Anetha JohnsonEDUC 7101 Diffusion and Integration of

Educational Technology

History of Videoconferencing

The need existed for a peer-to-peer file sharing software that could enable delivery of instruction as well as instructor-to-student(s) and student-to-student synchronous learning in an online educational environment.

NEED

Skype (Sky peer-to-peer) is one brand of peer-to-peer videoconferencing software that was developed by Ahti Heinla, Priit Kasesalu, and Jaan Tallinn and founded by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Eriis.

RESEARCH

Skype became popular as an “Internet telephone” that included voice and audio chat capabilities Skype-to-Skype free of charge and from Skype to landlines for a nominal charge. Problems during the development process were minimal and the intended audience was global as a replacement for the usual paid long distance calling services.

DEVELOPMENT

Skype was marketed as a free peer-to-peer software and its “big selling point was that users could make free voice calls (using their computers and a headset) to each other from anywhere in the world” (Aamoth, 2011). Skype was purchased by eBay in 2005 and “Marketing efforts were re-vamped, with a particular focus on innovative partnerships with TV broadcasters to integrate Skype into their programming” (Wikipedia, 2011).

COMMERCIALIZATION

The universality of telephone usage and the free service available through Skype made marketing and distribution of this software relatively simple once the product was developed. Marketing led to Skype being “commonly used by network news stations around the world, as a cost-effective replacement for sending satellite trucks and enabling fast response from citizen journalists. Skype was also integrated into scripted TV programming” (Wikipedia, 2011) and other innovative ways to introduce Skype to a global market.

Videoconferencing was first introduced at the 1964 World’s Fair and went through Rogers’ five stages of innovation-decision stage numerous times before the present decade. With the availability of high-speed Internet processing speeds, videoconferencing can now connect instructors and students across the globe.

KNOWLEDGE

The quality of streaming video allows for interactive exchanges student-to-student and instructor-to-student. Software now exists that make this a highly effective way of delivering instruction and for meaningful interaction on an international level. “Higher education started to embrace the benefits of video conferencing in 2003” and “Schools around the world began to integrate video conferencing into their distance learning programs to enhance classes with more interactive classroom-like environments” (Nefsis, 2011). A college or university that does not incorporate video conferencing capabilities into its instructional design would be less attractive to prospective students and faculty.

PERSUASION

Institutions of higher education can use low cost or no cost video conferencing software such as Microsoft Office Live Meeting or Skype to facilitate face-to-face interactive learning between instructors and students or student groups. Adoption of videoconferencing software as an academic platform can be a low cost alternative method of instruction delivery and face-to-face interaction between instructors and students.

DECISION

Implementation of video conferencing into higher education can be easily facilitated using dedicated video conferencing devices and software. “There are several types of dedicated video conferencing devices that range in price and quality”… including “large-group systems and portable or non-portable small group systems” (Nefsis, 2011).

IMPLEMENTATION

Dissonance will be assuaged once the effectiveness of video conferencing as a means of lesson delivery and interaction between instructors and students is realized. The use of videoconferencing in higher education can only grow and improve with time. “The history of videoconferencing illustrates just how far the technology has come since its debut in 1964… and is still in a state of growth and transition” (Nefsis, 2011).

CONFIRMATION

Aamoth, D. (May 2010). Gadgets: A brief history of Skype. Retrieved from http://techland.time.com/2011/05/10/a-brief-history-of-skype/2/ Nefsis. (2011). Video conferencing history: timeline. Retrieved from http://www.nefsis.com/Best-Video-Conferencing-Software/video-conferencing-history.html

Wikipedia (2011). Skype: History. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skype#History

References