Three rural schools faced teacher shortages and limited subject options. By building immersive, networked classrooms powered by NETGEAR M4250/M4350 AV switches, they connected students across campuses in real time. The result: synchronized, high-quality audio and video experiences that feel like one shared classroom — expanding access to education and redefining connected learning.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Across the Netherlands, three secondary schools were facing a growing challenge: fewer students, limited teaching staff, and an urgent need to modernize how education was delivered. Yet, rather than scaling back, these schools decided to reimagine learning altogether. Their vision was bold — create a Virtual Campus that connects classrooms across multiple locations in real time, enabling teachers and students to interact naturally as if they were in one shared space.
To bring that vision to life, the schools needed a foundation capable of handling high-quality, low-latency audio and video across multiple sites. They needed a network designed for AV-over-IP. They needed NETGEAR.
Traditional video conferencing tools could not deliver the realism or reliability required for truly immersive teaching. The schools needed an environment where distance disappeared — where teachers could make eye contact with students across town, and discussions flowed without delay or distortion.
This meant designing a network that could:
Handle massive bandwidth from multiple HD video streams.
Deliver ultra-low latency to keep speech, motion, and interaction perfectly in sync.
Provide centralized control and simple management for non-technical staff.
Scale easily as new classrooms or campuses joined the system.
In essence, the network had to be invisible — delivering flawless performance behind the scenes, so teachers and students could focus on learning.
The integrator responsible for designing the system selected NETGEAR’s AV Line switches — specifically the M4250 and M4350 Series — to form the backbone of the immersive classroom network.
Built from the ground up for professional AV-over-IP environments, NETGEAR’s AV Line provided exactly what the schools needed: a high-performance, reliable, and easily managed infrastructure capable of supporting real-time audio and video with Dante AV technology.
Each immersive classroom was equipped with multiple large displays and cameras, creating a sense of shared physical presence between campuses. Every video and audio signal —from microphones and cameras to displays and speakers —traveled across the NETGEAR-powered network with millisecond precision. The M4250 and M4350 switches ensured these signals remained perfectly synchronized, delivering a seamless learning experience that felt natural and human.
Key advantages of the NETGEAR solution included:
Pre-configured AV profiles: Simplified setup for Dante, NDI, and AVB protocols meant the integrator could deploy quickly and confidently.
Low-latency, high-bandwidth performance: NETGEAR’s switches ensured consistent, lossless AV transmission even under heavy load.
Scalable architecture: The schools could easily add new classrooms or expand to other campuses without reengineering the network.
Centralized, user-friendly management: With the intuitive NETGEAR Web GUI and AV GUI, administrators could monitor and control the network without deep IT expertise.
With the NETGEAR AV network in place, the schools successfully launched their Virtual Campus. Teachers could now instruct classes spanning three separate locations, and students could collaborate in real time as if they were sitting together.
The results were transformative:
Improved accessibility: Students gained access to courses that were previously unavailable due to low enrollment.
Enhanced engagement: The immersive experience increased participation and made remote learning feel personal.
Operational efficiency: Teachers could reach more students without additional travel or scheduling complexity.
Future-ready infrastructure: The NETGEAR backbone allows the schools to expand the system to new subjects, campuses, and even other regions.
As one educator shared:
“What impressed us most was how natural it felt. There’s no delay, no distortion — just a classroom full of students, even if they’re miles away. The NETGEAR network made that possible.”
NETGEAR’s success in professional AV environments comes from understanding that reliable networking is the cornerstone of every modern experience — whether in education, business, hospitality, or entertainment.
The M4250 and M4350 AV Line switches are not just IT products — they’re purpose-built for AV professionals. With deep integration for protocols like Dante, AES67, and NDI, they deliver the speed, synchronization, and simplicity that audio-visual applications demand.
Unlike general-purpose switches, NETGEAR’s AV Line is optimized from factory settings for multicast traffic and IGMP, ensuring flawless signal distribution for even the most demanding installations. The result is an infrastructure that “just works” — a plug-and-play foundation for AV-over-IP innovation.
For these schools, that reliability means every lesson runs smoothly, every signal arrives on time, and every student stays connected. For educators and integrators, it means confidence — knowing the technology is there to empower, not hinder, the experience.
This project demonstrates what happens when vision meets innovation. The schools wanted to connect their communities, enhance learning, and remove barriers. With NETGEAR as the backbone, they achieved something remarkable: a real-time, immersive educational experience that transcends geography.
From classrooms to boardrooms, NETGEAR continues to power the next generation of connected environments — with networks built for performance, simplicity, and human connection.
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Also interested in the Dante version of this case? Read:The Future of Learning: Creating Immersive Classrooms with Dante Video
