Smart video conferencing company Owl Labs has released research on how UK universities are struggling to keep up with the remote study trend and failing to meet the demands of modern day students.
Recent research shows UK universities have again struggled to fill places this Summer, particularly for mature students – aged 19 and over – who are often those requiring more flexible means of study.
The study, conducted by OnePulse, asked 1,000 UK university students and found that on average, students miss ten hours of classes a month.
The same survey unearths that UK universities are struggling to keep up with the remote study trend, which has taken off in the workplace to adapt around modern lifestyles.
It reveals a severe lack of remote learning options at UK universities, with nearly two thirds (59 per cent) of students stating they do not have the option to attend lectures or seminars remotely.
On the flip side, universities that are embracing the remote learning demand are unfortunately hindered by stagnant technology, resulting in a lower quality of education than those in the room.
When joining a seminar remotely, over 40 per cent of students note that they find it hard to pay attention (42 per cent) and difficult to absorb information (41 per cent).
Owl Labs’ IoT tool The Meeting Owl is attempting to combat these problems with a 360 degree smart conferencing camera which automatically focuses on the person speaking to create an immersive telepresence experience.
“With UK universities struggling to fill places, institutions must start adapting to student needs and the evolving work environment so they can get the most out of their education,” said Owl Labs CEO Max Makeev.
“Universities cannot ignore remote and flexible learning demands, and it’s crucial that they adopt an effective solution that can adapt to everyone – no matter where they are.
“Effective learning requires strong communication and UK universities are not equipped to achieve this with their current remote learning tech.”