Videoconferencing Tools Research Articles

Identifying Issues of Video Conferencing Tools for Teaching and Learning Using the PACT Framework

The usage of video conferencing tools in teaching and learning has become a norm in today's higher educational institutions, recognized across various academic settings. The experience gained by most educators in using video conferencing tools for teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic could be leveraged to enhance these tools. The study aims to capture the current practices and explore the issues of using video conferencing for teaching and learning in Malaysian higher educational institutions. It focuses on three target groups with hands-on experience: academicians, students, and e-learning consultants or information technology (IT) support staff. Interview and focus group protocols were developed based on the four elements of the PACT framework: People (P), Activities (A), Contexts (C), and Technologies (T). Data were gathered through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with the target groups. There were 24 participants involved in three focus group discussions and 28 participants in individual in-depth interviews. The PACT framework was employed to analyze the data, aiding in understanding the current situation, identifying areas for improvement, and envisioning future scenarios. Qualitative data were transcribed and categorized based on the four PACT elements. The study identified differences in the People element with four scenarios/practices on physical differences, six on psychological differences, three on mental models, and five on social differences. A total of twenty differences were identified under the Activities element, with six on temporal aspects, four each on cooperation, complexity, and safety-critical aspects, and two on the nature of the content. Under the Context element, one scenario/practice was identified for organizational circumstances, five for social circumstances, and three for physical circumstances. In the Technology element, five scenarios/practices were identified: two related to the input part of technologies and one each for the output, communication, and content parts of technologies. From the scenarios/practices of the responses, a total of fifty-two issues related to using video conferencing for teaching and learning were identified. These findings will serve as the basis for ideation in developing innovative video conferencing toolkits for teaching and learning.

Remote operation of the DIII-D National Fusion Facility

Full remote scientific operation of the DIII-D National Fusion Facility is now possible through significant advances in the computer science hardware and software infrastructure made over the last decade. Capabilities around information visualization, data movement, and communication have all been enhanced. The level of capability deployed to remotely operate DIII-D required an infrastructure advancement over what had previously been achieved in the fusion community. The large quantity of real-time data that is automatically displayed on DIII-D’s control room screens can now be visualized by remote participants via web-based applications. New audio/video solutions using the VoIP and instant messaging application Discord have been implemented to mimic the dynamic and ad-hoc scientific conversations that are critical in successfully operating an experimental campaign. Discord’s ability for a user to rapidly move between audio channels, text with images, and share screens is a significant enhancement over traditional videoconferencing tools. In addition, multiple combinations of broadcast audio are made available via a web-based application to allow remote participants to simultaneously listen to general announcements/sounds while conducting their own specific conversations. Secure methodologies have been put into place to allow remote control of hardware including DIII-D’s plasma control system application. Secure methods also included the ability of the on-site team to closely coordinate their work with remote team members which has been enhanced through extensions to the wireless network and the use of tablet computers for audio/video/screen sharing. However, no amount of software can fully replace the need for ‘hands on hardware.’ This infrastructure was severely stress tested during the COVID-19 pandemic where occupancy of the DIII-D control room was restricted. Operational efficiency during the pandemic, measured in discharges per hour, remained high (3.8 ± 0.8) compared to values obtained pre-pandemic (3.7 ± 0.8).

Picture Fuzzy Aggregation Operator-Based Integrated MEREC-WASPAS Technique for Video Conferencing Tool Selection

