Using Web conferencing software and hosting the service internally has its own set of advantages. Web conferencing service providers usually price their services in terms of number of seats and charge for each conference and this can prove to be rather expensive in the long run. Although the initial costs for Web conferencing software may be high, the payback is quick if the number of Web conferences organized is large in terms of their frequency or the number of participants. Having its own Web conferencing software also allows the company to brand it with its own marketing messages so that anyone dialing in receives the marketing communication.

The main disadvantage of hosting the service internally is that the company has to continually keep track of the latest technological developments and keep upgrading the software. It is prudent to opt for a total cost of ownership analysis before making any kind of purchase decision.

While purchasing Web conferencing software a few important factors can have a significant bearing on costs. It is important to specify exactly what users’ conferencing requirements are. Cutting down on bells and whistles, which are not really being used, can help in reducing costs significantly.

An ideal approach could be to begin with a Web conferencing solution available in both externally hosted and internally hosted versions, so that customers who wish to initially use the services of an external conference service provider, and then migrate the conferencing software over time to on-site, can do so without user and IT training.

Today, many US and European universities resort to opening and maintaining campuses in London, one of the most expensive cities in the world, to enable their students access to the wealth of experiences and teaching resources that the city offers.

In business, the advantages of professional and executive education are undermined by the significant travel and living costs combined with the prolonged absence of key employees from the work place.

According to the research conducted by the British Council, in fast developing economies like China and India the demand for highly experienced tutors and lecturers critically exceeds supply, affecting the realization of economic development to its full potential.

Teaching quality has also been a major concern. UNESCO states that “Faced with an unprecedented teacher shortage, some countries are now turning to low-paid, poorly trained teachers.”

Addressing these issues, BridgesEducation (www.bridgeseducation.org) uses videoconferencing to deliver a wide range of lectures, seminars and programs designed and presented by hundreds of high-profile speakers from leading UK universities, research centers and companies.

This system not only ensures high academic standards, but also offers clear financial benefits. “It’s a win-win situation,” says Kemi Pearce from the Advisory Centre for Education, “We avoid costly travel, hotels and living expenses whilst we retain the energy and interactivity of live delivery.”

Many in education have experienced videoconferencing in the past with different levels of success, resulting in hundreds of unused facilities on campuses around the world. But the technology has come a long way since it was introduced in the early 90s. Today it is not only much more affordable, reliable and interactive; it also offers features such as computer presentations, online broadcast and audience participation from multiple locations at one time.

Michelle Grant, development officer at BridgesEducation, is optimistic about global access to high quality tuition. “At present a few major centers offer a considerable proportion of academic and professional expertise. Now, with the help of technology, the location will become less and less relevant.”

It may take time for traditional education providers to realize the power of technology to its full potential, but by using videoconferencing as its main method of delivery, BridgesEducation marks the beginning of a new era.

Stas Spector is a specialist in distance learning technology at the Advisory Centre for Education in London.

Audio books offer various benefits such as the ability to rent or buy instructional books and enjoy them at your own pace. Interested in studying Spanish? Try an audio-book! It’s easy to review current business practises, you can even explore religious or spiritual trends. Audio-books are for sale in a multitude of titles and literary genres. Whether you love history, nuts about horror or interested in personal development, it’s easy to download most audio-books straightaway. Various plans are available; you can easily subscribe to a plan and hire titles or make a purchase.

Reading will always be a necessary skill, however audio-books offer a handy alternative. Some stories, for instance audiobooks narrated by William (Billy) Brand, can be more enjoyable when performed by the writer or a famous actor. Simply reading a book is not quite the same as enjoying an audio book performed by Clayborne Carson, with subtleties presented during a performance. Hearing audio titles recounted by Ian Kerner can contribute more meaning to your reading experience and often can mean much more to you than the words on a page.

Don’t forget audio-books when you next want to purchase a novel, they can give you wonderful means of fitting all the studying you need to achieve into a hectic life.