– By Pushpa Sathish, Staff Writer

The Indiana University is furthering the cause of online education with the new and innovative two-way videoconferencing technology across all its 8 campuses. Implemented at a cost of $3,000 to $13,000 for each station, the university has a total of 250 to support its initiative in extending an education to students unable to attend daily lessons on campus.

The system adds life to the text-only or text/voice scenarios usually seen in distance and online education. Teleconferences at Bloomington and IU-Purdue University Indianapolis use the two-way videoconferencing technology to enable those with full-time jobs to earn a degree from IU. Professors at the university are also harnessing the system to teach unusual classes and courses at institutions where they are not available. ISD News reports:

“The cost isn’t very great because we are running it using the Internet,” said Bryan McCormick, associate professor in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, who uses videoconferencing for one of the graduate classes he teaches. “By using the Internet, we can connect to pretty much anyone who has that capability.”