How Schools Have Changed Since the Start of the Digital Revolution
Education has suffered more than most sectors during the pandemic, yet that aside, schools and universities around the world have kept pace with tech development and teach the next generation cutting-edge technology to drive the world forward.
Campus Security
Security is just one aspect of schools and almost without exception, education institutions have a very good security system in place. Video surveillance would cover every square metre of the campus and there would be a strong access control system to screen visitors and employees. The school visitor management system from Taremtec, a leading UK tech developer with tailored solutions for schools, is just one example of how schools provide the best security. This product is tailored for schools, with a single sign-in system that is touch-screen operated and every single person entering the school is invited to sign in. Staff can easily be trained on how to manage the system, which keeps records of every person and their reason for being on campus and you can call up data at any time.
IT Focused
If you wonder why your kids know more about digital tech than you, their school curriculum is very IT focused; secondary students send and receive their assignments using email and web design is part of the curriculum in years 11 and 12. It is vital to equip the young learner with digital knowledge that will empower them to enjoy a successful career and a happy life. All schools, colleges and universities have an IT department; indeed, many school websites are administrated by the students, which is a great idea. Cyber protection is a critical part of the IT course; students quickly learn how to protect their identity online and understand the need to frequently change passwords. If you are not sure how to set up your laptop for the best security, your son or daughter will be able to help and that’s nothing to be embarrassed about, today’s kids were born in a digital age, whereas older people can find it hard to understand. Here is an informative article on the importance of negotiation and people skills, which we all need to hone.
School Management
We would all agree that a large school or university takes a lot of managing and today’s school would use specific software that is designed with schools in mind. Most UK schools have a secure cloud network that might be managed by a 3rd party IT support company, which enables teachers and administrators to access critical data from any location. Accounts, parental participation, government compliance; all these things would be managed by special software that is both user-friendly and secure.
Active Learning Strategies
Using digital solutions, it is very easy to create an active learning environment and for the past 20 years, all UK schools have been adopting an active learning approach. Research tells us that students learn best when they have a role in the learning process; the UK Ministry of Education drives active learning and teacher training focuses on preparing the teacher to be a facilitator, rather than delivering instruction. Learning by doing is not a new concept; an educator by the name of Rudolph Steiner discovered that young children learn best when having a hands-on role in the learning process. One aspect of active learning is to teach the students how to ‘self-learn’ using Google and the Internet and by the time a student reaches secondary school, they are able to use search engines at an advanced level. Active learning empowers the students, as it develops critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, which is why top schools in the UK use a project-based approach to deliver the National Curriculum.
Distance Learning Programs
The pandemic caused many learning institutions to offer their students study from home options and that is quite an investment from the school’s perspective. The IT department would manage the high-bandwidth Broadband connection, which is essential to deliver online lessons, while students also require a laptop, a webcam and a stable Internet connection. Without distance learning, students would not have been able to continue their education and even when the pandemic is finally behind us, e-learning will always provide alternative ways to learn. Many UK adults are currently learning online, as all colleges and universities now offer their programs in an online environment, so if you would like to obtain a degree, search with Google for a suitable college or university and check out the course details.
The future of education will surely be powered by 5G and the Internet of Things and as technology evolves, schools, colleges and universities make sure their students are IT competent, equipping them to succeed in their chosen profession.