It was a huge week in the field of Web-based real time communications (WebRTC), and the big theme this week—despite it being a shorter week than normal—was all about back to school. While some schools have been open for weeks, and others just started, one thing was clear: WebRTC drove some big new points home on the school front. So with the first weekend of the school year for many now afoot, it's a good time to take a step back and check out the biggest news of a shortened week with our Week in Review coverage!
First, we had a look at Pluralsight, who landed a hefty $135 million in Series B funding recently, in a bid to help promote its line of tech-centered e-learning offerings. With several firms getting in on the action, ranging from Venture Partners to Iconiq Capital and beyond, the new funding will boost Pluralsight's ability to offer courses on topics ranging from JavaScript to Windows Server and beyond, an increasingly valuable set of tools in a world running on tech.
Then, outside of the classroom, we had a look at the combination of Atlas and GENBAND, a new pairing that looks to bring together a package of secure multimedia communications cloud services and a product line increasingly focused on session initiation protocol (SIP) offerings. Set to be included in the lineup are HD voice tools, video and multimedia messaging systems, conferencing and Web collaboration tools and many more.
Back to class, we had a look at how WebRTC was putting value into the classroom. Since educational institutions have a regular crop of new users that need to be trained on new software, WebRTC can often prove a particular value here, especially in terms of video conferencing. While video conferencing in classrooms is often thought of as a field trip replacement, it also has plenty of room to serve as a training tool, and a way to personalize content presentation in a way that improves engagement.
Then we saw how WebRTC had a direct impact on higher education as well, particularly in terms of recruitment. Colleges are a lot like businesses in that same must attract and retain students in order to assure stable revenue sources. Video conferencing tools can be a big help here, as real time video interaction can serve as an excellent means for potential students and parents alike to directly ask questions of college personnel, and gather the information necessary to make an informed decision.
Finally, we took a general look at WebRTC and education, and saw how a variety of different firms ranging from Tokbox to Vidyo, from Studyflow to US Telecom, are building educational tools into product lines and operations portfolios. Tools like the ability to host live group video chat with UCLA professors on a virtual campus to the Zenph Online Education Network (ZOEN) for music teachers and students alike are just part of the picture.
WebRTC made a big splash in education this week, and the news that emerged in the field this week made that quite clear. Our global online community was right in the thick of it, bringing back all the best in news this week for us to consider, and whether it's time to go back to school or it's been back for some time, WebRTC is increasingly likely to go back. So be sure to join us back here next week for all the latest, and every weekend for our Week in Review coverage!
