Lessons Learnt from Telecommunication Providers Lacking Knowledge of Effective Technology Enhanced Distance Education Solutions

Effective use of visual communication and collaboration tools within distance training programs, require proper design of the infrastructure and instalment of composite audio-visual equipment into digital classrooms and videoconferencing studios. It is particular important to design infrastructure solutions that fit the pedagogical methodologies of the subject thought, covering both the broadcasting phase and the receiving phase at an endpoint. Detection of sound and design of the steering system are pointed out as critical factors within the design of the infrastructure. Distance educational organisations planning to install videoconferencing solutions should expect to spend 10 ? 30 % of their budget towards design and consultancy. Such services should contain independent consultancy, as regards to the often biased information given by the audio-video industry, targeting i) main teaching principles to be used in various subjects, ii) state of the art technical audio-video competence, iii) acoustical principles, iv) design of the steering system and interconnections of composite equipment, v) expected technological developments during the next couple of years, and vi) identifying new skills of teachers. Proper specifications off end-user requirements that constitute to be the basis for tenders are the first important obstacle an organization must solve in order to obtain quality assurance of the installation process. Only the high end-user requirements are specified without entering into any detailed technical discussions and specifications.