As with so much of this stuff, it's really down to context. My situation was using cheap web-cams across a rather slow broadband connection, some of the kids were still on dial-up. If there's say 8 in a group, networking that amount of video/audio data is extremely problematic. On top of that, we were working with a group of very reluctant learners who used technical problems as one additional strategy to undermine a lesson.
I have used 'proper' VC and it's very kewel when it works, but using current affordable technology I still think it's more trouble than it's worth. But, of course, that depends on to context - if you are trying to connect hearing impared users live, then signing via video could be transforming.
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