Tenveo video conferencing provides a better way for distance education

Tenveo video conferencing provides a better way

for distance education

    Tenveo video conferencing provides the nearly endless possibilities of an online conference call program for you and your students. It details potential in corporations into classroom lessons, video-based field trips, and even administrative uses. Don’t let distance or restricted budgets stand in your way of exciting lessons — let web conferencing be your ultimate tool!

    How to use conference and video calling in the classroom?

    Collaborative learning with another classroom is valuable because it’s an exciting way for students to break out of their usual peer surroundings and hear outside perspectives. However, it’s not exactly easy to simply uproot your students and head to another school (or even another classroom down the hallway). So how can you help your students branch out and get exposed to new ideas?

    Suppose local government has proposed renovations for what they argue is an outdated, run-down section of the city. It’s caused a stir because it’s home to numerous independent businesses who oppose any changes. You’ve had a class discussion on the topic, but think students could benefit from hearing opposing viewpoints. By web conferencing with another class in your district, your students can have a lively debate about the economic and social benefits of a change, as well as potential repercussions. It will give a completely different perspective — for example, the students at the other school may live closer to the area and have insight into current crime in the region and how they think renovation may help. Or perhaps they’re more familiar with the neighborhood and feel the changes will scare off current clientele. Tenveo video conferencing offers an easy outlet for students to exchange ideas and learn from peers they normally couldn’t reach out to.

    One of the best things about Tenveo video conferencing is that distance is of no real concern. So think big — even global! Making an international connection can give students from different cultures the chance to discuss and debate common issues and current events. It can even give them the opportunity to brainstorm ideas on how to solve world issues. American students in New York had an amazing opportunity to conduct a video call with a classroom in Ghana. They discussed topics like Ghana’s first democratic election and the United States’ election of the first African-American president. It’s a wonderful example of giving insight into a different culture while still finding common ground despite thousands of miles.

    Tenveo video conferencing also allows access to guest speakers who may not normally be able to lecture at your school. You could give your journalism students real-world perspective by asking a reporter for a major city’s newspaper to have a one-hour live video Q&A session from the comfort of their own office. Sure, you could send a list of questions via email and go over the responses in class, but talking to an expert in real-time can allow your students to develop essential communication skills, even help prepare them for the real world.

    Inviting a guest speaker via web conference can even defy schedule conflicts or canceled visits. If a planned speaker has a sudden emergency or faces turbulent travel conditions, re-scheduling is infinitely easier (not to mention more cost-effective!) if you opt for a video chat instead.

    You can also ask to link in with another class across the city who’s having an exciting guest speaker. By simply tuning in via video conference, your class can still have the benefit of a live guest speaker without making a costly trip across town.

    Video conferences can not only invite guest speakers into your own world, it can bring students to places and environments they may never get to see up close. One project with a Pennsylvania school brought students to the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat to study volcanic activity. The class worked in real-time with a designated “mission commander” who relayed seismic data and reports about lava flow, evacuee progress, and hurricane intensity. Students worked together to analyze the given information, make predictions and suggest courses of action. This is just one example of how to make your lessons come to life in real-world situations with Tenveo video conferencing!