Top 10 Ways to Use Video Conferencing in the Classroom

Today, one thing I envy about being a student is the availability of innovative education technologies. One of which is of course my personal favorite, video conferencing. I have to dig deep into my memory bank and think about my days as a collegiate, but I firmly believe that video conferencing would have enhanced my experience.

Nothing can replace the richness of face-to-face classroom dynamics, but video eliminates distance, invites collaboration, and increases mobility for both the student and the teacher. Here are just 10 ways to use video conferencing in the classroom.  

1)      Distance Learning – In Alabama, a program called ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide), offers free web-based video conferencing classes for students in grades 8-12. For more rural areas, virtual environments have been key to enabling students to access the classes they need. This program is credited with contributing to the increase of Alabama’s overall high school graduation rate from 2002-2008.

2)      Discuss Live Event – About a month ago a professor attended the Democratic National Convention and reported back on it to his students over video conferencing. It’s costly and not feasible to take a field trip to a big event like this, but talking to someone who’s on the ground, is just as good as being there! 

3)      Labs/Demos- Can you imagine taking a cooking class from home? With a company called DishUp Today- you can! All you need to do is register for a class, buy the ingredients and turn on the video camera from your very own kitchen.  Now all we need is smell-a-vision and we’re good to go.

4)      Connect Classrooms – Most often, professors teach more than one section. As a student, I was always curious about the discussions that went on in those other sections and other classmates I could’ve collaborated with.

5)      Study Groups – At one point I lived off-campus and all the people in my small group were on campus. It would have been nice to have video conferencing to connect up on projects without having to find parking. 

6)      Go International– I had a roommate who majored in International Business and I was always curious about what the ‘International’ part meant. I think she would’ve liked to talk to a business professional in another country and get a sense of what to expect if she were to take her career abroad. 

7)      Interviews – I would have loved to have been able to interview alumni or a professional in my field before I graduated. An interaction like this would have been valuable as I considered my career path.

8)      Office Hours – I recall that one of my teachers was an adjunct and would have to travel an hour in LA traffic just to make office hours. Imagine being able to take office hours from your home office, or better yet, your dorm! (Just remember to take down that One Direction poster.)

9)      Faculty Forum- When all the academics are in the room, animated discussions are never very far. Very rarely would I see my professors in the same room and it would have been interesting to gather them all in one place to hear their perspectives on an issue in real time.

10)   Guest Lecturers- Some of the greatest academic minds live thousands of miles away. Wouldn't it be great to have Stephen Hawking come into your classroom and give A Brief History of Time? 

I'm sure there are many more creative and innovative ways to use video conferencing in the classroom. Try our free trial today and tell us of another!