Virtual Classroom being tried at Harvard University
By marcyaz
@Marcyaz (35316)
United States
September 2, 2015 12:39pm CST
The Professor teaches facing about 60 students with a live feed online.
The Professor can stop and quiz students and students can stop and ask questions.
It is not only for the US but students from Thailand, New Zealand and the Philippines.
People have been trying to do video conferencing in education for a long time and some other schools have done this with good results.
Harvard plans to hold about 100 classes over the next year, hoping that professors will find new uses for it.
Let your imagination run wild !!!!
15 people like this
15 responses
@celticeagle (158680)
• Boise, Idaho
2 Sep 15
Its amazing! If I had had this opportunity when I was young I think I would have made a lot of different choices. So much a person can do with their lives.
3 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Sep 15
This is done in many countries.My daughter teaches students in China English using skype and a special headphone. She also teaches students doing their first degrees using the same method. It really is the way to go to reach out to many students.Excellent idea!
3 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Sep 15
@Marcyaz I am so dumb. I will have to read again. I read and then do something else and forget
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
3 Sep 15
@cynthiann That's great! I knew someone from the Philippines who does that too. I've always thought it's a very good opportunity for those who are proficient in English. How did your daughter start out and find the students in China?
2 people like this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
10 Sep 15
Virtual classroom seems a bright idea. People could not only connect from nearby places but sitting far away in other countries. However, sitting in a virtual class room may not give you a feel or sitting in a real classroom, surrounded by other class mater. Sitting in a virtual class room may require lots of concentration to understand the topic.
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
11 Sep 15
@dpk262006
It is a good option even for someone from a different country.
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
11 Sep 15
@Marcyaz - Yes, those who cannot afford to physically go to a school/classroom, virtual classroom is one of the best option for them.
1 person likes this
@etavasi (749)
• Malaysia
2 Sep 15
this is nice virtual classroom and video conferencing in education is much better and easy too, but it need high speed internet. If internet like at my place, i need to forget the video conferencing because it just go lag and stuck stop for buffering :D haha
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
3 Sep 15
@etavasi Are you in Malaysia? Did you try Unifi yet? I've never had problems with connection since I subscribed, maybe you can consider subscribing too (if you haven't already).
1 person likes this
@etavasi (749)
• Malaysia
3 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 yes me here but my area so poor this not even support unifi at my area only supports 3g
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
10 Sep 15
You could still be a student, if you so wish. Cannot you? We all are students through out our lives and we keep learning with each passing day.
@RachelDSims24 (175)
• United States
2 Sep 15
That is wonderful to hear. Did you also know that MIT opened its courseware for free to the public? You can look at and take any of the classes that are offered by MIT, without having to pay that Ivy League cost. You don't get a real degree from it, but for those with an actual thirst for knowledge and the desire to learn, or those who don't want to get rusty with their knowledge, it's a great place to learn from.
2 people like this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
10 Sep 15
@RachelDSims24 - I have not heard that MIT is even opened for public. If it is so, it is a wonderful and welcome step. I agree with you that those who are thirsty for knowledge, these kinds of platforms are best bet for them.
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
2 Sep 15
if anyone makes it to harvard i'm sure they are there for learning..no frat parties or such..so i'm sure something like this will work just fine!
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
3 Sep 15
@Marcyaz ..well we can only presume their will be parties..hahah..what is college without them
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
3 Sep 15
This is wonderful.So many possibilities with these video classrooms.But small classroom with our teachers and personal interaction has its own advantages.We need such progressive ideas in all areas.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
2 Sep 15
It sounds great to be able to reach such a large number of students Marcy.
I remember when I had just the one little classroom that was donkeys years old
with the great English Literature professor who was teaching.
I liked the one on one as it was such a small class compared to what they can do now with video teaching.
1 person likes this
@DanieGirl80587 (2713)
• United States
11 Sep 15
That seems pretty awesome! Classrooms make me sleepy. The only thing about this option is you have to be dedicated and can't get distracted. I loved online classes though. Made my life so much easier.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
11 Sep 15
@DanieGirl80587
It is really good option since you have a young child at home. What type of classes are you thinking of taking?
taking?@DanieGirl80587 (2713)
• United States
11 Sep 15
@Marcyaz When I can go back to school, I'm definitely going to be taking some online classes. With my young son it's a good option for me.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
3 Sep 15
That's an amazing concept! I would say this is globalized education at its best. Way to go Harvard 
1 person likes this
