The effects of the technology boom are not restricted to the business world, but also in other aspects of society as well. Education is an area where the evolution of technology continues to benefit all who partake in it. Whether the students are in grade school, an online high school, or even college, there are programs available now that allow them to enjoy an enhanced experience.
Blue Jeans Network can provide many educational outlets that will allow students to fully immerse themselves in the world around them. For students in grade school who may not have the funds to partake in a physical field trip will now have the opportunity to do so, virtually. The benefits do not end with grade school; however, as high school and college students can benefit from distance learning opportunities created through video conferencing.
Connecting Classrooms
Teachers are constantly looking for new ways to engage their students in order to keep them focused and engaged in the lesson. Students who stay focused in the classroom have a better chance of succeeding academically, according to Herman Miller. One way teachers can engage their students is by connecting them virtually with another classroom.
The second classroom can be located in the same state or it can be located across the world, thanks to video conferencing. By engaging in a video conference, students can learn about different cultures and enjoy a global learning experience, according to The Journal.
Teachers may also use video conferencing to connect with their students who are unable to attend school in person because of a medical condition or other reason. This can enhance the schooling experience for the student who may otherwise feel left out or like they are unable to keep up with their peers, according to eSchoolNews.
Virtual Field Trips
Beyond connecting with their own classmates, students of all ages as well as their teachers enjoy going on field trips. However, a field trip can be costly as well as difficult to schedule around state mandated testing. Rather than losing out on the experience of a field trip, teachers can engage their students in various virtual field trips. Some of the locations that classrooms can visit virtually include the American Museum of Natural History, Antarctica, and even outer space.
In order to consider the field trip a success, it is important that students behave under a code of conduct, according to Internet4Classrooms. As with an in person field trip, this code will keep students from becoming distracted. It can also lay out the teachers academic expectations for the trip.
Teachers can include a lunch break in the field trip like they would if they were physically at the location. In fact this could be a fun class activity. Have students pack a brown bag lunch or contact a company about supplying them and then enjoy sometime in the classroom reflecting on the first part of the trip, or the entire thing. Bring a camera and take pictures of the students to remember the virtual trip, as you would a traditional field trip.
Distance Learning for High School and College
The benefits of virtual learning through video conferencing continuing to grow as students do. As they enter high school, students can continue some of the video conference benefits they’ve enjoyed in grade school. They may even have the option of attending a virtual high school.
By attending a virtual high school, students can enjoy a high school experience at their pace. That is if the traditional school is not challenging enough to them, the virtual school curriculum can be tailored to their academic challenge needs.
Colleges can also benefit from video conferencing through online classes. At times students can even earn their full college degree strictly through distance learning.
Video conferencing can enhance distance learning for both high school and college students as it can allow students to share their work with their teacher and fellow classmates. It can also allow them to speak with the teacher in a virtual face-to-face to address any concerns either party may have.
Video conferencing offers many benefits to enhance a school virtually. Through a video conference session, students who would otherwise be unable to attend class with their peers are able to participate. Some may even be given classroom duties. Teachers can use the tools to educate their students while still allowing them to have on virtual field trips. High school can seem easy for some students in a traditional setting, however, in a virtual setting they are able to challenge themselves to exceed. College students can earn an entire degree online with distance education that includes video conferencing. This means going back to school can once again be an option for working adults or adults that have other commitments and would normally not be able to attend, thereby enhancing their experience.
