Cloud technology is starting to have a huge impact on the field of academia. Global academic institutions spent nearly $2.7 billion on cloud computing in 2021 and that figure is expected to be worth over $15 billion by 2030.
Cloud technology has taken over all aspects of our lives, and schools are no exception. Increased connectivity and technology promote innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. Its immersive nature can boost student engagement and debug traditional learning methods. In fact, 81% of teachers see great value in using digital learning tools in the classroom. Let’s look at the benefits of using technology in the classroom with a few examples and their effect on learning and school management.
How to Use Cloud Technology in the Classroom
There are a ton of great reasons to consider investing in cloud technology when you are running an educational institution. BuiltIn covers some of these benefits:
- The cloud makes it easier for students to collaborate with each other and teachers.
- Cloud computing lowers IT infrastructural costs.
- The cloud improves data-driven online learning models.
- The cloud has helped students have easier access to their homework and course materials.
- Cloud technology makes educational resources more accessible.
- The cloud allows professors to host online videos to help students watch them again in case they missed anything.
A number of educational apps, like Kahoot, are out there to help students and teachers review information after a lesson is over. This is one of the reasons that the cloud is helping students get higher SAT scores. They also allow class participation for students who may be shy and reluctant to participate elsewhere. You can post homework or assignments online, such as on Blackboard or Google Classroom, helping students stay more organized.
Taking tests and quizzes via Google Forms also immediately lets the students know their scores. Similarly, video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom or Skype, can be handy for introducing guest speakers to class.
You can use augmented reality, such as in medical schools, to show 3D models of digestive systems or hearts. Another option is to take students on digital field trips using VR headsets. Online tools can also help the management create campus maps for larger institutions, including addresses, building names, parking lots, etc., to facilitate students and faculty.
The Benefits of Using Technology in the Classroom
Technology enhances student engagement and interaction; devices like tablets can turn dull subjects into fun and more interactive activities, such as by making use of leaderboards and reward schemes. It can increase retention, allow learners to apply them in practical scenarios, and get instant feedback after completing tasks. Gadgets that help students learn life skills, such as communication, leadership, research, networking, PowerPoint, Excel, and more, can prepare students for the workplace. As many programs and apps are free or include attractive business packages, you can avail of their benefits without added costs.
Learning theories suggest that word searches, puzzles, and more stimulate brain activity that lets you engage with problems from different perspectives. This is also ideal for students who can’t learn in conventional ways. Access to research sources allows teachers to encourage students to expand their knowledge and write about topics they’re interested in.
Technological integration can improve teamwork and collaboration through programs like Canva, Google Slides, and Google Docs that let students work with their peers remotely in real-time by giving them access to commenting, suggesting, or editing. They can keep track of changes to ensure everything is in order. They can create well-researched papers and high-quality presentations with convenience.
Educational apps with video footage or embedded audio can explain topics more clearly and thoroughly than textbooks. Students can listen to them on the go ( such as when taking the bus), maximize their time, and boost productivity.
Leveraging technology decreases paperwork for teachers and administrators as it can organize and analyze your papers to give a comprehensive report, helping you gauge students’ progress and modify your program to fit their needs. Technology can help update students and staff in case of important information or emergencies, such as by email, social media, or websites. Teachers can share calendars with students to inform them of deadlines and homework.
How Technology Can Enhance School Management
Technology can help improve a school’s management and administration outside of the classroom. Let’s take a look at how.
1. Use School Management Software
School management software, such as Teach ‘n Go, is a set of computer programs that digitalizes everyday school tasks. It can efficiently monitor, collect, and track all resources on a single platform. It can assist in:
- Scheduling classes within minutes and being web-based means you can access them in real time from anywhere. Teachers can spend less time on scheduling and more on teaching.
- Students can browse and book classes anytime and view private lessons or available courses that fit their schedule.
- It helps you assign pricing models (hourly, monthly, custom fee) to specific lectures.
- It keeps track of specific lessons, times, and availability of classes and notifies you in real-time of any scheduling conflicts.
- It helps you limit the number of people in class based on classroom size.
- You can easily copy classes that you have created before to save time.
- Teachers can easily enroll and unenroll students or enroll them in future classes.
- You can also archive classes to keep track of records.
- Better security and control
- Improved fee collection
It helps you transition to paperless administration. You can share modules via the internet and examine data online. You can also automate administrative tasks such as report generation or attendance tracking, freeing the workload of teachers and administration. This improves efficiency by streamlining administrative tasks and saving you time and money. Teachers can easily communicate with their colleagues and be held accountable (along with students and administrators) for their performance.
2. Student Information Systems
Student information systems (SIS) are software applications that manage student-related data. It acts as a core system of record (SOR). It can streamline administrative tasks, such as registering students for courses, creating transcripts, and managing student fees and financial aid. Degree audits provide information on student’s progress toward degree requirements, such as by showing classes in progress or courses completed. It can aid business transactions, such as managing student accounts receivable by tracking fees and tuition, collecting student payments, and managing payment plans. SIS also follows students through the admission process till final enrollment.
It acts as a centralized store for students’ data, which can reduce errors and improve data accuracy in record keeping. You can provide personalized guidance and support to students, enhance institutional performance by allowing you to make data-driven decisions, and improve student retention by identifying areas of improvement.
3. Cloud Computing in Education
Cloud computing expands what’s in the classroom to outside the classroom. You can transfer the school’s data to an offsite third-party cloud server. Its benefits include:
- Materials made by teachers, such as videos or presentations, can’t be lost even if you lose your data.
- It improves collaboration as teachers can easily exchange information and resources. Learners can also use LMS (learning management systems) to collaborate with classmates.
- It enhances data security as only users can access value materials and modules.
- You can quickly scale your resources and services according to your school’s needs.
- It activates data recovery plans to restore data in case of an emergency.
- You can save costs associated with purchasing software or hardware; you pay only for what you use.
Endnote
You can use cloud technology in numerous ways in school settings, from reducing administrative burden to enhancing the engagement of students. While some options can seem expensive, plenty of free options and alternatives are available for students and teachers alike. Some of these tools you no doubt already use in school settings. Having reliable digital platforms makes administration processes effective and efficient, allowing you to pay more attention to what’s important: your students.
