Remote teaching via ISDN2 and desktop conferencing

The Desktop Conferencing project is based at Exeter University School of Education using International Computers Limited (ICL) and Fujitsu desktop conferencing systems linked with British Telecom´s integrated services digital network (ISDN2) lines. The systems are set up in three locations: the University and two schools. The project is being used to enhance teaching and learning between university staff, student teachers, school pupils and school teachers. Consultants have also participated in education-industry links through desktop conferencing. Desktop conferencing uses a pair of telephone lines to link participants at either end, sharing both voice and computer systems. Teacher and student can run the same software together, see the same screen, discuss it and even key in changes. In addition a flipchart facility is available and files can be transferred extremely quickly. The author presents case studies which are drawn from group work, business studies and science