Anyone with a Polycom Video Conferencing unit and would like additional
resources on how to integrate the Polycom units in the classroom are
encouraged to register for Megaconference Jr.
I will be able to connect up to 11 sites through equipment we have in Fort
Dodge to the conference. I will also be able to provide video streams to
sites that do not have IP video conferencing equipment as well.
Please contact me before registering so I can help with some of the
connectivity questions. If you have any other questions please feel free
to
ask.
From: Arif Khan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: Arif Khan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 08:58:26 -0500
To: The Megaconference <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Megaconference Jr. May 18 2006 - An Event For andBystudents of
the
World (FREE REGISTRATION)
Dear Colleagues:
Megaconference Jr. is once again approaching us and I would like to
request
your kind assistance again this year to get the word around. In an effort
to Bridge the Digital Divide; please help us circulate this open free
registration announcement for the upcoming Megaconference Jr. 2006 to
anyone
who may be interested in your areas. Megaconference Jr. "An Event For and
By
Students of the World"; in its third year had over 320 sites connected
last
year from all over the world. It was a tremendous success. If you would
like to assist and if you have your facility available perhaps you can
invite your local schools to your facility for being part of this great
event. A lot of schools do not have either the equipment or a suitable
internet connection, your help will be greatly appreciated. If you are a
library it may be a way for inviting your neighborhood schools.
FREE general registration for the upcoming Megaconference Jr. 2006 event
is
still open.
Please go to: http://www.megaconferencejr.org and click on the "Register"
link. Read the explanation and review the schedule and presentations prior
to completing the registration. You now have the ability to interact live
with one of the presentations. You will be asked to make your selection
towards the end of the registration form. When you have completed all
fields
click the "Submit" button. You should receive an email confirmation.
The interactive registrations with presenters are on a first come first
serve basis. Once we have five for each presentation, interactive
registration will be closed. General registration will continue through
April 28, 2006.
Again this year we look forward to your involvement!
--------------------------------------------------------------
1) What is Megaconference Jr.?
Megaconference Jr. is an international project designed to give students
in
elementary and secondary schools around the world the opportunity to
communicate, collaborate and contribute to each other's learning in real
time, using advanced multi-point videoconferencing technology. Now in its
third year, Megaconference Jr. brings together students from countries all
around the world for 12 hours of interactive presentations, cafes, and
forums. Megaconference Jr. will take place on May 18, 2006. For more
information go to http://www.megaconferencejr.org/ .
2) WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE?
The event will be on May 18, 2006, and it will run from 7:00 am until
7:00pm
EDT (UTC-4). The 12-hour duration will make it possible for schools from
many time zones to participate during their regular school hours.
2) What do I need to participate?
Connected sites need H.323 videoconferencing capabilities and access to a
national research and education network such as Abilene (Internet2) in the
United States, CA*net 4 in Canada, or Gèant in Europe, GLORIAD in China
Central Asia. Numerous other state and regional networks and GigaPoPs (ie:
OARnet, MAGPI, SURA, SOX, NOX, IHETs, MERIT, CENIC, MAX, NYSERNet) are
available. If you are not surewhether you are connected to such a network,
you can download the Internet2 Detective
(http://detective.internet2.edu/),
ask your local network person, or contact us at ([EMAIL PROTECTED]).
3) Do I have to be on Internet2 to participate?
Sites are strongly encouraged to connect over Internet2 or other high
speed
networks for the best quality videoconference experience.
4) Do I have to go to a university to participate?
No. You can participate through a local university or other organization,
but you can also participate from your own office or classroom if your
Internet connection is sufficient. We can work with you to determine if
your
connection will work.
5) How much bandwidth do I need to participate?
The preferred connection speed for the event is 384 kbps. If you do not
have
access to Internet2, your local university may have a site you can use. We
can work with you to arrange a site if needed. Cable modem service usually
works.
6) Why isn't the commercial Internet good for Megaconference Jr.?
The commercial Internet (i.e. Yahoo, AOL, Netscape), is generally too slow
and too unstable to support the high-quality interactive video and audio
that takes place during Megaconference events. And ISDN videoconferencing
is
too expensive for multi-site international interactive videoconferencing
events. However, if you have a high bandwidth Internet connection, we can
work with you so that you can participate in Megaconference Jr.
7) How can so many sites be connected simultaneously around the world?
The Internet2 Commons (jointly operated by The Ohio State University and
the
Ohio Supercomputer Center), makes this possible by connecting sites
through
its remote collaboration service. You can learn more about the Internet2
Commons at http://commons.internet2.edu/.
8) What kinds of presentations/activities will my students see?
Presenters design and conduct videoconference-based presentations and
activities focused on academic, cultural, scientific, social and a host of
other issues. Participants will be able to ask questions of presenters and
to collaborate with geographically diverse peers in collaborative learning
activities, thus building international cultural awareness. Examples of
previous presentations include: "Being Australian"; "Hurricane Houses";
"Hatching Chicks and Birds of Prey"; "Commonality, Connection, and
Conversation Across the Continents"; "Bums on Drums"; "Flamenco Dancing
and
Walking Around Barcelona"; "Open Forum on Bullying"; "Reenactment of the
Oklahoma Land Run"; "Robotics"; "Native American Comanche Tribal Dancing";
and an interactive quiz game between students in Taiwan, Ohio and
Australia.
9) How much does it cost to participate?
Participation is free and open to everyone. The Megaconference Jr. event
is
a volunteer effort made possible through the dedication of students,
teachers and technologists around the world. We only ask for your active
engagement in helping to make Megaconference Jr. a fantastic event for
all!
10) How can we participate in other Internet2 videoconferencing events?
People enjoy Megaconference Jr. so much that they often want to
participate
in similar events. In addition to Megaconference Jr., there is also the
annual Megaconference event, on which Megaconference Jr. was modeled. The
Megaconference, now in its 8th year, is open to K-12 schools as well.
Megaconference Jr. was designed to help foster collaborations among
schools
worldwide, so we encourage you to start your own Megaconference-type
events
locally. Many have already been created including state-wide
mini-Megaconference Jrs. such as "Texas Connects: A Statewide
Videoconference for Texas Elementary Students" and a "Holiday
Megaconference
Jr." event. For more information go to
http://digitalunion.osu.edu/megaconference/index.html.
11) Do I need to register if I connect through a local organization?
Yes, or else you will not be listed as a participant, and you will not be
called in the roll call, or be eligible for door prizes.
12) Do I have to be there for the whole 12 hours of the event?
No, most people do not participate for the entire 12 hours.Please see the
Megaconference Jr. home page for important dates and deadlines,
www.megaconferencejr.org .
NOTE: Please forward this message to anyone you feel would be interested.
Kind Regards
_____________________
Arif Khan
Global Internet2 H.323 Services NOC
OARnet - A Division of Ohio Supercomputer Center [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ohio
Supercomputer Center http://www.osc.edu OARnet http://www.oar.net Third
Frontier Network http://www.osc.edu/oarnet/tfn/
Internet2 Commons http://commons.internet2.edu
Some Useful Videoconferencing Resources:
Videoconferencing Cook Book and check the section on H.323.
http://www.videnet.gatech.edu/cookbook.en/
http://www.videnet.gatech.edu/cookbook.en/list_page.php?topic=3&url=H323_har
dware.htm&level=1&sequence=1&name=H.323
The other very important suggestion is setting up your local LAN (Network)
for videoconferencing. Please refer this URL.
http://www.osc.edu/oarnet/videocon/hero.shtml
------ End of Forwarded Message
