Smart Classroom and Group Bible Studies
Practical Usage of a Smart Classroom for Group Bible Studies or Teaching Classes.
I have two goals in this post: 1) to describe how we use a smart classroom at Greenwood, and 2) how I use one for teaching at Texas Baptist College. But I think it’s best to describe my terms and give a little bit of a “why” for using a smart classroom to start off.
What is a Smart Classroom?
I’m going to use the term smart classroom broadly here to refer to any teaching/study room that includes a 2 way video element. Some call this a hybrid classroom or a flex classroom. I’ve heard a few people call it a connected classroom too, but I think all classrooms are connected to electrical (and often video) systems already.
A 2 way video element could be the use of something like an owl meeting camera, or a more complex Zoom Room (or something else). Even a laptop at the end of a conference table could work (and is the most common from what I’ve seen). You don’t have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to accomplish the goals that I have in mind here.
Why Do This?
I understand the great commission to mean that my goal is to make disciples who are close by where I live and far away from where I live. One of the ways I can accomplish that goal is through video communication. I’m not arguing that teaching video is better, or the same as in person, or anything like that. I’m just stating that it is a way to disciple people.
We have seen from surveys and our experience at Greenwood, that people who are “regular attenders” tend to actually show up 2-3 times per month. We can debate whether that is “good” or not, but the thing I want to discuss is how to increase that number. At Greenwood we have found that people will often listen to, watch or join via zoom (or worship live online) at least 1 more time per month if the option exists. In other words, they will use the opportunity to connect digitally if it exists (at least at our church).
Utilizing a Smart Classroom for Group Bible Study
This is low-hanging fruit. You just have your group with a video conference option right alongside the in-person meeting. Does it work? It does for us. We have a women’s Bible study that does this every week and has a handful of women join via zoom each week. They utilize an owl camera. One of our other Group Bible studies is made up of younger folks in the rodeo world. They regularly meet in a home. But occasionally, they will meet via zoom, or include the option by connecting a laptop to a TV. By the way, 5 people were saved at the meeting last week. So yes it works.
Utilizing a Smart Classroom for Teaching Classes
I teach from a smart classroom (with an expensive setup) at Texas Baptist College. My students are able to join even when they are in quarantine from sickness. A few of my students do not live in the state, but are able to dialogue with the class and see what is going on. It took me a few weeks to get used to a disembodied voice chiming into questions, but now that' I’ve learned to look at the screen more - it works.
Conclusion
The use of a smart classroom has allowed me to teach more people how to study and teach the word of God. It has enabled groups that I oversee to include more people. I do want people to be connected IRL (in real life) primarily, but I’ve learned that isn’t always an option for people. So why would I deny them the chance to be discipled just because I prefer to see them in the room?