Telecom Lead India: Deepak Braganza, country manager, LifeSize India & South Asia, says video conferencing allows instructors to conduct remote classes worldwide, with the trainer or teacher being at only one location so that the students can attend the class from anywhere.
Modern education has been seeking a solution that could increase its teaching effectiveness, and could minimize its impact on financial and physical resources. Onsite training/teaching is often costly, time-consuming and resource-intensive. Video conferencing allows instructors to conduct remote classes worldwide, with the trainer or teacher being at only one location so that the students can attend the class from anywhere. Also the students can understand the information easily with a video teaching rather than from the usual blackboard teaching. Additionally, the students who cannot attend the class in person are still able to keep up with the instruction over video conferencing (or by working out of a video conferencing facility).
Educators strive to provide high quality instruction, measurable results and an enriching experience to students of all ages. Today, education providers face increasing challenges with tight budgets, stretched resources, and dispersed campuses and teachers.
Primary, secondary and higher learning institutions across developed countries are discovering the value of high definition (HD) video conferencing. It provides high quality, true-to-life communication, helping educators extend access to learning, to subject matter experts, and to improved project collaboration. The superior quality of HD video conferencing, streaming and recording, combined with dramatically lower costs provides educators with the tools needed to expand the realm of teaching possibilities and help students prepare for the future.
The immersive nature of HD video encourages teachers and students to interact naturally, sharing content freely and effectively. Providing students live or on demand video access without compromise ensures students are fully engaged, and have complete access to the curriculum.
As the technology has developed, HD is now able to deliver crystal-clear picture and reliable performance at any bandwidth level, and is now at a price point that schools and educational institutions can consider broad deployment as an affordable and natural extension of today’s educational communication network.
Innovative educators have been using video communication in a myriad of exciting ways, and its applications are limited only to a teacher’s imagination.
Beyond the traditional classroom – Teaching and research will surely improve when students and faculty can experience remote places first hand, and interact with the experts without leaving the classroom. HD video makes interaction with experts around the country and the world possible, where previously travel costs and time limitations were inhibitors. Teachers can invite guest speakers to their classes or hold panel discussions with authorities from around the world.
Remote education – Today’s technology allows for far more interactive and personal teaching with video conferencing. Students have access to teachers, lectures and presentations wherever they may be. With multiparty video communication, remote students can collaborate with their peers and classmates in other locations, encouraging team work and group learning that would otherwise be impossible.
Technical education – Highly technical classes, including robotics, science and medical research, can be easily discussed, and diagrams and calculations can be easily viewed without having to be in the same room. Students in creative subjects such as music, visual arts and performing arts can receive real-time assistance and feedback.
Streaming live lectures – With HD video communication, teachers can record and stream lectures live, and students can choose to view on demand as often as needed, wherever they may be in the country or the world. Presentations, electronic whiteboards and fast frame digital content can all be shared and viewed clearly with HD video.
Virtual excursions – Schools are using HD video conferencing to arrange interactive student excursions to distant locations without having to leave the classroom. Foreign galleries, libraries and museums can be visited with live discussions from curators. The quality and resolution of this medium allows for students to examine works of art or artifacts as if they were actually there.
Collaboration – Forging new partnerships between schools, community colleges and content providers across the globe creates opportunities for expanded educational programs, teamwork and peer collaboration.
After hours tuition – Educational institutions are connecting teachers with students after school hours for extended instruction. Students at schools can connect to teachers for help with homework or to re-explain concepts or discussions one-on-one; which is often a difficult task to facilitate in the classroom. Students gain greater individual attention for increased learning and teachers are better able to assess students’ capabilities or issues for future lesson planning.
Parent communication – Remote schools and boarding schools are beginning to introduce HD video for parent communication. Parents unable to attend parent/teacher events due to time and distance can connect to teachers and gain a better understanding of their child’s progress. Students at boarding schools can speak to their families face to face, whether they are in the same state or in another country, providing a level of contact and closeness often inaccessible during term time.
Special needs students – HD video conferencing is ideal for students with special needs that cannot be met in a classroom setting. Those with hearing impairments can speak to classmates and teachers through sign language, while those with additional access requirements need not leave their home or classroom.
Conclusion
Human interaction and communication are basic human needs. Video conferencing is a powerful communication tool that has the potential to change the way we deliver information to students. As globalization affects more of our society, there is an increasing need to be globally aware and tolerant. As tomorrow’s generation, students need to develop an understanding of citizenship on national and international levels, and practice exercising their rights and responsibilities as such. Schools are microcosms of the wider world. Video conferencing is just one of today’s integrative technologies that help educators address these new challenges as they offer opportunities that empower students to prepare for their lives as responsible, integral contributors to society.
Deepak Braganza, country manager, LifeSize India & South Asia
editor@telecomlead.com
