Transforming the classroom with collaboration technology
The rapid innovation of technology, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, has changed how we work and how we learn. While these technological advances are exciting times for educators and students alike, they have also put immense pressure on the education sector to ensure they make innovative technology investments. Investments that will provide all students with equal access to a high-quality, engaging digital campus experience and ensure they are more than ready for the modern workforce. Extremely important for an industry that contributes up to $2.5 billion to the Australian economy and needs to remain market-competitive to attract local and international students.
The role of virtual learning environments for hybrid and remote-based students
The encouraging news is that hybrid learning is already being delivered successfully across higher education faculties within Australia and beyond. Recent Gartner research suggests that by 2027, over 60% of higher education institutions will adopt hybrid learning models that blend physical and virtual teaching to support student preferences. Not only does this create more flexibility for today's digitally connected students, but it also delivers valuable insights for those educators still at an earlier stage of integrating hybrid learning models into their digital environment.
Early adopters are now considering new ways to elevate their hybrid learning experience further, with many universities now expanding their collaboration portfolio to include investments in more people-friendly user interfaces and intuitive AI-driven solutions. These modern devices now deliver an 'as good as being there' experience with advanced machine learning-generated facial recognition and improved audio that allows conversations to flow naturally and deliver a consistent learning environment, helping to improve engagement across cohorts.
Case Study: helping RACS on its mission to support ongoing learning for surgeons
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), a not-for-profit organisation known for training surgeons and maintaining surgical standards, expanded its current technology to fit its unique environment. RACS needed a collaboration solution that was highly flexible and easy to use with Microsoft Teams. Moreover, with people flowing in and out of its offices on any given day, their video solution also needed to be intuitive.
RACS installed video devices with wheeled floor stands, running Microsoft Teams in their meeting rooms, enabling the flexibility to move them around different spaces when required quickly. Feedback from users at RACS was positive. They found the devices easy to use and were impressed by the powerful audio and camera capabilities, particularly the patented Neat Symmetry feature. This presents everyone in the meeting room equally up close, whether sitting, standing or moving around, enabling more natural, free-flowing conversation.
Enriching the hybrid learning experience to anticipate student needs
Brick-and-mortar lecture theatres have traditionally been a one-size-fits-all approach since the advent of the printing press. However, modern learning requires more intimate spaces purposefully designed to accommodate remote students while encouraging creativity, connectivity, and belonging among all attendees.
These days, interactive whiteboards are familiar in most modern learning environments and have proven to be popular investments in higher education. What's exciting now is that the technology has evolved even further through the installation of open ecosystem app platforms. This means that popular applications are now accessible on the device, allowing students to use platforms such as Trello and Canva to enhance their learning experience.
Another modern learning space that thoughtfully considers both hybrid and in-person students is the round table'. Designed for democracy and communication, a round table can be a hub of creativity and foster positive discussions, allowing a lecturer to facilitate learning and monitor all students easily. For remote students, in this case, companion devices now exist that offer a 360° view of the in-person participants so that remote attendees can feel front and centre in the conversation.
Anticipating hybrid environment issues and investing in solutions pre-emptively can spell the difference between one university and another regarding retention and attendance.
Case Study: Miami Herbert Business School – educating tomorrow's business leaders
Miami Herbert Business School developed a five-year technology plan to deliver expanded and enhanced educational opportunities for its students. The university outfitted classrooms with cutting-edge collaboration technology to facilitate engagement and interaction between in-person and virtual students and instructors and support digital content. This included positioning a video conferencing device at the back of a learning space so that students attending remotely felt like they were sitting in the back row.
Additionally, it opened a myriad of opportunities for collaboration and connection. One exciting use has been bringing in guest speakers, who are commonly part of classes at Miami Herbert. Previously, this was limited to speakers ranging from alumni to business experts who were local or travelling to the area. Now experts from around the world can pop into classes virtually and engage in a robust, natural discussion with students, supporting the School's mission to develop leaders who will transform global business.
Accelerating the future of education
As technological innovations continue to change the way we think about learning spaces, tertiary institutions need to consider and anticipate student wants and needs when it comes to the hybrid learning environment. Investing in collaborative technologies that enhance and enrich this experience can ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to access high-quality, engaging digital experiences and pave the way to the modern future of learning.
