Open Distance Learning (ODL) Resource Page |
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The ACO*HIST ODL-project goal is to make researchers, teachers and students to collaborate without the limitation of physical distance and barriers in order to improve research and teaching in history. There will not be made any difference between teaching and research. The purpose or type of the collaboration or the meeting will decide whether an actual meeting on the Net is teaching or research. The focus in this early phase of the project will be to get things running and the simple questions are: What software and hardware do I need ? How do I install the software and how do I use it? What can we do in a netmeeting? What are the limitations? In the next phase of the project the focus will be towards teaching and research.
The first part of the test is simply to get a group of persons to make a netmeeting. What is a netmeeting? A netmeeting allows a group of persons connected thru Internet to speak in real-time (Internet Phone), to work together and collaborate in real-time using a whiteboard, a chat functionality and also to share applications. With the whiteboard and the chat function the each member of the group can write or draw on a virtual whiteboard, and with application sharing one user can share his or her application with the rest group. The shared application will be visible to all the members of the group.
| Requirements for a Netmeeting | ||
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| Hardware | Minimum | Recommended |
| Processor | Pentium | Pentium 100 |
| Memory | 16 MB | 32 MB |
| Hard disc | - | - |
| Sound Card | Sound Blaster or compatible | Sound Card with full duplex audio (e.g. Sound Blaster 16). |
| Internet connection | 28.8 bps (modem) | ISDN or better (T1) |
| Operating System | Windows95 | Windows95 or Windows-NT 4.0 |
| Other equipment | Speakers/Microphone | Earphones with microphone |
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Software |
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| WWW-browsers | ||
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| Netmeeting software | Netmeeting 2.0 beta 2. | Netmeeting 2.0 beta 2. |
In the test Microsoft Netmeeting 2.0 will be used. There are other products available offering the same functionality but for the time being Netmeeting 2.0 gives the best overall performance.
The Microsoft story on Netmeeting 2.0 part I:
The built-in Internet phone support makes it easy for you to call family and friends around the world over the Internet. Multiuser data conferencing support allows two or more users to work together and collaborate in real-time over the Internet or corporate intranet using application sharing, whiteboard, and chat functionality.
The Microsoft story part II
NetMeeting 2.0 for Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 builds on Microsoft's commitment to industry standards by adding H.323 audio support. Broad industry support for the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) H.323 standard will provide interoperability between real-time conferencing products, gateways, multipoint conferencing bridges, and other communication services.
When you run Microsoft NetMeeting, you are automatically logged on to a User Location Server. This server maintains a list of the people currently running Microsoft NetMeeting and their IP addresses.
You can use this service to locate people to meet with by double clicking their names in the main NetMeeting window; or, if the person you want to call is logged on to the same server as you, you can call the person by typing their e-mail address into the Place A Call box in the NetMeeting window. You can also use the Place A Call box in the NetMeeting window to type either the computer name or modem phone number of the person you want to call.
In the Directory, the Refresh button refreshes the list of people logged on to the User Location Server. The Stop button stops opening the list of people logged on to the User Location Server.
NOTE: Windows NT users cannot share applications, but can use applications that others have shared.
When you share an application and collaborate, remote users can use the File Open and File Save dialog boxes in your application to access or delete files on your computer or network.
To stop someone from using your shared program while you do not have control of the cursor, press ESC. To stop someone from using your shared program while you do have control of the cursor, click the Work Alone button. It is not recommended that you leave your computer unattended while sharing an application and collaborating. Maximizing shared applications when computers in the meeting have different screen resolutions might not work properly. It is recommended that you wait at least 20 seconds after initiating or joining a new conference before sharing an application.
If you make several changes without pausing in the whiteboard, other users might be prevented from making changes.
By default, audio communication is enabled for TCP/IP calls. To place an audio-only or data-only call, open the Advanced Calling dialog box, select Network (TCP/IP), and choose the appropriate option. Audio is supported only over TCP/IP and between no more than two people.
Sound quality can vary significantly depending on your sound card and microphone. To automatically adjust your settings, use the Audio Tuning Wizard.
Full-duplex audio enables you to speak at the same time as the person you are speaking to. If your sound card supports only half-duplex audio, or if you have not enabled full-duplex audio in NetMeeting, you and the other person in your call will have to take turns speaking.
Using full-duplex audio can require both more bandwidth and more CPU than using half-duplex audio and as a result may result in poor sound quality.
The Audio Tuning Wizard works only when you are not in a call with audio. If you are experiencing choppy full-duplex sound quality, try switching Microsoft NetMeeting to half-duplex sound quality. To do this, carry out the following steps:
Helsinki University of Technology
HUMANITIES
Historic Universities Multimedia Network for Innovation in Education System
HUMANITIES
Other collaborative learning projects
Socrates, EU's action programme for education.
What is ODL?
ODL - Open Distance Learning. What about ODR - Open Distance Research?
Netmeeting?
Why ODL? Why ODL now? How to implement ODL
Test results? These questions should be answered in a project report.