The original set-up

CDTL's system was configured in 1992 when video conferencing was a new idiom in academic technology and world standards were not yet formally established. Our PictureTel 4000 Model 200 was a sophisticated system then, but it only served a basic rate of 128 kbps (1 ISDN line). However, using a network of optical reflectors and fibre options, we set up five video conferencing sites on campus, with a control hub at CDTL to facilitate connections and conferences.

Most of these conferences have been specialised lectures from overseas sources to NUS. The system has also been used for research meetings, to interview prospective staff and, lately, to conduct coursework. The talents of NUS specialists have also been "exported" overseas via video conferencing.

A new acquisition

CDTL recently acquired a second video conferencing Codec which provides better quality video and transmission rates of up to 384 kbps (3 ISDN lines). The new Codec is portable and easy to operate. Once faculties configure their video conferencing rooms with ISDN lines, remote cameras, projection and audio systems, it can be brought over and connected when needed. Until then, the new Codec can be used at CDTL's studio, where we have installed four ISDN lines.

The following examples show how teachers have used video conferencing to achieve educational goals. In each case, the configuration involved a combination of asynchronous and synchronous media and computing facilities.

Example 1: FASS's long- distance linguistics

Dr Vincent Ooi from the Department of English Language and Literature requested an Internet connection to run synchronously between Professor John Sinclair at the University of Birmingham and students at NUS reading a Computational Linguistics course. For several sessions, Dr Ooi's class needed a computer cluster with Internet access and the ability to handle ISDN-based video conferencing. Since there weren't any clusters with this capability on campus, we configured a temporary one at CDTL's studio. The main problem was enough bandwidth to allow all the computers to access a database—thousands of miles away—simultaneously, and share them through a temporary router. What eventually worked was to have one computer do the accessing and to project that screen for all to view. Other interaction between Professor Sinclair and the students continued in the usual way through the AV system.

VIDEO CONFERENCING SPECIFICATIONS

I. Equipment PictureTel 4000 Model 200 Video standard: H.320 Video coding: H.261 Audio: G.711/G.722 Transmission: up to 128 kbps Gandalf T. A. RSi Systems Video Flyer Video standard: H.320 Video coding: H.261 Audio: G.711/G.722/G.723/G.728 Data T.120 Transmission: up to 384 kbps Bonding Other Cameras, AV system, recording and video projection equipment.

II. Sites (capacity) CDTL Studio (35) FBA Conference Room (70) Computer Centre Auditorium (80) Science Auditorium (200) CRC (200)

III. Costs ISDN line per hour: Current Telecom rates of $144 for USA, $168 for UK, $180 for Japan. Testing: Approximately 15% of the line charge. Local sites: No charge for official NUS users. Other users can obtain a schedule from CDTL. Foreign sites: Charges vary for studio rental and technical support. Other costs: Additional charge of $50_100 if the conference occurs after office hours. VHS recordings are also available at a minimal charge.

Example 2: Law's cross-cultural classroom

Dr Kevin Tan from the Faculty of Law ran an interesting series of "cross-cultural dialogues" between two classrooms, one in Singapore and the other at the University of Toronto in Canada. The class used the whole gamut of synchronous and asynchronous facilities available on campus. Synchronous communication was conducted via video conferencing and an Internet link. For asynchronous communication, students used the "Conferencing on the Web" (or COW) facility that the Computer Centre has configured within NUSNET, and plain old email. This package of technologies kept the dialogue and contact going successfully.

Example 3: FBA's multi-point connection

Associate Professor Lim Kian Guan from the Faculty of Business Administration requested a multi-point, multi-functional (audio, video and data) connection with Aoyama University in Japan and Korea University in Korea (see Figure 1). This was a complex and challenging request and required close coordination between CDTL, the Computer Centre and Aoyama University. It was a totally synchronous event, involving a 384 kbps connection through our Video Flyer. A separate ISDN line, connected to an ISDN router and an electronic white board, facilitated interactive data sharing—the new feature in video conferencing now. Many participants in the Aoyama conference were inspired by this connection. Staff from Cho University are arranging a similar set-up with our Japanese Studies Department and Associate Professor Lim plans to have further sessions along these lines in the near future.

Figure 1. Video conferencing configuration between Singapore, Japan and Korea.