October 22nd, 2008 by Learning Systems
Your organization and its LMS users already have a speedy internet connection. What else will you need to utilize a VoIP gateway for communication within your LMS community?
Subscribe to a VoIP service provider. Just as you need to consider your LMS users’ lifestyles, habits and budgets when choosing an internet service technology, you’ll need to consider carefully these same factors when you choose a VoIP provider. Choosing wisely, based on the activities and purposes of your organzation, will help you make the most out of the technology you have, reap greater benefits, and cut costs.
Choose between subscription/hardware, based-software-based, mobile, device-based, and business VoIP services. Each serves a different purpose and caters to a different user base.
October 22nd, 2008 by Learning Systems
Given all the communication benefits VoIP offers to LMS users, you might be thinking of integrating a VoIP provider with your organization’s LMS. So, what are you going to need to get started?
Voice data is bulky, so you’ll need a good internet connection with adequate bandwidth. Though ADSL is among the best WAN technologies, it doesn’t provide mobility to users. ISDN provides up to 128 kbps and is suitable for fixed service. Wireless technologies like WiFi, WiMax, CDMA and GPRS are good, though some are limited by distance and signal quality. The upside is the mobility these provide. Ethernet is also suitable, and cable offers high speed connection but limits mobility.
You may or may not require mobility in your system, depending on the needs and purposes of LMS users communicating through the VoIP gateway.
October 21st, 2008 by Learning Systems
VoIP gateways and IP audio-video conferences are features that more and more organizations are integrating with their LMSs. Along with free recording and delivery of instructional material, VoIP gateways can provide other functions to companies, schools and other organizations using an LMS. VoIP gateways can provide connection with your existing phone and fax machines, through regular telephone networks, PBXs, and key systems.
The potential of VoIP is comparable to that of email. VoIP software offers cost-effective business communication. Some offer possibilities of multiple-person conference calls. Many VoIP providers include unique features as well, like SkypeFind, a business directory for listing and reviewing businesses.
Businesses and schools looking to enhance communication between trainers and trainees, teachers and students, and its LMS users in general should consider applying a VoIP gateway to their system.
October 21st, 2008 by Learning Systems
Many people think they might be interested in e-learning, using online courseware or other software, but they would also like some face-to-face instruction. In previous posts I’ve discussed blended learning and the effectiveness of combining online courseware with face-to-face instruction. The two systems complement each other. But what if you could have the best of both worlds in one system?
A VoIP gateway, or Voice-Over IP gateway, is a network device like Skype that provides real-time voice communication between an IP network and traditional telephone networks. Want online guitar lessons? Using Skype, you can watch, listen, speak, and type to your guitar teacher in a different city or even a different country. VoIP tools and IP audio-video conference tools offer the ease and flexibility that online courseware provides, combined with the benefits of learning face-to-face.
