6 solution-based distance learning setups facilitated by Lenovo's EdVision

Lenovo is working closely with Microsoft to create education software solutions for effective implementation of e-learning through innovation and transformation focusing on ease of understanding, productivity, flexibility, and collaboration of users. This collaborative effort is the center of Lenovo’s EdVision program, which is aimed at assisting the academic sector and developing different solutions for various teaching needs.

“Lenovo makes sure that the learning experience of students is prioritized even as learning has moved to digital,” said Lenovo Philippines President and General Manager Michael Ngan. “We address the struggles of the teachers as we believe that they play a crucial role in maintaining quality education through the online platform. It may be tough, but with the right tech and support from education institutions, both teachers and students can achieve the optimal distance learning experience even amid the pandemic.”

Lenovo and Microsoft collaborate with educators to fully understand the challenges of the sector’s digital transformation amid the new normal. EdVision enriches smarter education through solutions that meet the demands of online teaching. This involves six solution-based remote learning setups:

Basic laptop-and-webcam setup

Unified communications (UC) platforms like Microsoft Teams maximize learning in the new-normal setup. This is the simplest and most cost-efficient option, wherein the educator teaches from anywhere using a notebook with a webcam. The students learn from home also using a PC/notebook or a tablet (even smartphones).

Small, medium, or large room

Talk about blended learning and this setup can come in handy. Institutions or schools can provide their educators with their own room for teaching—whether in a small, medium, or large room. The setup can involve up to three TVs or monitors, a notebook or tablet, a webcam, Microsoft Teams, and the Lenovo ThinkSmart Hub 500 running the Teams Rooms experience. The Lenovo ThinkSmart Hub 500 is pre-installed with Microsoft Teams Rooms to facilitate engagement whether the learners are joining the meeting in-person or remotely from their home for an ultimate hybrid collaboration.

Professional trainer setup

The setup is designed specifically for teachers, trainers, and managers. It involved a more comprehensive home office where teachers can mix technology with classroom equipment to recreate the customary ways of learning. Ideas can be better presented using a notebook, monitor, webcam, and a whiteboard with a dedicated content camera. Teams Rooms facilitates user-friendly and collaborative features on the Lenovo ThinkSmart Hub so teachers can effectively manage Teams video conferences.

Classroom or lecture hall

This setup is for teaching in a classroom or lecture hall. It takes advantage of available school utilities like whiteboards paired with auto-tracking cameras with deep learning for high-precision body tracking. This way, the teacher’s movements are captured by the camera for the benefit of learners who are joining the session online. The setup is best facilitated with a ThinkSmart Hub 500 running Teams Rooms to provide the feel of learning in an actual classroom setting wherever they are.

Virtual instruction (Green screen setup)

To increase engagement among students, a virtual classroom environment is created using live production tools like a high-resolution camera and production software. In this setup, teachers are like news anchors in a TV studio or whatever and wherever their creativity can take them. This involves tech devices that can facilitate distance learning. Such live productions can also be simultaneously published on platforms like YouTube or Facebook via Teams.

Moveable video conference kit

This setup is best for teachers who need to constantly move from a room to another during online teaching sessions. Tech equipment like webcam, monitor, and Teams Room control console is mounted on a wheeled stand. Another (separate) wheeled stand is dedicated to focusing on the physical whiteboard or TV to facilitate mobility and more comfortable teaching.