ROUND TABLE
40
If you consider all the ways that people learn, we are not far off – technologically – from giving them an education that reflects each of their own needs”
personalised learning pathways. The focus will be on growing lifelong learning skills, preparing students to adapt to an increasingly interconnected world. Samantha Potter Last year, I was given a tour of Harvard Business School’s online learning studio. It was a magnificent conglomeration of technology and innovation. Every student got a front-row seat to the professor and their visual aids, outfitted with a wireless microphone to ensure that every word was audible. The professor had a clear shot of every student in a giant grid on a larger-than- life LED wall. When you were stood in the studio (as the professor would) running the demo, it was quite the experience. To me, this was the perfect example of a fully online experience. The future is blended. The best hybrid classroom experience I’ve ever been part of has been when there was technical staff in the classroom dedicated to producing the experience at each campus and in each classroom. It was phenomenal, but was also a good amount of work. How will we adopt that custom experience in the future? I suppose it would be easy to just say ‘artificial intelligence’, but in truth I’m not entirely sold on it. Sefi Aharon The future of learning is set to be highly personalised, flexible and technology-driven, adapting to individual students’ needs and the demands of an evolving world. AI and data analytics will play a central role, enabling adaptive learning platforms that tailor content and pace based on real-time assessments of students’ strengths and weaknesses. Although it will also shape a different, overarching user journey on campus, leading us to talk and think about Smart Campus and what this includes. How do we connect different digital ‘islands’ on a campus into one entity that both makes sense and meets the AV strategy for each university or school? The classroom of the future will be collaborative, dynamic and inclusive, focused on preparing students with the adaptability and competencies to thrive in a fast-changing world. They will act as a stand-alone universe where magic happens, and experiences are part of the journey. Fun times are ahead!
to participate actively in lessons, while AV content supports learners who absorb information better through multimedia and gamification. As more students contribute content to the class, they need the technology to share that content, display it and collaborate. This is where AV tools are particularly beneficial. AV solutions – such as immersive video platforms – allow students to control their learning pace, benefiting those who need extra time for comprehension. Moreover, gaining hands-on experience in fully equipped, state-of- the-art labs is important, as graduates expect to acquire practical skills rather than just theoretical knowledge upon completing their education. AV tech fosters an environment that empowers learners to tackle real-world challenges and prepares them for the professional landscape they will enter. Edgar Shane Yes, it addresses the needs of those unable to participate in person. IP technology has empowered educators to use video conferencing software to provide remote learning capability on laptops, computers and surfaces using common IP streaming infrastructure. This has greatly lowered barriers to entry for educational institutions, faculties and students alike. Samantha Potter AV gives us the chance to achieve equity. If you consider all the ways that people learn, we are not far off – technologically – from being able to give them an education that reflects each of their own needs. The biggest constraint moving forward is going to be time: how long can we give students to grasp a concept enough to consider it learnt? Otherwise, larger screens with better resolutions will make it easier for students with different sight capabilities to read more easily. Transcription technology allows students to stay present in a class and give them written references for later. Audio recordings help those who learn best audibly or have trouble with visual aids. The list goes on. Nothing is perfect, but the more AV technology we have in education, the more affordable it becomes, reaching more people. Every student and educator should have tools that make it as efficient as possible to do their jobs: to teach and be taught.
hat does the future of learning look like?
Edgar Shane More diverse products will likely become available to operate on an IP infrastructure. Today, not only can you interconnect cameras with IP streaming switchers, but theatrical lighting systems can be integrated to be both powered and controlled via Ethernet. Classroom production is set to become ever more engaging and inclusive, with connections to common CDNs as well as privately to campuses abroad. From an infrastructure standpoint, network switches are constantly being developed to accommodate the increasing signal traffic of multiple devices existing on a network. The bandwidth capabilities of IP networks are also expanding, enabling more robust technology to interconnect. With the advancement of IP, distance learning is evolving to become an institution’s offering that provides the closest engagement with students next to in-person instruction. Paul Richards The future of learning will likely be a hybrid model, blending both in-person and digital experiences. Emerging trends point to a deeper integration of AV into higher education, creating immersive and individualised education experiences for students, parents and alumni. AI-driven data analytics will inform instruction, while virtual simulations will give students hands-on experiences in fields like science, engineering and medicine. AV technology will be central to this evolution, making classrooms more interactive and enabling remote participation, which expands access to education worldwide. As education shifts towards a competency-based approach – where students progress upon mastery rather than time spent in class – AV and AI tools will support
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