In the digital age, education has undergone a remarkable transformation, driven by the rapid advancement of technology. Traditional classrooms are giving way to digital learning environments, empowering students and educators alike to access a world of knowledge at their fingertips. As schools, colleges, and learning institutions embrace this digital revolution, the role of a reliable and competent digital education solution provider becomes paramount. Schools will inevitably want to invest in EdTech that will be both beneficial and effective when it comes to enhancing students’ learning experiences and opportunities. However, with the sheer amount of technology available, it can be challenging to identify those resources, products, or tools that tick all the boxes as well as the right provider to partner with on those needs.
While there are always new products being introduced onto the market, schools have started to become wiser in the ways they make their decisions. Rather than simply buying the latest and greatest technology because it looks exciting or is the latest fad, staff members are focusing on what will really cater to their specific requirements and provide value to both the school and students. This is why finding the right partner who can provide a complete digital education solution is crucial. Below, we’ve compiled a ten-part checklist to help you select a digital education solutions provider that is going to best suit your needs and the needs of your students.
1. Assess Your Needs and Goals
Before embarking on your search for a digital education solution provider, it’s important to take the time to assess your specific needs and goals. Consider factors such as the size of your institution, the age group of your students, and the subjects or disciplines you want to cover. Clearly defining your requirements will help you narrow down the options and find a provider that aligns with your vision.
2. Confirm Connectivity
Before you invest in any technology, it’s important to check your IT infrastructure. For example, it’s no good investing in iPads for the school if the broadband bandwidth and Wi-Fi connectivity aren’t up to scratch. So, before you do anything, check connectivity. It’s important to think about the long-term strategy; don’t stick with your existing infrastructure because it’s too big of a challenge to change things. It will cause problems in the long run. With the right digital education solutions provider, this can be altered with minimum disruption or impact on the running of the school. With the right IT infrastructure in place, schools can be assured that they have the flexibility to grow and evolve with the changes and updates to EdTech.
3. Seamless Integration and Compatibility
Along with connectivity, a crucial consideration when choosing a digital education solution provider is compatibility with your existing systems and infrastructure to work in harmony to make teaching as easy as possible. There are three main compatibility features to focus on.
First, the ease of transition. From personalized learning to student interventions, many educators have already taken steps to enhance the learning environment by integrating technology resources into the classroom. Ensuring you can still reap the rewards of these EdTech applications and guarantee a smooth transition, make sure the new technology is compatible with existing software. Next, consider how open and agnostic the new technology is. This is an important aspect of digital education solutions as some are more flexible with compatible file formats than others. Digital whiteboards like ViewBoards for Education check this box while also supporting the most prolific platforms in education including Microsoft, Google, and Apple operating systems and education services. Finally, as technology is rapidly evolving, it is important that EdTech resources can keep pace and are compatible with the changes in the industry. Additionally, sourcing digital solutions that can undergo upgrades without having to re-purchase the product or license is also a bonus.
4. Ensure EdTech Resources Tick All the Boxes
Being a teacher is so much more than just delivering a lesson to a class. The planning, preparation, marking, and feedback that goes into the job is just as important as the actual delivery of the lesson. Therefore, you need the tools and resources to assist. In an already saturated market, there is an abundance of resources to assist with lesson planning. However, it is important to use platforms that are easy and efficient to use. For example, using digital whiteboards ensures that content created on your PC can be easily replicated and presented to the whole class. Or connecting all devices together means that you can plan a lesson wherever you are – classroom or not – and then simply connect and deliver it during the lesson. Look for those technology resources that not only deliver effective and impactful results but also minimize workloads and make the process a lot simpler and intuitive for you.
Quite often, software options have a lot more capabilities than you might be aware of, so it’s important to spend a little bit of time training yourself and getting to grips with all the features and functions. A good example of this is interactive whiteboard software. Whiteboard software has a wide array of tools to choose from and besides the obvious features, teachers now have the ability to appeal to the visual, auditory, read-write, and kinesthetic learners in their classroom by creating lessons that both engage and appeal to everyone in the classroom.
5. Security and Data Privacy
In an era of increasing data breaches and privacy concerns, stringent data protection and security measures should be a key consideration with any technology resources. Ensure that the digital education solution provider adheres to stringent security protocols, including data encryption, access controls, and regular updates to safeguard sensitive information. Compliance with data protection regulations, such as GDPR or CCPA, is also essential.
A good checklist to reference when assessing the security of digital solutions should include the ability to: encrypt data and guarantee authentication on network communications, provide unique user and device IDs to ensure privacy, and the ability to protect passwords from other websites and cloud storage systems without hindering authorized information sharing.
