admin
Being a student is one of the most challenging tasks in a person’s life and there is no one who can deny that. However, it’s also the most exciting phase of life because it is during this time that one gets the opportunity to explore new ideas, new ways of learning, and build careers. It has been and can be best done through physical classes but online learning is also a great way to facilitate this.
However, you may wonder whether it’s worth turning on your computer’s video during an online class or not. Let us give you some insights on the benefits of having a video running during the class and why so many professors emphasize students turn on their webcam during lessons:
1. Gain Confidence
There’s no way that a professor can teach every student in one class. However, the amount of professors that roll with the video is so great that you will be able to get more personalized attention and individual attention than you would if the professor were standing in front of the class and talking to all his students.
If you are unsure about an answer or have a question, a professor can always go back and review something for clarification or show you how to do something more efficiently. You’ll have more confidence going into any online class knowing that your teacher won’t teach you something wrong, but rather help you do it better or explain how to do it if it’s not clear yet.
2. Get Help
There’s always the possibility that you have a question, meaning you may need to get help from your teacher during an online class. With the video running, you’ll be able to see your teacher’s face and will be able to answer any questions he has. This means that you won’t have to wait half an hour if he needs assistance and then get frustrated when it takes longer than expected. You can ask him questions sooner and receive help sooner also.
3. Meet New People
Another benefit of having the video running is partaking in online classes with different professors and seeing all kinds of different people learning and interacting with one another. There are always going to be different kinds of people in every class and the video will help you meet them. They may even be someone who becomes a friend or connection at your school or someone you stay in touch with regularly online. Remember, people are one of the best ways to learn, and having the video running will allow you to interact with a variety of different people from all over the world that can offer something new to your learning experience or ideas for what comes next.
4. Seeing Your Professor
Another great thing about having the video running during an online class is that it usually keeps things interesting for students and professors alike. Nobody wants to sit through a video each week that looks like this:
But, when the video is running, things will be much more exciting for you and for your professor. Having the video running allows your professor to see how engaged the students are in lessons, see if they are confused about something or what sort of questions they may have later on. You’ll feel like you have a personal connection with your professor during the class and will feel encouraged to participate more.
5. Adjustments
Sometimes having the video running will allow someone to help you adjust rather easily. Instead of having to tell them how to do something or sit through a lecture only to realize later on that you didn’t truly understand the material, you can turn on your video and work it out with your teacher in real-time. The teacher will see if you have any problems or are confused and can help you right away. This is especially useful for those who have trouble remembering things. Testing students’ recall is a common occurrence and many professors prefer not to talk over their explanations during online classes because they know that their videos will be quite clear. You’ll be able to have a better understanding of the material and remember it easily even without your teacher having to get every little thing explained.
6. Make Everyone Feel More Comfortable
As mentioned, knowing that other students in your class will be watching you and making sure that you are getting something out of the class can be very encouraging for them. There is no doubt about that. You’ll feel comfortable knowing that there are others in the same boat as you who just want to learn and succeed. This may even help you make some friends and connect with others who want to do well in an online class.
7. Get Help When You Need It
Sometimes, people don’t like asking questions in front of a lot of people. In this case, having a video running will allow you to ask a question and talk to your teacher about it right away in private. This way, you won’t be bombarded with questions or comments and can focus on what’s important.
These are only some benefits of having the video running during online classes. There are many more we could mention but these are sufficient enough to give you an idea of why so many professors use it and why there is such a big trend towards using it as research shows that it helps students to learn in a more engaging manner.
