Transcript Communication methods

PROGRESS LEISURE
OCR GCSE ICT
COMMUNICATION METHODS
When working in a team, establishing and maintaining communication is key.
Without clear, open channels of communication, team members can drift away from
the original purpose or new ideas cannot be circulated.
A team leader can also use communication methods to monitor the progress of the
individual parts of the product to make sure they are on schedule to meet the final
deadline.
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COMMUNICATION METHODS
Voice over Internet Protocol
VoIP is a relatively new technology
which allows users to make phone calls
over the Internet.
Voice over internet protocol, users will
use internet connection to make calls.
When making a telephone call, data is
sent as packets. Doesn't use a standard
phone network.
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HOW DOES VOIP WORK?
How does it work?
The technology is fairly straight-forward:
You speak into a microphone that is
connected to a sound card.
The sound card has an 'Analogue-toDigital converter' that translates your
speech into a digital stream.
That data is given a destination address
and off it goes like any other data stream.
The receiving computer has the right VOIP
software to convert the incoming data back
into speech
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USING WITH MOBILE PHONE?
How does it work?
Mobile phones use VoIP software to
make internet calls. Voice conversation
is broken down into packets and
transmitted like a web page using
packet switching
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PACKET SWITCHING?
How does it work?
Packet switching is used in data
networks, rather than circuit switching
as it is more efficient. Packet switching
divides data into small blocks. This is
routed through a series of paths, rather
than sending data over one dedicated
line.
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VOIP BETWEEN TWO PHONE LINES?
How does it work?
Phone number is inputted into VoIP
software call processor. Number is
checked to see if it is valid. Number is
mapped and translated by software
call processor into an IP address. Two
devices are connected by a software
switch, other phone rings. Other phone
is answered and connection is made.
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HOW TO SKYPE TO SKYPE ON MOBILE?
How does it work?
Download and install Skype software.
Create a username and password.
Add Skype contacts. To make Skypeto-Skype calls they must login and,
select a contact and press Call.
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SOFTPHONES?
How does it work?
Softphones are software applications,
used to make VoIP calls by computers
or mobiles.
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PBX – PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE?
How does it work?
Private branch exchange is where
businesses use a private telephone
network.
Staff can make communicate internally
and externally via SHARED lines.
.
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USING A PBX – PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE?
How does it work?
Would allow staff to make external
calls via SHARED lines and to
communicate internally. They could use
softphones or mobiles to make VoIP
calls with other softphones, mobiles or
landlines.
.
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ADVANTAGES OF VOIP
The advantage of VOIP using the
internet is that at its most basic the
system is essentially free as long as
you have an Internet connection.
The next step-up is to use a VOIP
service company such as Skype. They
may offer a free service if you call
other subscribers and then charge for
other calls.
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DISADVANTAGES OF VOIP
Disadvantages
Both ends have to have the right software and hardware
to speak to one another
There is no guarantee of quality when using the Internet no one company owns the internet, so if a part of it is
broken there is no-one to call to fix it.
It uses packet-switching so if packets get dropped along
the way then voice quality drops.
Even when fully working, it is not as high a quality of
voice as a normal telephone line.
It does not work if you have a power-cut, unlike your
normal telephone.
It may not work for emergency service numbers.
Sometimes you just can't tell the emergency services
where you are, so they use some standard telephone
location technology to help locate you. With VOIP this is
more difficult.
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ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION
METHODS
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COMMUNICATION METHODS
Email
Distribution lists allow one email to be
sent to several people at the same time.
You can also keep a record of decisions
by saving emails.
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COMMUNICATION METHODS
Forums
An online forum can be set to private so
only the members of the team can post
messages about the project.
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COMMUNICATION METHODS
Chatrooms
These can also be set to private and
allow team members to chat one-to-one
or as a group in real time.
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COMMUNICATION METHODS
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
VLEs are systems which support learning and
collaborative activities and usually are
accessible online to registered members. They
provide a wide range of tools for
allowing communication between members,
including:
•the sharing of resources
•digital communications in forums and chatrooms
•a central place for project matters
•connection to the project team from any
Internet-enabled machine in the world.
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COMMUNICATION METHODS
Instant messaging
This allows team members to talk one-toone with each other in real time.
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COMMUNICATION METHODS
Intranet
This is a network which is restricted to
certain users, usually within one
company. It can allow files to be shared,
storing them in a central area for
authorised users to access.
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COMMUNICATION METHODS
Extranet
Similar to an Intranet, this also allows
some connectivity to external parties,
usually through a website.
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COMMUNICATION METHODS
Web conferencing
This enables communication via the
Internet using sound and vision through a
webcam and microphone. Web
conferencing is also known as browserbased conferencing.
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COMMUNICATION METHODS
Online whiteboard
This allows users to write messages to
each other, including drawing pictures
which can be useful when discussing
designs and ideas. An example of this is
www.skrbl.com, which allows users to
‘scribble’.
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COMMUNICATION METHODS
Online collaborative organiser
Most diary programs will allow users to
give permission for others to view their
appointments. This can be useful when
trying to organise meetings with several
different people. Microsoft Outlook has
this facility as does Google Calendar.
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QUESTIONS
1.
Define the term 'VoIP communication‘.
2.
Describe how a mobile phone can use VoIP communication technique.
3.
Explain the term 'packet switching‘.
4.
Describe how a VoIP session is established between two phones.
5.
Define the term 'PBX‘.
6.
Describe how Progress Leisure might use a virtual PBX
7.
Describe how a new user will install the software and make a call using the Skype-to-Skype
method.
8.
Define the term 'Softphone‘.
9.
Describe a cost-saving advantage Progress Leisure would gain by using VoIP communication.
10. Select two other commination methods that Progress Leisure might use and explain the benefits.
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ANSWERS
1) Define the term 'VoIP communication‘.
Voice over internet protocol, users will use internet connection to make calls. When making a telephone call, data is sent as packets. Doesn't use a standard
phone network.
2) Describe how a mobile phone can use VoIP communication technique.
Mobile phones use VoIP software to make internet calls. Voice conversation is broken down into packets and transmitted like a web page using packet switching
3) Explain the term 'packet switching‘.
Packet switching is used in data networks, rather than circuit switching as it is more efficient. Packet switching divides data into small blocks. This is routed
through a series of paths, rather than sending data over one dedicated line.
4) Describe how a VoIP session is established between two phones.
Phone number is inputted into VoIP software call processor. Number is checked to see if it is valid. Number is mapped and translated by software call processor
into an IP address. Two devices are connected by a software switch, other phone rings. Other phone is answered and connection is made.
5) Define the term 'PBX‘.
Private branch exchange is where businesses use a private telephone network. Staff can make communicate internally and externally via SHARED lines.
Progress Leisure
ANSWERS
6) Describe how Progress Leisure might use a virtual PBX
To allow staff to make external calls via SHARED lines and to communicate internally. They could use softphones or mobiles to
make VoIP calls with other softphones, mobiles or landlines.
7) Describe how a new user will install the software and make a call using the Skype-to-Skype method.
Download and install Skype software. Create a username and password. Add Skype contacts. To make Skype-to-Skype calls
they must login and, select a contact and press Call.
8) Define the term 'Softphone‘.
Softphones are software applications, used to make VoIP calls by computers or mobiles.
9) Describe a cost-saving advantage Progress Leisure would gain by using VoIP communication.
Lower-call costs as a VoIP service is cheaper than a telephone network, large savings can be made on international calls.
10) Select two other commination methods that Progress Leisure might use and explain the benefits.
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