Success of Videoconferencing Could Keep a Lot of Education Work Remote

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 03/29/21

Two-thirds of people in the education sector expect to see a continuation of remote work post-pandemic. Sixty-five percent of respondents in education agreed that due to the success of remote collaboration, facilitated by videoconferencing, their organizations are considering a flexible remote working model.

The research was undertaken on behalf of Zoom by the Boston Consulting Group, which conducted a survey among people in six countries, including the United States. The goal was to understand the economic impact of remote work and video communications. All of those surveyed were full-time employees in a C-level, head of office or IT management position in an organization that used videoconferencing. The survey drew 5,820 respondents in multiple industries, including education.

Those employed in education said their operations saw 3.3 times more use of remote work during the pandemic, with 3.5 times more use of videoconferencing. Eight in 10 respondents agreed that videoconferencing solutions would "continue to be essential" beyond the current crisis.

In spite of the high expectation that remote work would endure, just 39% of American respondents in all types of businesses said they'd expect their organizations to work remotely after the pandemic. And a slight majority (54%) said they'd expect at least half of their employees to continue using videoconferencing.

The analysis calculated that 2.28 million jobs were preserved across all business sectors by use of remote work in the United States, representing 2% of the economy.

More complete results are available on the Zoom site.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • digital illustration of Estonia with glowing neural network-like connections spreading across the map

    Estonia to Roll Out ChatGPT Edu for all Secondary Schools

    In a nationwide artificial intelligence program dubbed "AI Leap 2025," the country of Estonia plans to provide free access to leading AI applications for all secondary school students and teachers. The initiative will launch with a rollout of ChatGPT Edu to 20,000 high school students in grades 10-11 and their 3,000 teachers, beginning Sept. 1.

  • pattern of icons for math and reading, including a pi symbol, calculator, and open book

    HMH Launches Personalized Path Solution

    Adaptive learning company HMH has introduced HMH Personalized Path, a K-8 ELA and math product that combines intervention curriculum, adaptive practice, and assessment for students of all achievement levels.

  • laptop screen displaying a typed essay, on a child

    McGraw Hill Acquires Essaypop Digital Learning Tool

    Education company McGraw Hill has announced the acquisition of Essaypop, a cloud-based writing tool that will enhance the former's portfolio of personalized learning capabilities.

  • teacher

    6 Policy Recommendations for Adopting AI in the Classroom

    The Southern Regional Education Board's Commission on AI in Education has published six recommendations on adopting artificial intelligence in schools, colleges, and universities. The guidance marks the commission's first release since it was established last February, with more recommendations planned in the coming year.