ROUND TABLE
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I’m cautious about putting too many eggs in a certain basket and not focusing on what’s right in front of us – educational facilities having access to appropriate technology”
To increase engagement and make learning more interactive, there are software tools like Kahoot and others. Educational videos and teaching podcasts on a variety of subjects are effectively replacing traditional lectures and textbooks. These tools provide teachers with real-time insights into student understanding, enabling personalised, adaptive teaching that resonates with modern learners.
consider scalable solutions that allow incremental upgrades over time and seek vendors which provide robust support, ensuring the new systems integrate seamlessly with existing workflows and are used effectively.
learning as possible so early in its life. My immediate concerns are of privacy and functionality. AI is most certainly getting more affordable, but if you think about tech in the education market, its best uses are on an individual level, not in the classroom level. I think about students talking to virtualised teachers trying to get different or more explanations on a topic – that’s one of the best use cases I can imagine. Yes, we can use intelligence in classrooms with video conferencing to discover who is talking and who is just rustling or coughing, but is it good enough yet? Switching cameras or showing multiviews is technology we already have and can even be based just on levels going into different microphone lobes. I don’t want to brush off AI and the things it can do for us; I am just cautious about putting too many eggs in a certain basket and not focusing on the things that are right in front of us – educational facilities of all incomes and prices having access to appropriate technology for all their students. A question I consistently pose to students of technology is: just because you can implement tech, does that mean you should, or that it’s the right choice?
ow is AI influencing the education- technology space? Paul Richards AI is revolutionising education by enabling personalised learning experiences, adaptive content and real-time feedback. For instance, AI-powered platforms like Century Tech analyse student performance and adapt lesson difficulty based on individual progress, which helps in customising learning experiences. AI also assists in admin tasks, freeing up educators’ time to focus on teaching. Virtual tutors, powered by AI, provide support outside of classroom hours, allowing students to practise at their own pace. In terms of AV, AI is enhancing content delivery with smart cameras and tracking systems. These adjust to the teacher’s position or the student’s focus, creating a seamless learning experience. Auto-tracking cameras like the HuddlecamHD Simpltrack3 are designed to automatically track a teacher at the front of the classroom, but can trigger preset zones and video switching on more advanced systems like a Crestron control system. Some of the more advanced AV systems are deeply integrated into school learning management systems and can be fully automated to record and stream video without requiring teachers to think about how the AV is set up. Samantha Potter It feels easy to lean heavily on the possibilities of machine learning and AI. I’m not personally a big fan of adopting as much machine
an you name some challenges and best practices when academic institutions look to upgrade their AV workflows? Edgar Shane It is advised to choose a popular and supported system with a proven operation ease and ubiquity that has an established and growing base. It is also crucial to see that the technology being used is adopted by the majority of equipment manufacturers to ensure the product can be used for years to come and provide optimal return on investment. Both JVC and Vmix have implemented NDI IP technology which has been adopted by all of the leading IP streaming equipment manufacturers, ensuring connectivity and ease of installation and operation. Paul Richards Best practices include conducting a thorough needs assessment and involving end users – teachers and students – in the planning stages to ensure the solutions chosen genuinely enhance learning. Training is essential, as even the best technology is underutilised without proper knowledge of its capabilities. Technology companies are helping to make AV systems more user-friendly, as we have seen with Zoom in the education space. Schools should also
oes the implementation of AV in schools assist in accommodating diverse learning needs? Sefi Aharon The short answer is yes! Implementing AV technology in schools significantly enhances the ability to accommodate diverse learning needs. Interactive displays, audio enhancement systems and digital resources cater to various learning modalities, helping visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learners engage more effectively. For example, interactive whiteboards allow students
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