It’s September, which means back-to-school season is here again – and what better way to mark the occasion than with a fun look at the many ways video conferencing is extending the reach of the classroom and improving our education system?  We recently published a guide titled Six Reasons Why Video Conferencing Is Essential for Education, which gives a more in-depth rundown on the many ways in which video conferencing is vital for the modern school or university.  Let’s talk about the top three ways video conferencing is changing the shape of education in the 21st Century!

  • Video conferencing enables distance learning.  Thanks to government investment programs and our grants program, more and more people are becoming familiar with the huge potential video conferencing represents in the field of distance learning.  From children in rural areas finally having access to the same quality schooling as their urban and suburban peers, to college students able to attend universities a thousand miles away while still getting the same experience as their colleagues in the classroom, video conferencing is bridging distances and building opportunities above and beyond geographic constraints.
  • Video conferencing enhances curriculum.  Imagine going to school in Iowa and being transported to the African Serengeti to learn about wildlife, the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC to learn about our nation’s history, or even the International Space Station to discover far-off stars, all without leaving the classroom – and not in the passive way of a documentary film, but in a brand-new way that allows you to experience those places as though you were actually there.  The interactive qualities of high-definition video conferencing make for some truly incredible opportunities, opportunities that cater to learning styles that have historically been underserved by traditional education methods.
  • Video conferencing fosters global collaboration.  The world is more global than ever, and it’s never been more important for our young people to develop an appreciation for different cultures, different nations, and different peoples.  Video conferencing provides a way for students to connect with people all over the world, face-to-face and heart-to-heart, better preparing them to be citizens and stewards of the world.

The educational possibilities created by video conferencing are virtually limitless, and we’ve only just begun to appreciate how true that is.  These bullet points are just three of the ways that video conferencing is changing the world of education.  Want to learn more about this brave new world?  Then be sure to check out our guide, Six Reasons Why Video Conferencing Is Essential for Education, today!