For schools and higher education institutions, the past eighteen months have been both hectic and unprecedented, dominated by lockdown restrictions, distance learning and bubbles. However, while the Covid-19 pandemic has by no means disappeared, there appears to be hope on the horizon for a return to some sense of normalcy in the coming academic year.

Since restrictions on face-to-face teaching were lifted on July 19, higher education institutions have been busy making important plans for September, including how to handle a safe return to online learning. face to face. Many are also reflecting on how the innovative technologies that have proven to be vital over the past year and a half will continue to play a role in education as we enter a new normal.

So what are the educational technologies that will ensure that learning continues to be effective and inclusive, no matter what the future holds?

Connected solutions for a collaborative environment

After spending more than a year of their studies in isolation and learning virtually from their bedroom, many students desperately wish to return to seminar rooms and lecture halls for traditional face-to-face learning. At the same time, many are still skeptical or nervous about returning to campus so early, especially those who have yet to experience a full semester of in-person learning.

Creating “blended” learning experiences to meet the needs of both groups is no small feat, but it is a challenge that technology can help overcome.

Our research reveals that 58% of students can’t read all the content on a traditional 70 inch flat screen, interactive projectors can turn the learning experience into something much more engaging and enjoyable.

With the ability to project content onto a screen up to 100 inches, interactive projectors can provide all students with an equal experience and encourage active participation, regardless of the size of the learning space – or even s ‘they connect from home.

Wireless presentation systems, like those from Epson Let’s share system – a simple tool that lets you share up to 4 devices on one big screen – is also a great complement to interactive projectors, improving collaboration and making wireless content sharing easier than ever. Solutions like these are perfect for sharing information with seminar rooms or making group presentations, making the process as seamless as possible.

Seeing is believing

In a future where blended learning is expected to become a reality, teachers will want to create a visually more engaging experience that works for students who are in class and those who join remotely.

Using smart glasses in classrooms would allow students to learn in a truly immersive virtual environment, no matter where they are based or what the changing rules and the Covid-19 situation look like. For example, new students could benefit from a virtual tour of the school they will join in September to help ease their first-day jitters, or teachers could organize a biology lesson where the human body is explained to the teacher. AR help – making every student feel included and engaged.

Document viewers or cameras also provide an ideal opportunity to learn new, more collaborative ways. These devices allow users to share a projected live view of 3D objects, meaning that large groups of people, both inside and outside a room, can share a detailed view and closer to an element without crowding around it or having to pass the object between them. This would mean that anyone could both see and annotate the content, as well as share ideas, collaborate, and interact throughout the process.

Making sure students and teachers have the right technology means the focus can be on learning in a collaborative and engaging experience, whether in the classroom, at home, or a mix of both.

Connected, collaborative and interactive learning

Although no one knows what the future will look like, educational institutions are gradually reverting to a revised version of “normal”. With September and a new term approaching, it is vital that we help the children make up for lost time without further setbacks. This involves making sure that all children, whether in the room or learning at a distance, can see the content and have the same opportunity to learn. No student will be successful if they feel excluded from key lessons or if they do not have the correct information because they cannot see them.

As teachers and students adapt to new models of education, connected and collaborative learning is more important than ever. Technologies such as interactive projectors and document cameras can work together to create engaging learning environments that meet the new needs of today’s students and help alleviate the pressures facing educators.

These technologies can serve as a bridge that connects students and teachers, while setting the stage for a successful, albeit different, school year.

Simone Martorina, Video Projection Sales Manager, Epson UK

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