Why / Why Now?

Online, Hybrid and Blended are Here to Stay:

Online teaching and training SURGED ahead in 2020/21, and education experts and market researchers agree that the combination of online and face-to-face teaching models ("hybrid" or "blended" as we say "in the biz") are here to stay. I personally know numerous instructors who, a year and a half ago, never thought they could teach their subject online and are now excited by the possibilities online learning has opened-up for their programs. This sentiment is echoed across the internet.

"Even after the pandemic, educators might continue lecturing over Zoom and other videoconferencing platforms. However, they’ll be doing it in more sophisticated ways. People will be making these experiences more collaborative, more authentic — with much richer interactions and conversations,” (Stone, 2021)

"Hybrid Learning is here to stay.." (Goble, Giles & Flippen 2021)

Growth predicted in relevant Markets:

  • Online education landscape is set to become a $319 billion industry by 2025 (Research and Markets)

  • The global video conferencing market is projected to to grow from 6.28 billion in 2021, to 12.99 billion in 2028 (Fortune business Insights)

  • The market size for interactive whiteboards is projected to be 2.8 billion by 2027 and Education currently accounts for approximately 75% of the sector. (Grand View Research)

People Crave Connection:

The past year and a half has underscored the need for connection in online spaces and synchronous breakout activities give students permission to talk with their peers, promote community, social learning practices and encourage introverted students to participate (Reina, 2021).


These kinds of activities need to be easier for teachers to plan and manage.

Summary:

In summary, as online learning practices continue to expand, the need for synchronous connection expands too, and with it, the need for small-group activities that can be quickly and easily facilitated across a variety of subjects and meeting solutions.