Education spotlight


the evolution of interactive whiteboards, cloud-based platforms for remote learning and more sophisticated AV equipment, these days it’s almost impossible to determine an area of education that hasn’t been transformed by new and emerging technologies.


Tools for the future As a result, schools need to ensure seamless connectivity and enhanced networks to meet the demand of more sophisticated tech across their sites, whilst giving students access to the tools that will allow them to learn successfully outside of the classroom. Te good news is the rapid shiſt to remote education forced upon students, teachers and parents by (ongoing) school closures has paved the way for a whole host of EdTech innovation, making online learning more interactive and accessible.


Rise of the virtual classroom Keeping the classroom atmosphere alive during the pandemic has been a huge challenge for teachers. At the same time, parents have also been given the added responsibility of building a positive and productive learning environment within their homes. Tis has paved the way for the rise of the virtual classroom designed to recreate the collaborative nature of physical space and engage students in immersive real-time learning. In an effort to provide the best quality teaching and learning


environment, many schools have standardised the use of virtual tools, such as Google Classroom accessed via Chrome books. Tis for many has been a vital lifeline in enabling teaching and peer-to- peer engagement for students during times of physical distance. Tis shiſt to online classrooms has been backed by a number of Government and charity initiatives to deliver millions of devices to the most disadvantaged pupils across the nation, enabling them to participate.


Digital e-learning libraries Reading materials are of course an essential part of the learning experience at any age or level. Physical textbooks and materials remain a cornerstone of education. If you go to any college or university, you will still see huge brick and mortar libraries containing essential works across all topics, subjects and time periods. However, in a blended learning world, there is a crucial need


to provide digital access to these materials. E-learning platforms have bridged the gap of physical textbooks, housing millions of reading materials and resources that can be tailored to Lexile levels and accessed easily on almost any device. As hybrid models come increasingly to the fore, we can certainly expect a greater blend between traditional textbooks and digital reading tools. Beyond learning itself, students, teachers and parents have a


number of added responsibilities that work together to create a successful learning experience. Te last two years have increased the spread of information outside of one base classroom. Managing timetables, curriculums and homework tasks across multiple learning locations is no easy feat and this is where dedicated student and learning management systems (LMS) come into their own. Integrated management systems offer one version of the truth, which can be updated live in-line with new requirements. It’s safe


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to say that systems like this will bring much-needed visibility, transparency and structure for educators and learners alike, and will long continue on their upward trajectory. Of course, onboarding and managing so many new tools does not


come without its challenges. Whilst Education Technologies deliver an enhanced learning experience, securely maintaining confidential data and enabling effective communication between teacher, pupils and parents, networks continue to be stretched to capacity. Naturally, the rollout of digital platforms like Google Classroom


has forced change for teachers, pupils and network administrators alike. Networks need sufficient capacity and administrators need the tools to manage the network in real-time to prevent bottlenecks and unnecessary disruption in the classroom. What’s more, institutions are no longer concerned with just their own networks, but must also be mindful of the potential risks associated with students accessing school portals on their home WiFi network. As education organisations increasingly balance a blend of on


premise and portable connected devices, flexible deployment of both wired and wireless systems will be critical. Centralised management must also enable network operators and site managers to identify and resolve issues remotely, to ensure high-speed wireless signals cover an entire campus, as well as secure access to the school networks for children learning from anywhere. Soſtware Defined Networking integrates network devices,


including access points, switches and gateways plus provides intuitive centralised cloud management, is the key to highly scalable networks that safeguard and meet the ever-increasing pressures on our integral education services. Tat’s why, when education institutions are assessing whether


their network is up to scratch for digital learning, there are some key elements to look for in the company that will help them achieve this: • In the pre-installation stage, make the most of site surveys and heat map data to identify any potential issues, and create an accurate diagnosis on how to install the best possible networks for their requirements


• Ensuring centralised management so each site has the same configuration. Many teachers frequently have to move between sites and therefore look to simplify this process so they can focus on teaching, as opposed to thinking about their WiFi network


• Create a guest portal for visitors and regular clubs/societies • Ensure that there are no ongoing licence fees • Source high-quality manufacturer support to ensure the best value, high performance solution


As a result, technologies like WiFi 6 are increasingly coming into


their own. One of the main benefits is the ability to support much higher density clients, meaning that educational spaces can have more devices connecting to an individual access point at any one time. Tese much needed faster speeds will prove increasingly vital


to WiFi experiences, contributing to better performance and pupil interactions, whilst reducing the number of access points organisations need to service more devices. When a class takes to their tablets or laptops to complete e-learning tasks, students won’t be held back by unstable connectivity or slow WiFi speeds, and can achieve their full potential.


April 2022 | 43


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