How Video Conferencing is Changing Education?

Ever since the internet took off during the 1990’s,access to information and ease of communication have both improved exponentially. Some sectors such as media have embraced the internet and all it has to offer,while education also welcomed it with open arms.

Education today is rapidly evolving and changing in order to keep pace with technological advancements and emerging teaching practices. By utilizing tools like video conferencing,educators are able to shrink geographical barriers and expand interaction potential by connecting students to other educators,students or experts regardless of location.

Video conferencing can be used in different ways to improve students’ experiences inside the education system. With the help of technology,students and teachers can solve common problems that hinder learning and create a more conducive environment. Below are 5 ways video conferencing can enhance learning:

1. Learning becomes a collaborative effort

Traditionally,students have been limited to the classroom and any resources they might have. However,with video conferencing,these resources are greatly expanded. With video collaboration technology,experts and other educators outside of the classroom can connect virtually to students and share expertise and experience regardless of location. This type of distance learning allows students to participate in new cultural and learning experiences that they may not have encountered in a traditional classroom.

2. Virtual field trips make learning more fun

Video conferencing improves the experience students get during field trips while eliminating the inconveniences,like long hours of travel,expensive costs,and problems with logistics. Teachers also don’t have to worry students wandering away from the group. This also makes it possible for students to explore places that are hundreds of miles away. Virtual field trips can offer a far more educational and enjoyable experience.

3. Connect with other schools

Another great use of video collaboration in schools is virtually connecting schools together. Bringing students together from different locations to interact with each other allows students to gain insights and another perspective from their peers,regardless of where the other school is located.

It can help teach students how to collaborate and work together with people who may be different than them and teaches students a new kind of interaction that can help to enhance their interpersonal communication skills. Use of video conferencing to connect students can expose them to different types of classroom topics,challenges,and insights that they wouldn’t normally experience.

4.Polling resources

One of the best possible uses for video conferencing in education is for jointly-run lessons between different schools. For subjects like history,it could be used for joint projects such as fact-finding and archaeological digs. It could also be useful for pooling resources,which at a time when some schools are under pressure to cut costs,could be invaluable.

5. Personalized learning

With video conferencing,teachers can have more one-on-one interactions with students and adjust lessons plans accordingly to the needs of either an individual student or an entire classroom. It also allows teachers to interact with students outside of the classroom.

If a student in unable to attend school due to some sort of medical emergency or any other kind of issue,a teacher can use video conferencing technology to keep a student up to date on classroom activity and assignments so the student does not fall behind. Not only does this benefit the student,but it also keeps the teacher connected to the class and each individual student.