Welsh Video Network Welsh Video Network

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Education & Learning Wales United Kingdom Education & Research Networking Association
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Frequently Asked Questions

Support & Training 


What support is available for institutions?
 
The WVN runs a support and help desk which is operational between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. every working day (not weekends or bank holidays). This help-desk can be contacted for immediate assistance by telephone - 01792 295700, email: support@wvn.ac.uk , or using the videoconferencing equipment itself: ISDN number 01970 639469 (University of Wales, Aberystwyth Support Office)  or 01792 513501 (University of Wales, Swansea Support Office).
 
There are support web pages on the WVN website covering  Studio Design, Videoconferencing Equipment, and Networking issues  (http://www.wvn.ac.uk/support/). Technical contacts at institutions can also join the email lists which are described in the support pages. 
 
For further technical support you may also choose to contact one of the project Support Team, whose details are available at: http://www.wvn.ac.uk/contact.htm although for an immediate response, we recommend that you use the helpdesk number.
 
What training has been available for technical staff?
 
An initial programme of Technical Training has already been provided by Pinacl Communication Systems Ltd in conjunction with the WVN Support Team. These were held during July 2001 at six different venues throughout Wales. Two members of staff from each institution were invited to attend.
 
Who should have attended these technical training days?
 
At least one person who has a role in Media/Audio-Visual support in the institution, plus one other, who may be involved in supporting the institution’s data network. Further training will be undertaken by the Welsh Video Network Support Team (see below). It will be the responsibility of each institution to ensure that those receiving technical training pass the training on to other technical support personnel within their institution.
 
Will there be any further training for technical support staff at institutions?

All institutions have had the opportunity to send two local technical support staff to WVN technical training days. However, due to staff changes and other factors, there may be a need to revisit this technical training for some institutions. If this is the case for your institution, contact a member of the WVN support team to discuss your needs.

 
What training will be available for users of the service?
 
An initial series of user training sessions for academic, administrative and support staff were delivered by the WVN Support Centre in conjunction with the RSC Wales. These were pilot sessions, and took place during June/July 2001 as part of the ILT Champions initiative

The WVN Support Centre is publishing practical help and guidance on the WVN web site, in the form of Studio Guides and MS PowerPoint presentations. Further training materials are planned, including a studio control simulator. 

Many of the technical support staff who have attended technical training days should be able to offer basic training in using the equipment to members of the administrative and teaching staff at each institution. Many institutions' ILT Champions have also received training in using the equipment and should be able to offer local support to staff wishing to make use of the studios.

There will be further opportunities for teaching staff to have training in using the equipment and getting the best out of it.  Further training days, organised in conjunction with the RSC-Wales will be well publicised. The WVN support team members do not have sufficient resources to be able to offer staff training for all institutions, but the RSC-Wales have experience in this area, and have various initiatives and materials available for training teaching staff. 

 
Is there any information available regarding using videoconferencing for teaching and learning?
 
Please see the answer in the videoconferencing section of the FAQ.
 
© The JNT Association, 2003 TOP WVN Web Team