
ATLANTA — Georgia State University was recently recognized by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) with a TAG Technology Award in the category of “Tech Evolution” for exploration of simulcast classroom technologies.
The award recognizes a technology program or product that pre-existed for one purpose and was adapted for another purpose with positive impact in the year prior to the award.
Simulcast classrooms allow students to attend class from a mix of in-person and remote locations at the same time using technologies such as video conferencing, multiple in-room screens and course tools meant to encourage active participation and discussion among virtual and in-person participants.
The university’s division of Instructional Innovation and Technology (IIT) first developed a small number of classrooms with this simulcast model to offer courses led by a single instructor in an in-person classroom teaching to multiple additional classrooms across the university’s six campuses, with students also able to attend from other remote locations. Use cases for the technology widened during the COVID-19 pandemic as additional scenarios for remote and hybrid learning were increasingly adapted, and in the past year variations of the original simulcast model have been expanded to 50 percent of the university’s generally scheduled classrooms.
One use of the technology has been to allow hundreds of students who might otherwise not have had access to high-demand courses to experience them through a virtual course attendance component.
“When implemented well, simulcast can provide students with more flexibility, wider learning opportunities and access to high-quality instruction with the intent of maintaining engagement through emerging technologies,” said Lee Webster, director of learning environments for IIT.
TAG Technology Awards promote and celebrate the inclusive technology community throughout Georgia. The awards were presented March 29 at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.
“Georgia is a global hub for innovation — filled with leaders and organizations that are creating the next generation of ingenuity to make the world a better place,” said Larry K. Williams, president and CEO of the Technology Association of Georgia. “These shining stars are shaping our future, and I’m proud to celebrate their achievements.”