Glossary » videoconferencing

videoconferencing

systems permitting people at separate locations to communicate via video and audio.

Some common design considerations for videoconferencing systems include:

• desktop vs. conference room – is the system designed for personal use or for group meetings?
• gaze awareness and eye contact – can users see where others are looking, to help establish rapport and common ground?
• supplemental groupware applications – what other software is available during a videoconferencing session (e.g. decision-making software, shared whiteboards)?
• privacy and reciprocity considerations – can a one-way video connection be established?
• video quality – how large does the image need to be to be useful? is a wide-angle lens useful?
• audio localization – in conference rooms, is it possible to determine who said what over a video connection?