Steve Braverman, co-founder of Coeo Solutions, discusses the ways in which cloud communications can improve the education experience for both students and staff
The world of education is changing rapidly and this industry as a whole is experiencing a revolution in terms of technology. Every classroom from K-12 through the university level is seeing the impact of technology. This is both to create more immersive learning environments and to provide teachers with tools beyond their physical classroom.
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However, incorporating technology into the classroom can put a strain on a school’s overall network if not done properly. From security concerns to reliability, a proper network and cloud communication system is what’s driving the new way of learning across the country.
Technology concerns
When schools incorporate technology into their educational process, there are a number of concerns that need to be addressed. These include:
- Teachers who incorporate technology into their lessons often try to create an immersive environment. Unfortunately, many teachers have found that connections between the classroom and the digital world can experience slowdowns. This can make it hard for curricula to stay on track.
- Schools also face a variety of security issues. With a high number of unfamiliar devices connecting to the school or college network, it can be hard to keep networks secure and prepped for potential security issues.
- Finally, the large number of devices that connect to school campuses can place a tremendous amount of pressure on the network to keep up with the barrage of requests.
However, just like technology is changing the classroom, it’s also progressed so we can easily communicate across campuses and adequately handle security, bandwidth and other issues.
How cloud communication is fueling technology in the classroom
The cloud, as we call it, has changed significantly over the past few years and has evolved to be the most reliable, secure and best way to communicate. Whether it’s teachers and students in the classroom, or even online courses, it’s fundamentally allowing what wasn’t possible before.
Improved collaboration between teachers and students
A study completed by IT trade association CompTIA showed that three-quarters of teachers have found that technology is beneficial in the world of education. Teachers are already leveraging iPads, Smart Boards, and more; however, cloud communications can elevate this experience even further. Whereas education used to take place in a silo, with one teacher instructing a single group of students, now multidisciplinary collaboration can be the norm with cloud communications.
Scalability and flexible storage space
Another benefit of cloud communication is the increased storage space this platform can provide. More than 80% of IT leaders in the world of higher education have indicated that they plan to spend more money on cloud services. This is because cloud services have the advantage of scalable data centres and efficient software rollouts. This scalable technology means increased storage provided by cloud technology.
Cloud technology has the potential to make both teachers and students more productive.
Productivity
Cloud technology has the potential to make both teachers and students more productive. Students will have the ability to access digital resources that allow them to work at their own pace. According to a report by Docebo, the self-paced learning community is going to grow by close to 50% this year. Furthermore, studies have shown that a majority of full-time faculty at community colleges teach at a distance. This highlights the productivity of cloud technology and the benefits it provides to students and educators.
Messaging
Cloud technology also plays a tremendous role in messaging. Using cloud technology, students and teachers can communicate in a collaborative fashion using real-time messaging and video. This completely changes the way group projects are completed, improves the way teachers interact with students, and breaks down barriers in the world of education.
The benefits of moving to the cloud
Moving to the cloud offers schools a variety of benefits. First, security is always at the forefront. Campuses can be more secure thanks to private networks. Mobile apps are created with secure access, providing not only increased convenience but also improved flexibility.
There are also lower costs associated with a cloud-based system. When technology is streamlined with shared services, there are lower maintenance and hardware fees. Also, flexible payment plans and subscription-based plans allow schools to spend as needed.
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Finally, cloud-based systems are also easier to manage. All of the traffic on the network is easier to monitor, allowing for a lower IT staff burden. There are remote learning applications that make it easy for teachers to instruct at a distance. Teachers can tailor their individual tasks and instructions to meet the needs of their individual students, allowing for increased control over lessons. The improved management capacities of a cloud-based system cannot be overstated.
Rely on cloud communications in education
These are only a few of the numerous benefits of cloud communications in the education system. A cloud-based system can enhance the educational experience of students and teachers alike by providing increased accessibility, improved security, better efficiency, and heightened versatility.
Quelle:
https://edtechnology.co.uk/Blog/cloud-communication-in-education-driving-the-new-way-of-learning/
