‘Virtually’ active!
Mumbai University has set up an automated virtual classroom to reach out better to the stake holders. Vinita Bajari reports
This past weekend, the University of Mumbai inaugurated its first virtual classroom, with fully automated rooms, and the seating capacity of 58. The room is also connected to an auditorium with the capacity of about 300.
Reportedly, it is the first time a traditional public university has taken this step to set up alive virtual classroom. The Institute of Distance Learning (IDOL) has been using technology to deliver online lessons to its students, but this is the first live classroom.
The classroom is said to have been modelled on the virtual classroom at the pioneering Harvard University in the US. The motive to set up the classroom is to reach out to the maximum number of students possible within the means of limited resources.
“That is the idea of using technology to reach out,” says computer scientist Nirav Shah, who works in a company that offers technological solutions to organisations. Undoubtedly, with such a facility, live-streaming of special lectures will be possible, as will be virtual connections with other education institutions and corporate organisations. Shah adds that it is high time that our education sector looks at integrating technology within all processes, rather than thinking of setting up a technological department and leaving all the ‘techie’ work to that department. “Integration should be a seamless process, and the setting up of such a classroom could sure be a start to it,” he says.
Senior educationist Shubhada Joglekar is of the opinion that this will enable students of the university to connect virtually with resource persons from across the world as a class. “See connecting personally is not difficult with applications like Skype and Facetime. What is important is interacting with a resource person or a talented faculty member as a group and learning collaboratively,” she says.
Shah points out that in many research cases and countries, such facilities have been used to connect students from far off points to teachers in the cities. Mumbai University also has such a plan in mind, where students and teachers of colleges in interior Maharashtra affiliated to the University will be able to participate in events and conferences through this virtual classroom.
Pro-vice-chancellor Dr Naresh Chandra has mentioned that once the facility is fully operational, it can be used for several academic activities, including offering online courses.
The advantages of the virtual classrooms are many, and if used optimally, it can bring about a major change in the way things function within the purview of an institution. “As I said, it is a great first step. What remains to be seen is ‘what’s next?’,” concludes Shah.