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India & SAARC
Video Conferencing Technology is Transforming Students Learning Experiences
Minhaj Zia
With access to the high-speed broadband internet and low lost computers and mobile devices, there has been a growth in the use of technology for learning.
Thanks to technology, education is crossing borders and is opening a world of opportunities for students and educators.
Now more than ever, schools and universities have the opportunity to shape highly skilled students who can meet the demands of an increasingly connected world.
The shift in Mindset:
Education faces major challenges today because technology and globalization have transformed the way that students learn - they have grown up using many different types of technologies, so schools and universities must change to keep up with the times and continue adapting to the way students learn best.
Educational institutions must develop students as global citizens, meet organizational imperatives to operate more efficiently and attract talented students and faculty from throughout the world.
Technology has shifted the definition of education from ‘storing information in the mind’ to ‘being able to find and authenticate credible information then think critically and creatively in response to it.’
Rigid, structured learning is giving way to a more fluid, on-the-go, learning-happens-where-you-are approach. This reflects students’ 24/7 access to their smartphones and mobile devices. Education happens on-demand, when and where students need to learn.
How Video Can Help
Collaboration technologies like video conferencing and content sharing are reshaping how education is delivered, and importantly, how educators experience their workday. It is enabling schools to break down the walls of the classroom and essentially move the classroom and the educator’s office to wherever there are internet and webcam access.
By utilizing collaboration technologies such as video conferencing, educators can:
• Engage students - Today’s students respond very well to visual communications. It helps them clarify their thoughts, and enjoy a richer, interactive learning experience.
Increase reach, equity, and quality – Physical proximity is no longer the determining factor for a successful education. Students can participate in classes from all over the world with simple-to-use, high-quality audio and video solutions—fully immersing themselves in the alive classroom experience. Video conferencing technology can help education institutes improve access to knowledge and academic programs for anyone, anywhere, on any device.
• Collaborate with other schools - Students love to socialize, and they love using video to chat with one another. V ideo c onferencing b etween s chools c an g ive students from different countries and cultures a chance to discuss common issues and current events, including how they can work together to solve global problems. In addition, video conferencing tools can expose students to the technologies being used in the workplace to collaborate with colleagues across the globe effectively.
• Connect with parents - V ideo c hat d oesn’t h ave to be limited for just classrooms; teachers can also use the platform to connect virtually with parents. Parent involvement is critical but getting involvement from them and discussing student issues can be challenging when schedules are busy. Video conferencing can serve as an excellent and more convenient alternative to connect with parents, even for a parent-teacher conference. No matter the time or place, video can bridge the gap of connecting face-to-face with a simple push of a button on platform parents are accustomed to using, including mobile devices.
• Use it for administration - From remote interviews to board meetings, improving workplace efficiencies in areas like content planning, knowledge management, and professional learning, school staff and administration too can benefit from audio and video technologies.
Collaboration tools like video conferencing bring education to a brand-new world - it gives students and educators access to resources they otherwise wouldn’t have.
It is vital that technologies are fully integrated into teaching methodologies and learning environments, both physical and virtual, to unleash their true value for education. By doing so, educators will ensure students are equipped with the skills and knowledge they’ll need to thrive in the workforce of the future.
Education technology isn’t a “nice to have” anymore– it’s critical to the success of all students throughout their education and to the future of educators, as well.
Often, the most successful technology solutions are those that are simple to implement, use and manage. Video conferencing technology is a simple yet critical tool as it offers a major boost to rural schools who previously could only offer a limited choice of course or trainer options.