The COVID-19 epidemic has drastically altered the global landscape and thus organizations are finding it difficult to provide a modern and productive work environment to their stakeholders. As a result, personnel have shifted from in-person interactions to working remotely via video conferencing tools (VCTs). Owing to the onset of COVID-19 outbreak, usage of VTCs has gained great interest among people, especially student fraternity and employees as it reduces the hassle of direct interaction. But selecting the right platform for virtual interaction can be challenging, as it involves a number of factors in order to reduce expenses and maximize productivity. The present treatise has focused on devising a mathematical approach to identify the best VCT by structurizing the problem as a multi-criteria group decision making (MCGDM) model. To carry out the research, the notions of two popular techniques, namely Method based on the Removal Effects of Criteria (MEREC) and Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) have been extended under Picture fuzzy environment with the aid of Picture fuzzy weighted averaging operator to deal with MCGDM situation. Furthermore, to overcome limitations of existing Picture fuzzy score function (PFSF), a novel PFSF has been developed and its significant properties are analyzed through theoretical and numerical justifications, showing its superiority over the existing one. The proposed PFSF can not only overcome the limitations of the existing SF, but also can rank any type of Picture fuzzy numbers irrespective of their membership and non-membership grades. Thereafter, the extended MCGDM techniques have been integrated with the aid of the proposed novel PFSF and applied to assess the best VCT. The proposed technique has identified Google Meet as the best VCT for virtual communication. Consistency and robustness of proposed technique have been validated through comparative and sensitivity analysis.

Achieving Joint Attention and Understanding of Task Responsibilities in Synchronous Hybrid L2 Classroom Group Work

Abstract This article addresses the need to better understand interactional asymmetries, challenges, and solutions in implementing synchronous hybrid language teaching. We investigate video-recorded peer interactions in a higher education language teaching context in which a student uses a telepresence robot, a remotely moveable videoconferencing tool, to participate in small-group task work in L2 English together with students who are physically located in the language classroom. Drawing on multimodal conversation analysis, we examine how the geographically dispersed peer group achieves, maintains, and repairs their joint attention on task-relevant learning materials as they are accomplishing a task, and how this kind of referential interactional work enables their co-operation as a group. Based on the analysis, we argue that in synchronous hybrid learning there is a need to reflexively adjust interactional practices to secure an intersubjective understanding of learning tasks and their progressivity. The findings also suggest that sensory and interactional asymmetries should be taken into account when developing and implementing synchronous hybrid learning environments that aim at equality of opportunities regardless of the participation mode.

A Phenomenological Study of Barriers and Needs Related to Opioid Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery in Rural Alabama

Rural areas with limited access to preventive care, treatment, and recovery services are particularly affected by the opioid crisis. This study identified four rural areas in Alabama that had higher opioid prescription rates than the state and national average. This study explores the views of three groups [healthcare service providers, persons who use/used opioids (PWUO), and community stakeholders] on the barriers to and needs for opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery services using a phenomenological qualitative design. Purposeful and snowball sampling was used to recruit 95 participants across 12 focus groups which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A seven-member analysis team conducted a directed content analysis using a semi-structured script and seeded themes with a rigorous plan to promote trustworthiness. Regardless of group type, commonly identified barriers and needs related to rural locality, financial factors, cultural norms, and stigma among others. Prominent needs included education and healthcare coordination. Findings suggest recommendations for community and provider interventions to address the knowledge gaps and recovery needs. They also supported the suitability of the Telehealth Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes, a videoconferencing tool that networks multidisciplinary experts and professionals around specialty topics, as a promising intervention to increase training among providers.

Automatic captions on video calls: a must for the older adults

In recent years, the use of video call or video conference tools has not stopped increasing, and especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of video calls increased in the educational and work spheres, but also in the family sphere, due to the risks of contagion in face-to-face meetings. Throughout the world, many older people are affected by hearing loss. Auditory functional diversity can make it difficult to enjoy video calls. Using automatic captions might help these people, but not all video calling tools offer this functionality, and some offer it in some languages. We developed an automatic conversation captioning tool using Automatic Speech Recognition and Speech to Text, using the free software tool Coqui STT. This automatic captioning tool is independent of the video call platform used and allows older adults or anyone with auditory functional diversity to enjoy video calls in a simple way. A transparent user interface was designed for our tool that overlays the video call window, and the tool allows us to easily change the text size, color, and background settings. It is also important to remember that many older people have visual functional diversity, so they could have problems reading the texts, thus it is important that each person can adapt the text to their needs. An analysis has been carried out that includes older people to analyze the benefits of the interface, as well as some configuration preferences, and a proposal to improve the way the text is displayed on the screen. Spanish and English were tested during the investigation, but the tool allows us to easily install dozens of new languages based on models trained for Coqui STT.

