Digital tools for video conferences, lectures, consultations

1. Presentation of digital tools for synchronous video communication

In the digital age, synchronous video communication has become a key tool in higher education. It allows teachers and students to interact in real time, regardless of physical distance. During the pandemic (COVID-19), these tools experienced a sharp increase in use, but even after that they remained an important part of educational practices, especially in hybrid and online classes. There are a number of solutions on the market that differ in functionality, licensing models and level of adaptation to educational needs. The following will present the most commonly used tools in the higher education context (both in the Republic of Croatia and in the rest of the world): Zoom, Microsoft Teams, BigBlueButton, Google Meet and Jitsi Meet, with an emphasis on their advantages, disadvantages and possibilities of application in higher education.