“Through the looking glass” – visions and impact of interactive video conferencing on a rural community

Interactive video conferencing is a two way communication medium exchanging voice, picture, document and graphic links via ordinary telephone lines. The Waikato Polytechnic was the first educational institution to install video conferencing. It now offers dozens of courses with this innovative technology. The Waikato Polytechnic has the equipment and the expertise to deliver distant packages through interactive video conferencing. At present it is poised to use this medium to optimum value through Te Kuiti, Thames, Taumarunui and Gisborne for 1996 onwards. Aim 1: Develop an inspirational “starter kit” for other rural communities to use as a guide for implementation of the Interactive Television Conferencing unit in their region. Aim 2: Research the transferability of this medium between the successful Australian experience and New Zealand. Aim 3: Use the vehicle of the Kellogg Leadership Programme to promote, collect data and present Interactive Videoconferencing as a viable, accessible and necessary mechanism for the advancement of “Up skilling a nation” as per current Government Initiatives ie NZQA, Skills NZ, TOPs philosophy. Aim 4: To produce a short video showing both the TWP site classroom in action and WLC’s or Te Haeta in action (which ever is more cost effective).