Videoconferencing

Videoconferencing technology allows two or more people at different locations to see and hear each other at the same time. In addition, it is often possible to share computer applications such as Internet pages, library catalogs, documents, or software. This rich communications technology offers new possibilities for schools, colleges, and libraries including formal instruction (courses, lessons, and tutoring), connection with guest speakers and experts, multi-school project collaboration, professional activities such as meetings and interviews, and community events.

There are many tangible benefits to e-Learning. E-Learning:

• offers choices to students when budgets force schools to limit course offerings.
• offers students access to advanced courses or electives that are not taught at the local school.
• can off-set teacher shortages in difficult areas, such as foreign language.
• provides increased access to Advanced Placement courses.
• offers attractive, high quality instructional options for home-schooled and non-public school students.
• allows for differentiation and individualization of the student’s instructional pace.
• solves the contradiction of need to be educated but unable to be physically present for homebound students.
• enhances technology literacy skills for both educators and students.
• encourages student to student and teacher to student interaction; has the potential to increase parent/school communication.
• effectively matches certain types of learners to their ideal instructional mode (e.g. asynchronous, multi-modal, self-paced) due to a flexible delivery system.
• allows for personalizing students’ instructional plans.
• creates greater control for school districts.
• creates a strong relationship between K-12 schools and higher education through collaborative cyber initiatives to meet student needs.
• benefits at-risk students who may have difficulty within the traditional school setting through the flexibility of being able to take courses outside the classroom.