How Education Technology Can Improve University Hybrid Learning

Bridge the Gap Between Remote & In-Person Students 

In the past, the college experience generally looked the same for all. Young adults would commute to or live on a university campus, where they’d settle into a classroom or auditorium to learn among their peers. 

But with today’s education technology, the college experience may include many new scenarios and students. It may look like the home office of a busy mom studying after putting her children to bed. It could be a career-changer working on a degree after an eight-hour shift. 

Hybrid learning is becoming more prevalent in today’s colleges and universities. Whether remote students are participating in live classes or are watching a lecture at night, today’s smart technology makes the experience richer and more dynamic than ever. 

But hybrid learning does present its technological challenges. If your Austin, TX institution is looking to improve its hybrid teaching model, here’s how our education technology solutions can help. 

SEE ALSO: 3 Must-Have Technologies to Integrate Into Your Campus 

The Trouble with Hybrid 

If students are remotely calling into or watching lectures, two components can make or break the experience: audio and video. 

If your classrooms only include a single camera and microphone, voices will likely sound faint and echo. In large auditoriums, a professor may feel limited if they need to stand by a podium throughout the lesson. 

And if students participate in the conversation, like in language or literature classes, their input may not be heard clearly over a sole microphone. Any remote students listening in over Zoom, Teams, or a similar platform won’t be able to see or listen to what’s happening and may feel left behind. 

A Better Approach 

At Videotex Systems, we install and program classroom conferencing systems that sync cameras, microphones, and speakers to work in unison over hybrid calls. The system is intuitive and easy for professors to use, so they only need to press a button to start the video call. 

Our camera solutions allow professors to move freely about the room without worrying about staying in-frame. IR-emitting necklaces and floor pressure plates can tell auto-tracking cameras to follow the professor’s movement so they’re always in view. 

As for audio, when remote students participate in the call, the classroom can hear their voices over in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. And students’ input will be picked up over tabletop or ceiling microphones throughout the room. In auditoriums, we can even integrate foam microphone boxes that are tossed from student to student like a “talking stick.” Whoever has the microphone in hand speaks and will be heard over the video component.

Hybrid learning can even benefit the in-person students on campus. For instance, if a student stays home sick, they can watch the lesson later as if they had been there in person. Students can also rewatch the lesson to study and better retain the material. With the right technology, hybrid learning is a win for everyone. 

All classrooms’ needs are different, and for that Videotex Systems can design and install customized technology solutions to help your students thrive. Contact our team here to learn more about our services and find the right fit for your Texas school.