VIEWS & OPINION
Empowering the education sector with the right technology
Comment by NICK OFFIN, Head of Sales, Marketing & Operations at Dynabook Northern Europe
Just before the pandemic, the Department for Education published statistics from their ‘Teacher Workload Survey’, showing that teachers would spend over 54 hours working both in and out of the classroom per week. Since then, class sizes are expected to increase, and the workload for teaching staff is expected to follow suit. This, combined with budget cuts has meant that the education sector in the UK has taken a huge hit in recent years.
Furthermore, research from The Guardian reveals that 79% of schools are struggling to recruit or retain teachers. So it’s no wonder that schools need to begin seeking out different ways to empower their staff. Technology is increasingly playing a bigger role in the classroom. And the need for technology isn’t limited to teachers either; behind the scenes, schools, sixth forms, colleges and universities are run by their non-teaching support staff. Without them, class wouldn’t happen at all. When thinking about building more resilient education
establishments, we need to take a holistic look at what’s needed. Because just as teachers need the tools to inspire students and do their jobs, so too do HR, admissions, operations and the myriad of other support structures need to be able to function effectively. In other words, the need for technology in the education sector is not limited to any single function.
Technology should foster efficiency, creativity, and collaboration. At its best, it should help both students and teachers generate, capture, and act upon great ideas. In the new world of hybrid learning and working, it should also make it easier for behind-the- scenes employees to work on the go when they need to, achieve a healthy work/life balance and collaborate flexibly. When it doesn’t, both teacher and learner experiences can suffer. ITDMs that understand this should increase their focus on experience initiatives that improve user-facing technology.
The state of play
With hybrid working a now permanent fixture in the lives of most, and hybrid learning gaining rapid traction, many organisations have already increased their focus on optimising a work (or learn) from- anywhere approach. One of the easiest and most effective ways to do that is by empowering remote users with better devices – followed by better software. Crucially, the technology should not be seen as a short term bandage. Users themselves also need to be satisfied with the tech as a way of improving their own experience and satisfaction, both inside and outside the classroom.
But educational technology has some challenges, especially when it comes to use and implementation. Concerns such as excessive screen time, the effectiveness of teachers using the technology, and worries about technology equity are valid concerns that need addressing. Additionally, while some students thrive in online education settings, others do not, either for personal or practical reasons. The best way to circumvent such issues is with devices that are, or can be tailored to, various requirements and tasks. There is no one- size-fits-all tech for any user, but things like interface diversity,
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expansion options and great connectivity can make all the difference. For employees, teachers or students working from home, notebook stands can improve ergonomics, and wireless mice and keyboards can also increase operational comfort.
Accessories matter
Hardware is also important, and laptops that are easy to carry, lightweight and can be moved from space to space are perfect for students, particularly those that study off-campus or at universities. They could also need specially designed backpacks that are securely padded to transport equipment, and locks that protect against theft and data theft. Suitable accessories are worthwhile and support the hybrid transition- not only to increase satisfaction, but also to ensure the highest performance and ultimate flexibility by comparatively simple means. For universities in particular, not only would such things improve the employee experience overall, it can also help them stay
competitive. By improving efficiency and productivity with the right tools, students and workers alike can complete their tasks swiftly and effectively, as well as improving internal communications and staying organised as they manage multiple tasks at once.
A more sustainable path
Sustainability is more than just a buzzword; for many organisations today, it is a make-or-break philosophy that can attract or retain talent. IT leaders know they need to consider the impact of the number and types of devices to both power their businesses and sustain it. Computers, laptops, tablets, phones and printers all invariably have their own environmental footprint and, following a global surge of interest and need for portable devices during the pandemic – it might be easy to think that remote working is bad for the planet. But with the opportunity to move away from a linear model and towards a circular economy in electronics, it’s crucial for any and all organisations to start thinking about improving the life-cycle environmental performance of products. For a sustainable, circular economy in the IT industry, reducing e-waste, and using schemes such as reusing, recycling and asset recovery have never been so important.
While most technology vendors are focused solely on the environmental credentials of their own products, the onus on how well a product is disposed of often rests on their decision-making at the top of the buying chain. The shift to a more circular model of operating when it comes to technology devices, and improving behaviours when it comes to electronic waste is already in full force. This means that IT leaders in the education sector are in the perfect position to become an intrinsic part of the sustainability cycle that follows technology from its origins to end of life, and choose vendors that give them good lifecycle options.
Prioritising technology can often seem like an uphill battle against limited education budgets and the status quo. But in this new era of hybrid learning, there has never been a more crucial time to think about user needs, to better serve the needs of your business.
October 2022
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