Comparison of Effectiveness regarding a Culinary Medicine Elective for Medical Students in Germany Delivered Virtually versus In-Person.

(1) Background: The Culinary Medicine elective at the German medical schools of the universities of Göttingen, Giessen, and Brandenburg is a teaching kitchen-based elective aimed at training medical students on how to improve patient counselling on nutrition and lifestyle medicine topics. This curriculum was either delivered virtually (2021) or in-person (2022/2023). Changes in teaching effectiveness were evaluated. (2) Methods: The elective included seven modules in the teaching kitchen for 3 h each. It consisted of a short introduction and a hands-on interactive cooking part illustrating important dietary principles in different disease groups. The elective was conducted virtually in 2021 in a fully interactive setup using videoconference tools. Students in this cohort attended from their private kitchens whereas students in the in-person cohort (2022/2023) attended the same classes in the teaching kitchen. Standardized comparative self-assessment questionnaires on counselling competencies, nutrition knowledge, eating habits, and mental well-being (WHO-5) before and after the elective were used to determine teaching effectiveness. Paired and unpaired t-tests were performed to evaluate results. (3) Results: A total of 70 students (mean semester 6.3) were included in the virtual cohort, and 80 students (mean semester 6.3) were in the in-person cohort. In both, counselling competencies on 25 nutrition and lifestyle medicine topics increased significantly. Significant changes also occurred in most nutrition knowledge categories. Subjective well-being as well as personal attitudes towards nutrition counselling in medical practice improved significantly during the elective. Healthy eating habits improved in both groups as students ate significantly less unfavourable foods. There were no significant differences between the two groups apart from minor differences in nutrition knowledge. (4) Conclusions: The elective in Culinary Medicine improved students counselling competencies, nutrition knowledge, attitudes, well-being, and eating habits with no relevant difference between virtual and in-person teaching.

Telesimulation for the Training of Medical Students in Neonatal Resuscitation.

Background: Telesimulation may be an alternative to face-to-face simulation-based training. Therefore, we investigated the effect of a single telesimulation training in inexperienced providers. Methods: First-year medical students were recruited for this prospective observational study. Participants received a low-fidelity mannequin and medical equipment for training purposes. The one-hour telesimulation session was delivered by an experienced trainer and broadcast via a video conference tool, covering all elements of the neonatal resuscitation algorithm. After the telesimulation training, each student underwent a standardized simulated scenario at our Clinical Skills Center. Performance was video-recorded and evaluated by a single neonatologist, using a composite score (maximum: 10 points). Pre- and post-training knowledge was assessed using a 20-question questionnaire. Results: Seven telesimulation sessions were held, with a total of 25 students participating. The median performance score was 6 (5-8). The median time until the first effective ventilation breath was 30.0 s (24.5-41.0) and the median number of effective ventilation breaths out of the first five ventilation attempts was 5 (4-5). Neonatal resuscitation knowledge scores increased significantly. Conclusions: Following a one-hour telesimulation session, students were able to perform most of the initial steps of the neonatal resuscitation algorithm effectively while demonstrating notable mask ventilation skills.

