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Delivery of educational programming via video communication technologies has become commonplace. But delivering education this way is not an overnight process. It takes time, planning, and some adapted teaching methods. This section will help prepare you to teach and present information via video technologies.

Definitions and Delivery Methods
Many ways exist to get a video signal from the origination site to a remote site. Following is a brief definition/description of video delivery methods.

Compressed video -- This delivery system, also called "videoconferencing," is two-way; people at two or more sites can see and hear each other. Video is sent over standard telephone lines. As a result of the compression required to send the video through the telephone lines, the picture quality is not as crisp as what we are accustomed to in "regular" television. Compressed video can be delivered only to locations that have specialized equipment.

Satellite -- A television signal is sent up (uplink) to a satellite in geostationary orbit; the signal is then amplified and sent down to Earth. Sites with a receiving dish (downlink) and the satellite transmission information will be able to view the program. Satellite transmission is used when a video program has to be sent to many sites simultaneously. This is a one-way delivery method (remote sites can see and hear origination site, but not the other way around.) Many schools, universities and industries and some homes have satellite downlink dishes.

Videotape -- VHS videotapes can be used to deliver educational programming to schools or to individuals in their homes.

Learn more about creating materials for video-based courses.