Lessons Learned from EduComm

It seemed that all the sessions I attended at the EduComm conference this June, no matter the topic, led to extended conversations about video conferencing and distance learning. This made sense because EduComm was part of the larger multimedia focused InfoComm conference. Because of this the conference did bring to light the importance that educators become more aware of the following:

~ The "Video Game generation" is the currently the population in K-12 schools today.
~ That our world is in a state of economic and environmental distress and video
conferencing, tele-commuting and hybrid programs are the wave of the future.
~ That educational institutions should take action and make changes considering the current
and future student population of our schools and the world's economic and environmental
state.

Higher education professionals should consider the students. Students today are "digital natives". They have grown up with and are comfortable in a visually engaging, interactive, and on-demand environment from the comfort of wherever they are. To help these students achieve educational success, schools should shift delivery methods to meet their mindset. Shift towards bringing the world and experiences to them by video conferencing. Video conferencing brings the real world and real experiences into the classroom. For example, you have students who have never left the area they live in - video conferencing gives students an opportunity to visit other places and have experiences they would, otherwise, not have.

Consider the economy and environmental state of the world. We are all trying to pinch pennies and be "green" in areas we can. Schools can help towards this by offering more Distance Learning classes. Besides keeping the school competitive with other educational institutions, Distance Learning is a great investment because:
~ it allows the student to balance school along with the other priorities in his/her life
~ it saves travel expenses and fumes for both faculty and students
~ the university can increase enrollment without adding more physical classroom facilities

Educational institutions should stop thinking of Video Conferencing and Distance Learning as a "nice to have", but rather a "must have" in order to meet the needs of 21st century learners and educators.

by Rae Peralta