VIPER: Evaluation of an Integrated Group VoiceIP Software Application for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Abstract

Recent developments producing new Internet conferencing (IC) and multipoint desktop conferencing (MDC) systems have emerged, which may supersede text-based and audio/video conferencing (AVC) software. The newer IC or MDC systems also integrate interactive tools and have the advantage of operating at a fraction of the cost when compared to AVC systems. Communication by face to face methods are important within the learning process, but can online methods that incorporate sound, video, and integrated online tools be as effective? AVC systems within higher education (HE) have been available for some time although the quality of such approaches, however, has been open to question. This chapter evaluates an exploratory study of one MDC application, “Voice Café,” in a higher education, business school setting. For commercial distinctiveness, the academic application of this software was called “VIPER” (voice Internet protocol extended reach). Consideration is given to the software itself in terms of its features, pedagogic aspects, and how students and faculty viewed its use.