Video conferencing technology is useful for teaching from a remote location, teaching students in a variety of locations at the same time or arranging for one-on-one tutoring sessions for students and teachers around the world. Video conferencing breaks down the barriers that location and distance cause for education, making it easier and more convenient for students and teachers to connect.
The benefits for video conferencing technology in educational applications are clear. Video conferencing makes it possible for education to span distances. For instance, perhaps a program can currently admit only 15 students to a brick-and-mortar classroom. However, when video conferencing technology is utilized properly, a virtually unlimited number of students can listen in and participate. This expands the classroom for better reach and provides a more extensive meeting of the minds. Video conferencing also increases a teacher's or tutor's earning potential when used as a way to tutor students in locations across the United States and the world.
While the disadvantages to using video conferencing technology in education are few, they can seem insurmountable. The cost of the equipment required to facilitate video conferencing is a concern. The more extensive the equipment needed, the higher the expense -- think webcams, monitors and other high-tech equipment such as shareable whiteboards. The learning curve for educators and tutors can also be difficult to overcome, since the equipment can be difficult to use and troubleshoot. While some students might find the video conferencing method to be more convenient than traditional education, others might miss the face-to-face interaction that being in a live classroom offers.
If you've decided that video conferencing sounds right for you or your classroom, lobby the institution for which you work. There's a chance that the software and technology budget allows for the acquisition and education needed to start using video conferencing in the classroom. If you're a freelance tutor, begin with a simple webcam and use applications such as Skype or ooVoo to establish a client base to generate revenue that you can later invest in more sophisticated conferencing technologies.