Quiz Participation Enables Active Learning
Pilot Program Starts at 15 Seoul Schools from the 8th
Appearance using the VR mode presentation system (Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education)
[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] "What color is the presenter's shirt today?" As soon as the quiz was announced, the class screen, which had only shown the faces of students and teachers during remote classes, switched to the quiz screen. After selecting an option and clicking submit, the answer to the quiz was submitted. Sometimes, the teacher appeared in front of the presentation materials as if giving an actual lecture, and the class proceeded. This is a scene from a demonstration of remote classes using 'New SSEM,' a new remote class platform developed by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
The Education Research and Information Institute under the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced on the 8th that it has developed a remote class platform based on real-time interactive video lectures.
New SSEM was created to address the complaints of teachers and students regarding remote classes conducted due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Remote classes have been criticized for being less effective in inducing class concentration and participation compared to face-to-face classes. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education began developing the remote class platform in September.
New SSEM is characterized by its various communication methods for conveying messages. Through quizzes given by teachers, students were able to actively participate rather than just watching the screen passively. Teachers also conducted classes more like actual lectures through a virtual reality (VR)-type lecture system.
To help students concentrate, teachers can control students' audio, cameras, microphones, and more. In the demonstration, the teacher solved the howling problem that interfered with the class by using functions such as muting all microphones at the top. Additionally, through the platform, teachers can showcase various learning materials. Baek Young-jik, head of the Professor Learning Information Department at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, said, "It is possible to easily upload videos, web pages, files, and other materials frequently used by teachers," adding, "New SSEM is a platform that increases teachers' freedom."
Another advantage of New SSEM is that it allows many more participants compared to general video conferencing platforms. The video conferencing platform 'Zoom' allows up to 100 users to participate for free. New SSEM can accommodate up to 1,000 users. This means classes can be conducted for entire grades, not just one class.
Baek said, "We plan to conduct a pilot operation of New SSEM targeting 15 volunteer schools," and added, "In 2021, with support from private cloud services, we plan to expand operations to about 140 schools within Seoul."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
