Is Videoconferencing the Killer App1 for K-12 Distance Education?

Abstract

This paper overviews a multi-mode research study of Internet Protocol (IP) videoconferencing applications in five early adopter school divisions in Alberta, an oil-rich province located in Western Canada. The applications exploited the affordances of the Alberta SuperNet, a new, very high speed digital network. The study included site visits, surveys, stru c t u red classroom observations, and research interventions. The study revealed effective use of videoconferencing for enrichment, professional development, and administration, with less successful application as the primary tool for distance education delivery. I conclude the paper with a discussion of my own reflections on the use of videoconferencing and its capacity to serve as a 'killer app” for distance education.