Video conferencing is an important collaborative tool which allows live interactive lectures and discussions between classrooms around the world via the internet. Media offers the college two options for video conferencing, Skype and Polycom.

 

The Skype option is free it requires no technical support and is designed to be set up by the users. Skype is a basic video call it has limited data sharing and severely limited multi point conferencing options. We lend webcams with built-in microphones for Skype users.

 

The second option is the Polycom Conferencing system. This option offers superior video/audio quality compared to Skype and has the additional features of live data sharing and multi point calling with up to 12 participants. The Polycom system entails users’ fees and requires technical support, so a Media Services technician must be contracted.

 

If you are planning a video conference, please contact Media Services well in advance of your needs, at x3822 or email mediaservices@tc.columbia.edu or use our Media Manager Request Form.