  • Information graphics need to be concise and legible.
  • Use charts instead of tables.
  • Visuals must be horizontal or landscape to optimize use of space.
  • Plan time for questions and answers.
  • Wear medium shades such as soft pastels or beiges.
  • Do not wear jewelry that will interfere with the lapel microphone.
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956/381-UTPA  1-866-441-UTPA
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