Technology Across Borders By Gary Weis
Imagine what would happen if there were no barriers to learning – if everyone who wanted to receive an education could do so regardless of their location , time ( or lack thereof ), or financial circumstances .
A student watches a lecture online via Mediasite .
One of the reasons I believe online learning is so successful is because it is powerful enough to bridge time and distance , allowing schools to cross borders and educate students all over the world .
Geographical barriers can prevent students from attending classes , and those in bandwidth-challenged areas aren ’ t able to reliably receive live online learning content . The valuable ability to time shift becomes even more important in the face of unexpected events , such as epidemics , hurricanes , and wildfires . In situations like these , I ’ m seeing K-12 schools , colleges , and universities turn to unique video solutions to ensure learning isn ’ t disrupted .
What ’ s so exciting to me is that schools are finding creative ways to reach students all over the world , removing barriers to student success and creating graduates who otherwise would never earn a diploma . The following stories are some of my favorites that I ’ ve seen throughout my years working in education .
Flexibility in the Midst of Epidemics and Natural
Disasters Time shifting the learning process is not new . During the hurricanes that ravaged the Caribbean and southern United States last fall , I saw faculty using online video to record lectures , allowing students to watch from home .
When a tornado touched down near The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City , lectures continued as planned online thanks to video , and no one missed a beat .
When wildfires forced California State University ( CSU ) Fullerton Department of Nursing and CSU San Marcos to cancel classes , both schools continued delivering instruction by capturing and streaming lectures online . Marsha Orr , distance education faculty liaison in the Department of Nursing , told me they didn ’ t want students to have to make a choice between potentially having to evacuate and coming to class .
“ Because we are able to swiftly and easily capture the class and post it immediately to the web , it meant that the students didn ’ t lose any content . It meant not rescheduling . It meant not trying to double up on information ,” she said .
Similarly , universities and healthcare organizations were in crisis mode last year during the Zika Virus outbreak . Schools turned to online video to deliver safety and preventative tips to the masses .
No-Boundaries Learning
Online learning is not only keeping classrooms running in times of trial , it is also democratizing learning around the world .
Internet Broadcast Project for Rural South Africa
In some South African provinces , 80 percent of schools are classified as failing due to a lack of quality teachers and
Equipment for the Internet Broadcast project at the University of the Free State in South Africa is installed in a classroom .
30 January 2018