| Communication technology continues to improve | | | | and learning experience. |
| from mere audio to visual connection with the | | | | 2). Grants access to opportunities for outside |
| introduction of video phones and then on to the | | | | sources of information. Perhaps the most practical |
| development of more compact video | | | | advantage of video conferencing is that it makes |
| conferencing systems. While the technology of | | | | possible the development of a new skill, practice, |
| video conferencing is popularly appreciated in the | | | | or way of doing things using previously |
| business sector, the recognition for its value has | | | | inaccessible resources. In the past, higher |
| also broken through the institutions of learning. | | | | education or simply studying a new language was |
| The concept of distance learning has been around | | | | beyond the reach of many people considering the |
| for centuries and it has evolved alongside | | | | impracticality of far away distances, the |
| improvements in communication technology. In | | | | inconveniences of taking a trip and costly |
| the past, books, workbooks, homework and | | | | expenses a person would incur for the sake of |
| other learning hand-outs were delivered back and | | | | learning. Nowadays, video conferencing has made |
| forth through horseback and then snail mail. With | | | | it possible for experts in specialized fields to |
| the advent of the computer era, distance learning | | | | simply hook up into the video call and provide |
| methods became more real-time with email and | | | | mentoring, students can take a trip to anywhere |
| chat technology. Now, with low-cost video phone | | | | around Asia and gain knowledge of a new culture |
| equipment and VoIP technology the classroom | | | | directly in the classrooms, students in rural areas |
| experience is extended to virtually any place and | | | | can have the benefit of advanced studies from |
| synchronized to any time. | | | | trained teachers in urban schools. Numerous |
| Video conferencing has become a very helpful | | | | opportunities are now available to nearly |
| tool in distance learning. | | | | everyone. |
| 1). Allows for a more interactive education. Early | | | | 3). Permits the use of mixed forms of information |
| and modern educators believe that education, the | | | | exchange. Distance learning via video conferencing |
| imparting and acquiring of knowledge and abilities | | | | makes use of other approaches to teaching like |
| can be made absolute only through the exchange | | | | images, graphs, sign language interpretation, |
| of many ideas. Individuals learn from one another. | | | | desktop add-ons and application sharing to |
| It is in this regard where video phone technology | | | | effectively describe a point, convey ideas, |
| outstandingly equalizes the insufficiency of a | | | | encourage collaboration and further 2-way |
| remote setting. Video conferencing makes | | | | interaction. This approach also benefits both the |
| distance learning more fun, more alive and | | | | students and teachers as it imparts technological |
| effective since the remote teacher and student | | | | know-how where books, written manuscripts or |
| can actually see, talk, react and respond to one | | | | telephones cannot. |
| another on-screen in real-time. The heightened | | | | Video conferencing brings distance learning to |
| sensory awareness of seeing and hearing a real | | | | almost anyone in almost anyplace at almost |
| person connecting to you always results in a | | | | anytime. Distance learning programs rule out any |
| more enriching and more interpersonal teaching | | | | excuse for lack of knowledge and education. |