Factors To Consider For Classroom Video Conferencing

Most significantly, use of classroom video conferencing needs particular attention to the

• Comfort level,
• Teaching style, and
• Instructional techniques of the instructor.

In the ideal world, preparation for the use of video conferencing in the classrooms would be minimal. The most important goals should be to create the room as comfortable as possible, de-emphasizing the technology in the room and making the user interface to the system identical and predictable.

Make a session more interesting and, in turn, effective with the help of video conferencing. However, there is a need to make some minor adjustments or adaptations to the style. Need to be well organized and also need to explain the concept fully. Video conferencing involves being rather strict regarding when starting and finishing a lesson. Be conscious that the students cannot come up to after class to ask the questions they couldn’t inquire during the session, and offer them with some way to ask their questions via e-mail or phone.

Good instructional design is always important to effectiveness, whether for video conferencing or for instruction in the classroom. While knowing the learners, understanding the expanded environment and increasing goals and objectives are a must; it is the instructional classroom strategies that most often require to be revised to fit the video conferencing format.

Other factors in Video conferencing education are as follows: first, if schools are interested in participating in this technology they must have access to a high-speed Internet connection. Second, schools need to have sufficient bandwidth directly related to their Internet connection. The third component is a serious one and an issue that might present a challenge for some districts. It involves Firewalls. Finally, besides a desktop computer and high-speed Internet access, video conferencing cameras are also needed.

Advantages of Video Conferencing

• Video conferencing in education can be used very efficiently for meetings and in classes.
• Travel costs and stress can be decreased while personal interaction can remain high.
• More people acquire knowledge and information when video conferencing is used in the classroom.
• The training time yields big returns when students and teachers are well prepared for the exchange of information.
• Students are able to find answers to questions from experts.
• Students are able to work together with other students
• It can comprise of media such as video clips, animations, audio and graphics.
• Students are learning from a main source rather than a textbook.
• Helps to improve skills such as presentation and speaking skills, communication and management skills and questioning skills.

Video conferencing education offers the potential to link classrooms worldwide and connect far-flung learners to subject area specialists. Video conferencing in education helps to interact with professionals, learn about cultural differences, increases motivation and paves the way for better retention of learning. Video conferencing simulates first hand learning experience through video and images. With better planning, videoconferencing in schools is all set to improve.