News

14 types of usages for videoconferencing (VC) in education


18/11/2019

For a few years now, the range of digital tools made available to secondary level schools has been steadily increasing: computers, interactive whiteboards, application software, blogs and websites, tablets, etc. This portfolio is part of a universally engaged program to revamp the entire educational school system: give students the new skills they will need to succeed in their future professional life, teach them how to work differently and collaborate on projects, in addition to setting up new pedagogical models like the flipped classroom, proposing new contents such as coding… In short, adapt to the world of the 21st century.

For a few years now, the range of digital tools made available to secondary level schools has been steadily increasing: computers, interactive whiteboards, application software, blogs and websites, tablets, etc. This portfolio is part of a universally engaged program to revamp the entire educational school system: give students the new skills they will need to succeed in their future professional life, teach them how to work differently and collaborate on projects, in addition to setting up new pedagogical models like the flipped classroom, proposing new contents such as coding… In short, adapt to the world of the 21st century.

VC, videoconferencing (i.e. 2-ways video communication) is part of this digital portfolio, although not yet deeply entrenched in middle and high schools. Various reasons, among which the rather prohibitive cost of professional solutions in the past, some ignorance of the usages and advantages of this type of tool, and a probable overabundance of novelties to which teachers have to accommodate gradually: coding, VR/AR, AI ...

Some cheap-to-free proprietary solutions such as Skype, Adobe Connect, Hangout, GoToMeeting… have helped remove some of these barriers, but they have some limitations in terms of security of exchanges, prohibition to use for a time by some Ministries of Education, non-compatibility with professional (H.323/SIP) systems installed in the business world (thus limiting access to professional experts), availability limited to the PC and its webcam, which cannot capture image of a whole class.

Today, the sharp drop in cost to acquire a professional videoconferencing solution, compared to the range of applications it allows and time and costs it can save, suggests that the time has come to introduce it in middle to high schools.

About a year ago, I wrote a short brochure whose intent was to summarize the bases, concepts, advantages, of a videoconferencing solution in a secondary level school, and depict its very many different usages, grouped in three categories: pedagogical, social and administrative environment. Some explanations and examples are provided for each category.

For pedagogy, did you know that a VC solution can be used for distant teaching, virtual field trips, foreign language practice, bring-the-expert session, pedagogical project; relating to social aspects, did you know that VC can help support the medical handicap, fight social isolation, integrate deaf-mute students in a normal class, participate to multi-sites events, celebrations or schools anniversary; and are you aware that VC can help in many operational aspects: teachers/admin/staff training, remote exam for students, recruitment, meetings with local/regional authorities…

All this is presented in a 15 pages brochure titled '14 ways videoconferencing can help schools meet 21st century's challenges', that is available to anyone interested; just ask me via a mail message at JF@raffestin.com . Enjoy reading it !

 

Jean-François Raffestin

VC Expert

+33 6 80 91 58 61