Picture a classroom that fits in your pocket – that’s exactly what live streaming for education does for you!
Live streaming brings real-time, interactive lessons right to your screen. Imagine asking questions on the spot, interacting and discussing with classmates across the globe, or watching a science experiment happen on your screen.
But mainly, it makes the experience of online learning super engaging and pretty accessible – that was not the case before!
But what exactly is live streaming in education and why are more and more schools and universities jumping on board? In this article, we’ll talk about some practical tips and essential tools to get started.
Table of Contents
What is Live Streaming?
Live streaming brings real time video to your screen. Here’s the process: cameras capture all the action, encoding software (more on that later) converts it to digital format, and transmission protocols send it to servers. Content Delivery Networks, or simply CDNs, then distribute the stream worldwide.
Then you’ve got your well known platforms like YouTube Live or Zoom handle the playback, adjusting quality based on your internet speed. It’s like being there in person, whether you’re watching a science experiment or joining a global classroom discussion!
How are Universities and Schools Using Live Streaming for Education?
Did you know that the live streaming market is projected to reach $256.56 billion by 2032? And this is no surprise – the world of edtech is seeing a massive boost!
Schools and universities are using live video streaming for education in the following ways:
- Global classrooms: Holding classes online, where students can join a lecture from anywhere in the world.
- Flipping the script on traditional learning: Recording classroom lectures for students to watch at home. Then, turning online classes into fun group activities and discussions.
- Never miss a moment: Broadcasting ceremonies, big games, and award functions so that distant families can cheer and celebrate in real-time.
Benefits of Live Streaming in Education
Live streaming is changing the way we approach education for the better. It’s not just a new buzzy trend but a whole new way of teaching and learning that brings real benefits:
1. Real-Time Interaction and Engagement
Live streaming classes bring the energy of a real classroom to a virtual lesson. Students can ask questions directly through voice, video, or chat features and receive quick answers.
This instant response can help keep students engaged. Think of it – wouldn’t you, as a student, also want your queries answered on the spot?
2. Engaging Educational Experience
Now, virtual education can also happen in the form of pre recorded lectures. But where is the fun in that? A live streaming space makes room for a collaborative learning environment.
Picture students grouped in digital breakout rooms, scribbling ideas on shared whiteboards, or diving into group discussions – all in real time.
3. Personalized Learning
Flowing from the point above, live streaming also makes learning more personal and flexible for students. They can join live sessions on online education platforms from anywhere. This provides flexibility for those who may have scheduling conflicts or other commitments.
With the help of recorded sessions and video playback, they can watch classes at their own pace. Students can pause to take notes or think things through, which helps them learn better. Isn’t this something you would have liked too?
4. Optimizes the Learning Experience
Online education platforms often come with helpful analytic tools like:
- Engagement Metrics: Track how long students watch the stream, their participation in chats, and interactions with content.
- Heatmaps: Visualize which parts of the video students focus on or replay, telling you areas of interest or difficulty.
- Performance Data: Monitor quiz results, attendance, and participation rates to identify challenges.
5. Cost Effective Learning Opportunities
And finally, it is not just about the experience for students, but even the fact that it is more accessible for everyone. It brings reduced (or almost zero) travel costs, no need for physical classrooms, and larger class sizes without compromising quality.
Best Practices for Global Live Streaming for Education
Let’s face it: nailing the perfect live online classes takes more than just hitting the ‘Go Live’ button. To help you out, check some of these tips we’ve compiled:
- Plan and prep beforehand: Set in place some clear learning goals and structure your content logically. You can keep some engaging multimedia elements ready beforehand to keep students interested.
- Use reliable and accessible tools: Choose a user friendly platform with global access and low latency. Ensure you have a strong internet connection and quality equipment.
- Engage with the students: Implement interactive elements like chats, polls, and Q&As to encourage participation. Adjust your teaching based on real time feedback.
Best Online Education Platforms for Live Streaming
Want to turn your boring lessons into interactive online learning experiences? Choosing the right live streaming platform is the key to this!
Here are the top three live streaming platforms for education to consider:
1️⃣ OnTheFly
OnTheFly stands out as the best platform for live streaming for education on a global level. Its intuitive design lets educators stream their lessons across the digital landscape in no time. It works with YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and a whopping 50+ other channels – all at once!
Whether you’re hosting a webinar, running live online classes, giving a one-on-one tutorial, or trying out new ways to connect, OnTheFly has your back.
Features:
- Customization to make your streams more personalized
- Real-time chat on screen during live streams
- Built-in tools for recording live streams and editing them
- Access to real time insights
- Record on the go and live stream with 1080p quality
2️⃣ Dacast
Dacast is another ideal live streaming platform for education that supports live and on-demand video hosting. It is designed for multi-platform compatibility, seamlessly integrating with various digital devices, including your mobile app, smart TV app, or website.
Features:
- Monetization tools, including pay-per-view, subscriptions, and ad-based revenue models
- Real-time analytics dashboard
- Tokenized access control and geo-blocking
- Multi-bitrate streaming technology
- Zoom live streaming integration
- Customizable HTML 5 video player
3️⃣ Muvi
Muvi is a live streaming platform ideal for educational institutions, online educators, and certified professionals to stream their content. It allows you to create a virtual classroom for online lessons and interact with students through live chat.
Muvi offers time-stamped linking, letting you add notes, PPTs, and PDF files to specific sections of your online classes.
Features:
- Integrates with learning management systems (LMS) like Google Classrooms
- Versatile AKIs and SDKs to embed Muvi into online education platforms
- Built-in Content Delivery Network (CDN) for a lag-free global streaming experience
- Subtitles in various languages
Final Thoughts on Live Video Streaming for Education
Online learning is already here, and it will continue to stay. So, if you are an educator or a creator in that space, there is no doubt that you need to get on board with virtual learning. With technology evolving and more classes moving online, live streaming for education offers a great way to connect with students.
