The Future of Unified Communications in Education: Insights from Zoom’s First Annual Education Summit

• Classroom Preparation: As the 2022-23 school year approaches, educators are preparing their classrooms and eager to connect with their new students.
• Education Summit: To support these educators, Zoom recently held its first annual Education Summit, bringing together over 3,100 registered educators, IT professionals, and administrators to discuss the future of Unified Communications across the Connected Campus.
• Focus on Zoom Platform: The focus of the summit shifted from user training at scale to leveraging the entire Zoom platform in online schools, universities, and campuses, providing high-level thought-leadership to inspire new ideas and build lasting connections.
• Key Takeaways: The summit provided valuable insights and key takeaways for educators, IT professionals, and administrators to better prepare for the upcoming school year and beyond.

Leveraging Technology for Online and Hybrid Blended Learning in Higher Education.

• Welcome from Zoom President: The summit was opened by Zoom President Greg Tomb, who encouraged attendees to explore the future of education and how to use new and existing tools to enhance learning.
• Discussion on Online and Blended Learning: Zoom’s Global EDU CIO-Advisor Ted Brodheim, Dr. Charles Hodges, and Dr. Stephanie Moore engaged in a conversation about the importance of online and blended learning in higher education.
• Building Resilient Education Systems: Dr. Stephanie Moore emphasized the need for schools to create education and technology ecosystems that promote institutional resilience and flexibility.
• Infusing Technology into Institutional Culture: The speakers stressed the importance of incorporating technology tools, human resources, and professional development into the institutional culture and habits, rather than viewing technology as a standalone add-on.

Enhancing Student Engagement with Immersive Virtual Experiences.

• Session Overview: In this session, Mina Patel, the executive director for Video Conferencing for Global Learning, joined Paul Morrison of Zoom to talk about using technology to inspire students in the virtual world.
• Cutting-Edge Communications Solutions: The speakers emphasized how easy it is to bring immersive experiences to the classroom with the help of innovative communications solutions and hardware.
• Digital Field Trips and Guest Speakers: By utilizing video conferencing to bring digital field trips and guest speakers directly into the classroom, teachers can provide equal learning opportunities and create engaging educational experiences for all students.
• Leveling the Playing Field: The use of technology helps level the playing field for accessibility and allows students to participate in rich and interactive learning experiences, regardless of their location or background.

“Streamlining the Digital Experience for Educators”

• Overview: This session explored how to simplify the digital experience for busy educators by offering them training and support.
• Challenges Faced by Educators: The speakers acknowledged that teachers lead hectic lives and often don’t receive the technology support they need.
• Solution: Technical Sales Architects Todd Dewell and Mike Williams from Zoom presented a roadmap of how schools can integrate Zoom into their Learning Management System (LMS) to streamline faculty workflow and provide a seamless experience for students.
• Streamlining Workflow: The speakers discussed how Zoom can help simplify the digital experience for educators by streamlining their workflow and providing a single user experience for students. This can help teachers focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality education.

“Ensuring On-Site Safety through Efficient Communication”

• Importance of Preparation: This panel emphasized the importance of having proper processes and solutions in place for emergency situations in schools.
• Expert Panel: Dustin Ferguson (Zoom Education CSM), Sean Gaines (Zoom Phone Expert), and Brent Kiedrowski (VP of Strategic Initiatives and Channel at Singlewire) discussed how schools can leverage the Zoom platform to improve emergency communication and response efforts.
• Key Benefits of Using Zoom: The experts highlighted the advantages of using Zoom for day-to-day communications, such as morning announcements, two-way intercom between classrooms and front desks, and bell schedules. They emphasized that by using the same system for mass communications, schools can test and improve their emergency response capabilities.
• Conclusion: The panelists emphasized the importance of having a dynamic communication system in place to ensure on-site safety and to provide efficient communication during both normal and emergency situations.

The Power of Storytelling in Remote Education

The world of education has undergone a profound transformation in recent years, particularly with the rise of remote learning. But one aspect of learning that has remained unchanged is the importance of creativity and storytelling. By harnessing the power of Zoom and its unique capabilities, educators have the ability to bring the world into their classrooms, and captivate the imaginations of their students through the magic of storytelling.

In this session, attendees delved into the crucial role storytelling plays in education and explored ways in which they can empower their students and themselves to enhance the learning experience. By incorporating real-world experiences and stories that capture their learners’ attention, educators can create a truly immersive educational experience.

Continuing the Learning Journey The first annual Zoom Summit was just the beginning of a journey filled with learning and discovery. We hope that attendees will continue their education with us through the Zoom Learning Center, where they can access tracks specifically designed for educators and learn more about the Zoom platform.

Additionally, we encourage attendees to join the Zoom Educator Community, where they can engage in discussions, ask questions, and exchange best practices with a community of peers. Let’s continue the conversation and keep the learning going!”

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