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WEB
CASTING TO
THE WORLD…
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Figure 1: Night view of the completed exterior
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What
is the eDome? It is a
circular, high-tech, multi-media facility that will provide global
access to our Web-based programming. The
eDome (Electronic Delivery of Modular Education) is the physical
structure through which Cambrian College will increase its multimedia
web-based training services. It will serve its most geographically
distant partners and foster lifelong learning for trades people
cost-effectively. The
eDome will provide
the necessary infrastructure to allow the visual capturing of objects
ranging from heavy duty equipment (e.g. vehicles, diesel or gas
engines), to smaller items like calibration instruments (e.g.
micrometers), for the purpose of re-packaging for DVD or web casting to
off-campus learners. This
teaching/demonstration theater is circular in design, and has a
demonstration podium situated at the center.
The podium will control connections to an Ethernet LAN/WAN,
analog or digital telephone system, AC power 110/220V, water, gas,
compressed air, video, audio (both input and output), lights, and
computer display signals. The room will accommodate 90 students in four
arrays of seats radially arranged in each quadrant of the circle. This configuration will allow all students to be close to the
demonstration podium. |
Figure 2: Floor plan view
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Twelve
digital cameras multiplexed to four independent video streams at anytime
will be used to capture close-ups of the equipment being demonstrated
and of the professor and the students as they interact. Some of the cameras will be attached to booms.
These cameras can be raised, lowered, and moved from side to
side to provide close-up views of sections of equipment. Images from these cameras can also be routed to their
corresponding large screens situated along the outside perimeter of the
classroom for student viewing. Four cameras, located in the center of the room, will capture student interactions. Four cameras will be attached to the outside perimeter of the four quadrants to capture the professor, regardless of his or her position around the equipment. A technician, located in an attached video-editing suite, can route up to four independent video streams to separate digital video recorders for later editing or web casting. Through an integrated, simple-to-use interface, such as a touch-screen panel, the professor will be able to easily control the positioning and sequencing of all cameras, computer and screen displays, audio, blinds, lighting and other related systems. eDome is equipped with a ceiling-mounted “snorkel” ventilation system. |
Figure 3: Interior view, including snorkel ventilation
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Utilizing
three screens, imagine that the screen to the left of the audience has
the image of someone in New York City, with the sound coming out of the
speakers on that side of the room. On the
screen to the right is the image of someone in Los Angeles, with their
sound being heard on the right side speakers. The "large"
screen straight ahead could have the "local" presenter c/w
with multiplexed cameras (our local web-streamed image) and the sound
originates from the front speakers. Imagine
a student's learning experience where she/he can watch close-up views of
a complex mechanical procedure, from several simultaneous camera vantage
points projected onto large screens, can listen to the demonstrator walk
students through the procedure step by step, see and hear an assistant
professor from another part of the world commenting on the procedure,
and then be able to dialogue with both professors in a wrap-up question
& answer session. Imagine a student being able
to log on to their online course at Cambrian College from another
country, see and hear a live "Web Cast" lecture and
demonstration from the eDome, and ask a few questions at the end of the
session. Later in the week, the same student wants to review the
material in preparation for an exam. The student can log back onto the
course and "replay" the very same session that was
"taped" earlier, all through the online course and their
Internet connection. For additional
information about this world-class facility, contact:
Online Teaching and Learning at
705-566-8101, or email online@cambrianc.on.ca |