A study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences reported that students learn better when they use active forms of
learning.
The group found students with no access to active learning methods, such as peer discussions
and group work, are 1.5 times more likely to fail. In addition, students taught
with active learning outperformed those taught by lectures by six percentage
points on exams.
To provide more avenues for active learning, a tech firm
has launched a video classroom that allows students to create and control live
video study rooms. The tool, created by Newrow,
allows students to form their own online study groups and instructors to create
on-the-spot, in-class group video discussions.
Students will be able to use the tools to start
learning conversations on their own that can last throughout the semester. The
videoconferencing will be similar to face-to-face study groups with text chat
functions and real-time resource sharing.
The tool also allows instructors to generate breakout
groups of up to 10 students during online lectures. The sessions can be
recorded and stored in an online learning library for future reference or group
project management.
“Our goal is to remove learning barriers for students
by giving them a seamless way to facilitate the discussions they want and need
to have with peers,” said Rony Zarom, founder and CEO in an article in eCampus News.
