View all newsletters
Receive our newsletter - data, insights and analysis delivered to you
  1. Leadership
  2. Strategy
July 12, 2013

Can video conferencing replace teachers?

Amy-Jo Crowley looks at the benefits of video conferencing.

By Cbr Rolling Blog

The Offaly Vocational Educational Committee has come up with the idea of using video conferencing technology to help Irish schools cope with tighter resources and budget cuts.

The new device, which connects students and teachers through video link, means that schools can still offer the same number of subjects, despite having fewer staff and reduced funding.

With figures from the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland showing that 83% of secondary schools have lost full-time and part-time teaching jobs since 2009 and research from Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS ) last year revealing that a smaller proportion of time allocated to science and maths in schools, video conferencing might be the answer.

Edward McEvory, CEO of Offaly VEC, said it had helped rural students to engage with specialised subjects and other students from different backgrounds.

"Students that previously had no access to applied mathematics are now studying it twice a week. Additionally, classes in rural Ireland are having regular face-to-face interaction with a school in the United States. The school’s faculty couldn’t be happier with the technology and the advantages it has afforded the students," he said

You can also record classes, which means that even if students miss a class they can catch up.

But I wonder if there are there any hurdles. What about connectivity? Is there high-speed Internet access available from all geographical locations? And can it really be a subsitute for real-life communication?

Content from our partners
How businesses can safeguard themselves on the cyber frontline
How hackers’ tactics are evolving in an increasingly complex landscape
Green for go: Transforming trade in the UK

Let us know your thoughts.

Websites in our network
Select and enter your corporate email address Tech Monitor's research, insight and analysis examines the frontiers of digital transformation to help tech leaders navigate the future. Our Changelog newsletter delivers our best work to your inbox every week.
  • CIO
  • CTO
  • CISO
  • CSO
  • CFO
  • CDO
  • CEO
  • Architect Founder
  • MD
  • Director
  • Manager
  • Other
Visit our privacy policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
THANK YOU