6. Aim to Keep Students Engaged
Being a teacher is so much more than just delivering a lesson to a class. The planning, preparation, marking, and feedback that goes into the job is just as important as the actual delivery of the lesson. Therefore, you need the tools and resources to assist. In an already saturated market, there is an abundance of resources to assist with lesson planning. However, it is important to use platforms that are easy and efficient to use. For example, using digital whiteboards ensures that content created on your PC can be easily replicated and presented to the whole class. Or connecting all devices together means that you can plan a lesson wherever you are – classroom or not – and then simply connect and deliver it during the lesson. Look for those technology resources that not only deliver effective and impactful results but also minimize workloads and make the process a lot simpler and intuitive for you.
Quite often, software options have a lot more capabilities than you might be aware of, so it’s important to spend a little bit of time training yourself and getting to grips with all the features and functions. A good example of this is interactive whiteboard software. Whiteboard software has a wide array of tools to choose from and besides the obvious features, teachers now have the ability to appeal to the visual, auditory, read-write, and kinesthetic learners in their classroom by creating lessons that both engage and appeal to everyone in the classroom.
7. Encourage Collaboration
Being a teacher is so much more than just delivering a lesson to a class. The planning, preparation, marking, and feedback that goes into the job is just as important as the actual delivery of the lesson. Therefore, you need the tools and resources to assist. In an already saturated market, there is an abundance of resources to assist with lesson planning. However, it is important to use platforms that are easy and efficient to use. For example, using digital whiteboards ensures that content created on your PC can be easily replicated and presented to the whole class. Or connecting all devices together means that you can plan a lesson wherever you are – classroom or not – and then simply connect and deliver it during the lesson. Look for those technology resources that not only deliver effective and impactful results but also minimize workloads and make the process a lot simpler and intuitive for you.
Quite often, software options have a lot more capabilities than you might be aware of, so it’s important to spend a little bit of time training yourself and getting to grips with all the features and functions. A good example of this is interactive whiteboard software. Whiteboard software has a wide array of tools to choose from and besides the obvious features, teachers now have the ability to appeal to the visual, auditory, read-write, and kinesthetic learners in their classroom by creating lessons that both engage and appeal to everyone in the classroom.
8. Scalability and Flexibility
Being a teacher is so much more than just delivering a lesson to a class. The planning, preparation, marking, and feedback that goes into the job is just as important as the actual delivery of the lesson. Therefore, you need the tools and resources to assist. In an already saturated market, there is an abundance of resources to assist with lesson planning. However, it is important to use platforms that are easy and efficient to use. For example, using digital whiteboards ensures that content created on your PC can be easily replicated and presented to the whole class. Or connecting all devices together means that you can plan a lesson wherever you are – classroom or not – and then simply connect and deliver it during the lesson. Look for those technology resources that not only deliver effective and impactful results but also minimize workloads and make the process a lot simpler and intuitive for you.
Quite often, software options have a lot more capabilities than you might be aware of, so it’s important to spend a little bit of time training yourself and getting to grips with all the features and functions. A good example of this is interactive whiteboard software. Whiteboard software has a wide array of tools to choose from and besides the obvious features, teachers now have the ability to appeal to the visual, auditory, read-write, and kinesthetic learners in their classroom by creating lessons that both engage and appeal to everyone in the classroom.
9. User Experience and Support
The success of any digital education solution depends on the experience and support it offers to both learners and educators. Look for a digital education solutions provider that prioritizes user-friendly interfaces, intuitive navigation, and seamless user experiences. Additionally, consider the level of technical support and training provided by the solution provider to ensure that you can make the most of the tool(s).
10. Simplicity is Key
Lastly but certainly not least, make sure to keep things simple. You can now invest in technology that is modern, logical, and intuitive and can be used by everyone in the classroom. Ideal for groups, individuals, or teachers – of all ages and abilities – this tech can be used by anyone while making learning fun and engaging. These are some of the different things that your tech needs to provide so that you and your students can reach their full potential. Used effectively, these resources can transform the education experience and, as a result, ease teachers’ workload and enrich every students’ learning experience.
Summing It All Up
Selecting a complete digital education solution provider is a critical decision that can transform the way education is delivered and experienced. Choosing the right digital education solution provider for you should be customized to your classroom’s particular needs. If you are ready to begin implementing EdTech and digital learning spaces into your classroom, or would like to learn more about integrating technology into the classroom, let us help! Parmetech is a full-service education technology solutions provider serving customers locally, regionally, and nationally. Give us a call at (800) 727-6383, email us at info@parmetech.com or connect with us online.
(From the editor: Parts of this blog were originally published on ViewSonic Library.)
