Information Technology Services | Interactive Video Conferencing (IVN)

New River's interactive video conferencing network (IVN) is comprised of more than 40 different Zoom Room locations and is intended to support the College's curriculum by connecting remote students, instructors, other institutions, guest speakers, and other persons or groups related to the College and its community. The majority of these videoconferencing connections are made among New River's four campuses and additional off-campus locations to create shared classroom experiences. Using the freely available Zoom client application, users can literally connect from any location to a New River Zoom Room.

2. IVN Classroom Equipment and Phones

Each Zoom Room has a video projector, instructor computer, video cameras, microphones, possibly a Cisco phone, and possibly a large-screen TV display. These locations rely on the course schedule to automate the beginning and end of each Zoom meeting/class and managed by the IT staff using Zoom.

Cisco phones provide quick access to the IVN support staff as well as to each of the other Zoom classrooms. The phone also serves as an audio backup among sites in the event of any technical issues with the IVN audio (see list of rooms with phone numbers). The speed dial buttons on each of the model 7931 phones is now configured for one-button access to any of the IVN classrooms (see photo).

3. Support for IVN

Technical support for the IVN system of Zoom rooms is available during hours posted in our online Help Desk Schedule. The IVN equipment is designed so that users can typically be self-sufficient.

Our support staff collaborates with others to develop and provide instructor training information and assistance. We provide equipment maintenance, scheduling, and troubleshooting for all New River IVN locations and assistance for the users who remotely connect to these locations.

Most Zoom Rooms have a Cisco phone with two speed-dial buttons pre-configured for AM Support and PM Support. The AM Support button rings to 304-793-3002 and the PM Support button rings to 304-818-2022 (which is forwarded to Nate), but our general Help Desk is typically able to assist as well (304-929-6725).

4. Scheduling and Recording

The New River schedule of courses includes IVN and Zoom classes which are denoted by an Instructional Method (IM) of IVN, IVNE, IVNH, IVNW, or ZOOM. Academic Services staff create the course schedules and enter it into Banner, so course scheduling or enrollment issues must be resolved by them, but reporting the issue to the Help Desk will help us identify and resolve the issue collaboratively with them.

IVN classes are configured to automatically record to the Zoom Cloud web site (https://newriver.zoom.us). Meetings that are created by individuals with Zoom Basic accounts instead of Zoom PRO accounts can only be recorded to the local computer of the meeting creator. Zoom Rooms are automatically connected to scheduled class meetings (without anyone in the room pressing any buttons).

To schedule and record administrative meetings, please contact the IVN support staff or the Help Desk with scheduling requests (304-929-6725). Please provide at least 3 days advanced notice. The service is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Scheduling priority will be given to those events that most directly support the mission and curriculum of the College. Zoom rooms are available to employees and to student groups for co-curricular events.

5. Training and Information for IVN Instructors and Students

Teaching and learning in the IVN environment poses new challenges to instructors and students who are faced with (1) using the equipment while also (2) communicating effectively with both on-site and remote locations. The following links may be useful to instructors and students new to this environment:

6. Fee Structure

Occasionally, when scheduling allows it, the IVN facilities are reserved for agencies outside New River. For these events an hourly fee is charged to cover the use of the equipment as well as required technician fees.