Yüksek Öğrenim Öğrencilerinin COVID-19 Pandemisinde Uzaktan Eğitime İlişkin Görüşleri: Karma Yöntem

This study, designed with a convergent parallel mixed method, was conducted to assess the views of health sciences faculty' students on distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative data were applied in a web-based form with the socio-demographic form and the Views on Distance Education Scale. Qualitative data were collected by computer interviews using a video conference tool. Analyses were conducted using nonparametric test methods. For comparisons involving more than two groups, the Kruskal-Wallis H test was applied, and the Mann-Whitney U test was applied for comparisons involving two groups. The Spearman Correlation test was used to examine how the dimensions related. In the qualitative section, the content analysis method was preferred. Comparative analyses of the total scale dimension, sub-dimensions, and socio-demographic characteristics revealed significant differences (p

Background Replacement in Video Conferencing

Article Background Replacement in Video Conferencing Kiran Shahi *, and Yongmin Li 1 Department of Computer Science, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom * Correspondence: 2144420@alumni.brunel.ac.uk Received: 17 March 2023 Accepted: 24 April 2023 Abstract: Background replacement is one of the most used features in video conferencing applications by many people, perhaps mainly for privacy protection, but also for other purposes such as branding, marketing and promoting professionalism. However, the existing applications in video conference tools have serious limitations. Most applications tend to generate strong artefacts (while there is a slight change in the perspective of the background), or require green screens to avoid such artefacts, which results in an unnatural background or even exposes the original background to other users in the video conference. In this work, we aim to study the relationship between the foreground and background in real-time videos. Three different methods are presented and evaluated, including the baseline U-Net, the lightweight U-Net MobileNet, and the U-Net MobileNet&ConvLSTM models. The above models are trained on public datasets for image segmentation. Experimental results show that both the lightweight U-Net MobileNet and the U-Net MobileNet& ConvLSTM models achieve superior performance as compared to the baseline U-Net model.

Student-teacher out-of-class communication on engineering courses during the COVID-19 pandemic: from face-to-face to videocalls

ABSTRACT Out-of-class communication between teachers and students is essential throughout university engineering courses for in-depth explanations of the concepts covered in class. This study evaluates this aspect throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, a survey that addressed this issue was administered to students at the beginning (March 2020) and at the end (May 2020) of the COVID-19 lockdown in Spain, and at the end of each semester of the 2020/21 and 2021/22 academic years. The results were analyzed with statistical, qualitative, and mixed methods. E-mail usage was widely observed at the beginning of the pandemic, while the use of online videoconferencing tools progressed during that time, thanks to their temporal and spatial flexibility, and the direct and personal nature of student-teacher contact through those channels. Its success was linked to the prior training of teachers in the use of videoconferencing, the establishment of fixed schedules for the meetings, and the use of digital whiteboards that instantaneously display writing when discussing problems. According to the opinions of students, videocalls could be used for questions on theoretical and easy practical aspects despite the resumption of out-of-class face-to-face meetings. Videoconferencing tools for educational communication between engineering students and teachers seem to be here to stay.

Telemedicine consultation for emergency patients’ attention: a clinical experience from a high complex university hospital from Latin America

IntroductionAs a result of the new coronavirus pandemic, a highly complex academic hospital in Latin America implemented a telemedicine service for the care of obstetric, pediatric, and adult patients. In 2020, regional emergency services collapsed due to the increase in demand for care, generating the need to open expansion services and seek strategies to provide timely care to consulting patients.ObjectiveWe retrospectively describe the clinical experience of patients who consulted the emergency department via telemedicine across a videoconference tool using digital platforms.MethodsA descriptive study with retrospective data collection was conducted to describe the implementation of the teleconsultation care model for patients. We constructed the clinical process indicators to evaluate the model.ResultsA total of 4652 teleconsultations were registered. Telemedicine consultation was above 50% in the country and department and above 90% in Cali city. The average waiting time for care was estimated to be 1:59:52 h. A total of 275 patients were transferred to the emergency room after consultation. The principal reasons for consultation in the institutional telemedicine program were respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Teleconsultations related to SARS-COV 2 infections reported 3775 patients (3127 with unidentified virus and 648 with the identified virus).ConclusionsTelemedicine is a tool that provides support and guidance to patients who consult emergency departments, reducing barriers to access health care and decreasing emergency department collapse.

