Video Conferencing - FREE

[faza]

Hi,

 

Does anyone know any free Video Conferencing software that we can use at school. We normally use DIM DIM but now that has been blocked by our LA.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

Faza

[jmcdermott]

I have used Skype in our school without any problems, free and simple. It will not do conference video calling.

[pscott]

Skype 5 does do conference video calls

[jmcdermott]

Thanks for that think I will look up upgrading ours.

[FN-GM]

Another vote for skype. With the new version it will allow you to video confrence call with more than 2 people

[localzuk]

Thanks for that think I will look up upgrading ours.

 

How do you have Skype in school? I thought most places had it blocked? I know our LEA and RBC have Skype blocked.

[jmcdermott]

Not blocked here, been using it instead of msn for a while now.

[Achandler]

Can you not request that it is unblocked? We requested it was unblocked and it was, the biggest problem is tracking down the https site it uses to make the calls to unblock it (according to our LEA)

[SimpleSi]

I've used the 30 day trial of WebEx to link 2 schools temporariliy as WebEx is used by NPQH candidates and therefore I got it unblocked in Lancs

 

I've also used stuck a 3G donge into a class computer and used a direct Skype internet connection to vid conf to teacher that moved to Austrailia that we wanted to to a link up to her old class.

 

Jsut some ideas that might work for you as well

 

regards

 

Simon

[localzuk]

Can you not request that it is unblocked? We requested it was unblocked and it was, the biggest problem is tracking down the https site it uses to make the calls to unblock it (according to our LEA)

 

I have been given the impression that due to the way it works, it is one of those programs that won't be unfiltered - as it uses p2p technology and is heavy on bandwidth usage.

[jamesfed]

I have been given the impression that due to the way it works, it is one of those programs that won't be unfiltered - as it uses p2p technology and is heavy on bandwidth usage.

 

I'd get back to them and say that’s not good enough - if you are paying them a reasonable amount they should be providing the service you require.

A well worded email from your Head teacher might just do the trick.

[GrumbleDook]

I'd get back to them and say that’s not good enough - if you are paying them a reasonable amount they should be providing the service you require.

A well worded email from your Head teacher might just do the trick.

 

Of course ... the schools *must* allow a bandwidth heavy app to be available, which doesn't use QoS/CoS and will (given a chance) kill services for all other users in the school.

 

If you are in an RBC then have a look at the Janet Video Conferencing Service, or see what your LA offers as a desktop VC Client ... if it is already paid for make use of it ... most of them will allow external use anyway (ie you set up the session and you can have folk from around the globe on there). Failing that ... ask E2BN for an account on FlashMeeting as a 'trial' ... I've been on it for sometime for a number of different things (It is what runs the weekly EdTechRoundUp chat between teachers / educationalists each sunday and that has had folk from all over UK, Ireland, US, AU, etc)

[K.C.Leblanc]

If you are in an RBC then have a look at the Janet Video Conferencing Service,

 

These guys are well worth speaking to, very helpful.

 

EDIT: I'm not sure if they provide software to members or not, but external connectees to JVCS can download software their software.