Videoconferencing in Higher Education

Abstract

Several examples of videoconferencing usage in higher education are described: project management, dissemination, lecture courses, keynote lectures, small groups, orals and interviews. An account is given of staff and student experiences in each example, in the context of a collaborative national project in the subject area of mathematics and statistics. Evaluation results are presented, leading to a generally favourable conclusion regarding the usefulness of the medium. Suggestions and guidelines for good practice are given. It has been found that students and staff are generally positive, but there is a need for training in the best ways of exploiting the technology.Traditional lecturing styles, for example, need to be significantly modified when using videoconferencing.