Exploring the use of social virtual reality for virtual exchange

AbstractMentored online intercultural interaction offers foreign language learners the opportunity to develop different competences, including intercultural, linguistic, and digital competence (O’Dowd, 2021). Such virtual exchange (VE) projects typically involve computer-mediated communication via, for example, Zoom. However, the use of high-immersion virtual reality (VR) for synchronous online collaboration in VE projects has received little attention. This study investigated the effect of VR on students’ levels of presence and engagement, on students’ communication and on students’ views on using VR for intercultural encounters compared to traditional videoconferencing tools. Twenty-seven university students from the Netherlands and Germany utilised VR to carry out intercultural learning tasks using English as a lingua franca during a four-week implementation period. Participants responded to pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, completed reflection journals, audio- or video-recorded their VR meetings and participated in interviews. Results showed that the levels of presence and engagement and preferences of social VR compared to videoconferencing for intercultural encounters depended on students individually. A VR immersion experience and comfortability scale was created based on the data which showed mixed experiences. VR influenced participants’ interactions, topics of conversation and communication strategies when they explored their spaces together. The results showed that students’ attitudes towards VR and their subjective experience of VR seem to play an important role in the VE-VR setting. VR provided a safe space for many participants. Positive attitudes towards communicating in the VR environment are highly correlated with positive attitudes towards meeting students from other countries in VR. Implications for language education are provided.

Vaccine Immunology in the context of COVID-19

Abstract Evidence at the start of the pandemic indicated that Māori and Pacific peoples were vulnerable to being disproportionately impacted and affected by COVID-19, indicating prioritisation with respect to COVID-19 vaccination and prevention efforts would be needed. Significant health inequities already existed for Māori and Pacific peoples prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, with the pandemic exacerbating pre-existing health inequities for vulnerable groups including Māori and Pacific peoples. An elimination strategy was pursued at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa/New Zealand, a suppression strategy was then followed later. The initial lockdown periods helped keep the SARS-CoV-2 virus away while trying to get people vaccinated once the COVID-19 vaccines became available in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Efforts to spread mis/disinformation about the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 vaccines were initiated early during the COVID-19 outbreak. The purpose of this work was to focus upon the immunological areas pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccines, to ensure appropriate scientific communication approaches that would support the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out. This work involved the utilisation of an online videoconferencing tool to support urgent communication efforts for the general public and lay audiences that would also support the countering of mis/disinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines in particular. Those who participated responded positively and indicating this approach helped demystify COVID-19 vaccines, explained how they worked, and encouraged vaccination. This work showed how appropriately presented COVID-19 vaccine information in the online setting could help counter mis/disinformation efforts. Wellington School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Otago.

Exploring the Challenges of Technology in Language Teaching in the Aftermath of the Pandemic

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been varied, and while there was a clear upsurge in the use of technology in language and learning contexts during the worst lockdown periods, the long-term impact on technology usage remains to be seen. As has been widely noted, lockdowns forced teaching into remote modes, making technology indispensable. Many teachers found themselves struggling to use technologies with little or no experience or training, and often in spite of earlier resistance to using it. The affective barriers to using technology may have decreased somewhat, but other potential problems have arisen as well. There has generally been a narrow view about the effectiveness of technology use in language teaching and learning. During the pandemic, teaching often entailed using videoconferencing tools as a means of emulating face-to-face teaching, albeit inhibited by the limitations and the affordances of the technologies. While research into mobile learning prospered prior to the pandemic, long periods of lockdown saw them being used as little more than a backup for when other technologies experienced technical difficulties. In this paper, we discuss not only the often-cited positive effects of technology usage in language learning during COVID, but also the possible negative implications for how technology has come to be used and viewed by learners, teachers, and administrators. Suggestions for a potential way forward in this ‘aftermath’ of the pandemic are discussed, along with some guidelines for making the most of what we have learned about using technology for language learning in the future.

