UWC launches interactive video conferencing system

STARTING today, students from UWC’s Faculty of Dentistry will be able to watch live surgeries remotely following the launch of their new video conferencing system.

The technology to launch the system is sponsored by MerSETA, an initiative that was created to facilitate skills development in the manufacturing industry.

“The faculty has a vision to implement interactive video conferencing lecture rooms at the Mitchells Plain Clinic and Tygerberg Hospital.

“The purpose of the intervention is to help eliminate the cost and time needed for transporting students between Mitchells Plain and Tygerberg for lectures,” said UWC spokesperson Aidan van den Heever.

Van Den Heever added that the video teaching uses technology to transmit audio, content-rich media and video signals to deliver course content from one location to students who are physically in other locations.

“Students with challenges accessing physical campuses can participate virtually in classroom communication as this method of learning lowers travelling costs and places remote students directly in the classroom, provided they have internet connection and a device with a webcam.”

Van Den Heever said that one of the advantages to the system is that it also allows all the lectures recorded to be shared widely to all students, allowing them to learn on their own time and at their own pace. – Staff Reporter