Microsoft Word 2007 ichrie conference Proceedings Final-Final 06-06-07. doc

The Role of Teleconferencing in Distributing Educational Content 
Increased globalization in business is making face-to-face communication an exception rather than the rule 
that was once the only way of holding meetings and conferences (Foroughi
, 
Perkins
 & 
Jessup, 2005). Increased 
awareness of the personal impact of time and costs spent traveling to participate in conferences are compelling 
companies to take advantage of teleconferencing as a way of eliminating or reducing these intrinsic and extrinsic 
costs. Today, with the integration of teleconferencing applications conference delegates can participate from 
disparate locations. 
A teleconference is a virtual meeting among two or more participants involving technology that is more 
sophisticated than a simple two-way phone connection. In its simplest form, a teleconference can be an audio 
conference with one or both ends of the conference sharing a speakerphone. With more equipment and expense a 
teleconference can become a videoconference, in which the participants can see still or motion video images of each 
other. Because of the high bandwidth necessary for the transmission of video and the demand for larger, and 
multiple display screens, a videoconference requires special telecommunication arrangements and a special room at 
each end. As equipment and high-bandwidth cabling become more commonplace, it is possible in the foreseeable 
future that videoconferences will be available on personal computers or in a mobile device setting. 
Teleconferences eliminates the need for traveling to remote locations to attend an educational session, 
meeting, or a conference; it reduces various costs of traveling such as accommodation and transportation; it saves 
time for the attendees, allowing them to participate in the conference or meeting from their office or their home. For 
all these reasons, teleconferencing is predicted to become a mainstream business application.
One of the main functions of associations is to provide learning opportunities for its members through 
education and training sessions held throughout the year. They may hold these education and training activities at 
their annual, semi-annual meetings and conferences, or perform these more often through the year. Thus, they 
require that their members come together in a place to present the educational content. However, as is illustrated so 
far this kind of method of delivering education and training is costly and time consuming for all parties, which in 
turn may lead associations to utilize the new technologies presented above such as webinars and teleconferences. 
These technologies when used by the associations to deliver content in a real time transmission also hasten/speed the 
process of getting the content delivered and help members to stay up-to-date on current issues within an industry. 
Another major advantage of these technologies is allowing members to access the content just in time, which 
support members in preparing for certification exams that are required in may fields. Today, many associations have 
access to provide its membership with a variety of educational opportunities through the application and integration 
of these new communication tools that are cost effective to both the association and its members.