"All of the White People Went First": How Video Conferencing Consolidates Control and Exacerbates Workplace Bias

Workplace bias creates negative psychological outcomes for employees, permeating the larger organization. Workplace meetings are frequent, making them a key context where bias may occur. Video conferencing (VC) is an increasingly common medium for workplace meetings; we therefore investigated how VC tools contribute to increasing or reducing bias in meetings. Through a semi-structured interview study with 22 professionals, we found that VC features push meeting leaders to exercise control over various meeting parameters, giving leaders an outsized role in affecting bias. We demonstrate this with respect to four core VC features---user tiles, raise hand, text-based chat, and meeting recording---and recommend employing at least one of two mechanisms for mitigating bias in VC meetings---1) transferring control from meeting leaders to technical systems or other attendees and 2) helping meeting leaders better exercise the control they do wield.

Building accountability and client–officer relationships through videoconferencing: Exploring best practices for community corrections

The COVID-19 pandemic forced community corrections agencies worldwide to use remote technologies to prevent the spread of the virus. A growing body of the literature suggests that video-conferencing is poised to be a core practice within community correctional settings. However, little is known about the best practice strategies for incorporating videoconferencing into routine supervision. We address this gap by interviewing and conducting focus groups with a sample of community correction officers from the US ( N = 16). We identified the presence of the law enforcement—social work dichotomy in remote settings, reflected in challenges and opportunities when holding clients accountable and establishing client–officer relationships. Our findings show that officers relying on evidence-based practices (EBPs) were able to use videoconferencing tools to overcome remote challenges. We suggest that establishing in-person relationships, adapting EBP, and taking care of logistics are critical steps to strengthen remote accountability and client–officer relationships. We conclude by discussing future research areas.

Video Conferencing Tools: Comparative Study of the Experiences of Screen Reader Users and the Development of More Inclusive Design Guidelines

Since the first lockdown in 2020, video conferencing tools have become increasingly important for employment, education, and social interaction, making them essential tools in everyday life. This study investigates the accessibility and usability of the desktop and mobile versions of three popular video conferencing tools, Zoom, Google Meet, and MS Teams, for visually impaired people interacting via screen readers and keyboard or gestures. This involved two inspection evaluations to test the most important features of the desktop and mobile device versions and two surveys of visually impaired users to obtain information about the accessibility of the selected video conferencing tools. Sixty-five people answered the survey for desktop and 94 for mobile platforms. The results showed that Zoom was preferred to Google Meet and MS Teams but that none of the tools was fully accessible via screen reader and keyboard or gestures. Finally, the results of this empirical study were used to develop a set of guidelines for designers of video conferencing tools and assistive technology.

Re‐evaluating online oral examinations

Re‐evaluating online oral examinations

Low-delay interactive rendering of virtual acoustic environments with extensions for distributed low-delay transmission of audio and bio-physical sensor data

In this study, we present a system that enables low-delay rendering of interactive virtual acoustics. The tool operates in the time domain based on a physical sound propagation model with basic room acoustic modelling and a block-wise update and interpolation of the environment geometry. During the pandemic, the tool was extended by low-delay network-transmission of audio and sensor data, e.g., from motion sensors or bio-physical sensors such as EEG. With this extension, distributed rendering of turn-taking conversations as well as ensemble music performances with individual head-tracked binaural rendering and interactive movement of directional sources is possible. Interactive communication requires a low time delay in sound transmission, which is particularly critical for musical communication, where the upper limit of tolerable delay is between 30 and 50 ms, depending on the genre. Our system can achieve latencies between 7 (dedicated local network) and 100 ms (intercontinental connection), with typical values of 25–40 ms. This is far below the delay achieved by typical video-conferencing tools and is sufficient for fluent speech communicationand music applications. In addition to a technical description of the system, we show here example measurement data of head motion behaviour in a distributed triadic conversation.