However, you will have to make some adjustments while preparing your course for this new type of delivery system. Practice and course preparation are the two main keys to successful distance learning. Many instructors have found that taping a dry run of their lecture, prior to their actual class, helps them tremendously in becoming more effective and comfortable in from of the camera. The following are a few guidelines:

• Prepare your lectures beforehand. The better prepared you are, the more successful the conference.
• Arrange a class meeting location for all sites. Make sure that each site is reserve for the proper times.
• Schedule times for the interactive videoconferences.
• When setting up cameras for a presentation, adjust the cameras so that they show a comfortable and reasonable view of the participants.
• Set objectives and establish an agenda.
• Develop graphics and other visual aids.
• All printed materials used for the interactive videoconferences will have to be mailed, faxed to students at remote sites, or available on a web site.
• A method of receiving and returning assignments will need to be arranged. For example, have students send their assignments via the computer, grade them, and send them back the same manner.
• Bulletin boards, designated listservs, or e-mail are some examples of effective methods for this situation.
• If tests are given, arrange for proctors to be present at remote sites.

Learner-centered instruction places learners at the center of the educational experience, focuses on their diverse needs and characteristics and places value on the expectations and experience they bring to the learning situation. Research during the past decade has acknowledged the importance learner-centered instruction and has also pointed out the diverse nature of learners.

There are a number of ways to assess and determine characteristics and expectations:

• Prepare and send a participant biography to assess needs and ask for other participant information.
• Ask if participants have special needs; determine if there are cultural needs
• Orient participants to learning via interactive videoconferencing.
• Prepare a brief "ice-breaker’ at the first session.
• Ask about participant "at-a-distance" expectations.
• Assess participants’ learning styles and preferences and incorporate activities to address them
• Draw on participant experiences.
• Provide immediate feedback

In the environment of interactive videoconferencing, the team concept is essential for the development, design, and implementation of courses and programs.

Roles and responsibilities of team players are extremely important and should be clearly defined and communicated to provide a solid working relationship throughout the design and development process. An ideal team includes:

• The instructor, serves as the content expert and is responsible for live instruction and facilitation over the interactive videoconference.
• The coordinator, the liaison between the instructor and other members of the team.
• Site coordinators, personnel assigned at each site to work closely with the site technology personnel for setup and room accommodations and to work closely with the faculty and assist the learners.
• The instructional designer who helps the instructor visualize the difference between the traditional classroom and the interactive video conference and guides the instructor in program adaptation or new program creation.
• The graphics designer, who assists in designing overheads, computer graphics, other visuals and print materials.
• Technology personnel, responsible for equipment setup, dial-up to connect the sites, signal testing and trouble-shooting during pre-program testing and during the program sessions.

Since an interactive videoconference is a visual medium, the design of your visuals and graphics is very important. The number of visuals and graphics will vary with the program. Be sensitive to the appropriate balance. A rule-of-thumb is not to use more than 30 visuals per hour. When in doubt, simpler is better. The following are some helpful guidelines:

When preparing visuals, the first task is to decide on the page orientation. There are two choices:

Landscape is a better choice since most television screens are wider than they are high.

After choosing your page orientation, now define the work space available on the page.

It is safe to leave a 10% border around the entire graphic.

The final picture we see is wider than it is high by 3 units to 4. The aspect ratio of all television pictures is the ratio of 3 to 4, oriented horizontally.

Keep graphics simple and readable.

Make it Large and Simple.

Limit the Number of Lines. Follow the Rule of 7: Limit yourself to seven words per line and 7 lines per page.

The choice of style should depend on the situation. The following are some guidelines.

• Use plain text as a matter of course
• Use bold for emphasis
• Avoid italics as it does not show up well on the screen.
• Use normal spacing rather than a condensed or an extended style.

Use upper case letters is justified in the case of CAPTIONS or LABELS. Avoid using capitals unnecessarily.