CU-SeeMe is a wonderful videoconferencing tool developed at Cornell University. It allows computer users to see and hear each other over computer networks. The program is shareware, and we've provided a link for you here to download either the Macintosh or Windows version. Be sure to select the latest version.
The way CU-SeeMe works is similar to tin-can telephones (c'mon, we know you remember those). Like sound waves traveling over a string between two cans, it allows audio and video information packets to travel over data lines between computers. To learn more about CUSM, you can read the online versions of the Frequently Asked Questions . If you would like to set up your school with CU-SeeMe, write us or email us at cearch@metalab.unc.edu and we'll try to help you do so.

Cisco and the Global Schoolhouse Project

To get a better idea of what CU-SeeMe looks like, check out some of these screen captures taken during CU-SeeMe sessions involving Cisco Systems and the Global Schoolhouse Project.

Tokyo, Japan and Oceanside, California, April 8, 1995

John Morgridge, Cisco Systems Chairman of the Board, introduces the Global Schoolhouse to Japanese teachers at the Internet Association Japan (IAJ) School Networking Seminar.

UK/LA Demonstration of the Global Schoolhouse, November 3, 1994

During the "UK-LA '94" festival (a 67 day celebration of British arts, business, education and technology in LA, CA), student ambassadors from Global Schoolhouse Project classrooms in California, Washington DC, England, and Australia participated in a live interactive video-conference over the Internet (using the CU-SeeMe application), which was supposed to include the Prince of Wales. Prince Charles canceled at the last minute, but the children from the UK, LA, and Australia went on with the show, telling the world how they use the Internet and how it benefits them in their studies. They also got to interact with the President and CEO of Cisco Systems, John Morgridge, who spoke from Cisco headquarters in San Jose, California. At Mr. Morgridge's request, the LA students sang a song they wrote about the Global Schoolhouse Project.

Thousands of people from all over the world observed this historic conference using video applications (both CU-SeeMe and the Multicast Backbone--MBONE) on the Internet, as well as listening to it courtesy of a phone conference bridge provided by MCI. Cornell University, Pacific Bell, CERFnet/General Atomics and Sprint, as well as hundreds of other volunteers, also contributed to make this project happen.

This was yet another successful example of how business, education and government is working together to improve the quality of education in schools worldwide. Cisco Systems is proud to be a sponsor of the Global Schoolhouse Project, which is dedicated to demonstrating how internetworking technology and a connection to the Internet can be used to create a worldwide classroom without walls. In the words of John Morgridge, "The information highway eliminates the boundaries of time and place when it comes to access to information and education. In the networked world, the only barrier to entry is the capacity of one's own mind."

Oklahoma ONEnet Conference, September 15 1994: Global Schoolhouse Demo

Senator Dianne Feinstein visits Cisco and the Global Schoolhouse Project on December 15, 1993

To the Virtual Schoolhouse

To the Cisco Educational ARCHive