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Digital classrooms aren’t a distraction. Here’s why.

Many people assume that devices and technology distract students and negatively affect how teachers run their lessons. That’s not the case when implementation is done purposefully, with learning tools that support existing structures in the classroom.

In other words, tech doesn’t replace the teacher, but enhances their capabilities in teaching and administration. One of the more effective solutions seen recently is from a Microsoft Gold Partner, Insync. The company uses Microsoft's technology to make learning more efficient and students more engaged, in a number of different ways:

Devices and mobility

Insync uses Microsoft’s wide range of Windows devices to support different subjects and learning styles, giving educators more effective ways of delivering lessons. Devices functions such as touch-screen interactivity, digital ink, keyboard compatibility, voice integration and video allow students to sketch notes, type essays, conduct video lessons and do much more.

To help get lessons up and running, Microsoft also makes the management of all devices a straightforward process–via their Enterprise Mobility Suite, which provides secure single sign-on access to School services, applications, and safe social media.  Windows 10 also helps students and staff organise their schoolwork, with easy ways to snap apps in place, optimise their screen space, group items and create virtual desktops.

Additionally, students with special needs benefit most from Insync’s approach to the digital classroom. Learning is more accessible for physically challenged students thanks to speech recognition in Windows 10, while Skype provides real-time transcripts for the hearing impaired.

Learning solutions

Interactions between students for group projects don’t stop after school. They can continue online through Microsoft’s Office 365, which includes a range of cloud-based productivity tools that let students and staff members update essays, documents and spreadsheets at home, school or on the go.

And to help students excel in their projects or revision, schools can also register multiple third-party cloud applications on their Azure Active Directory, which provides single sign-on access to a portfolio of relevant resources online.

School administration

One of the biggest costs for schools comes from administration. Schools are always looking for ways to simplify registration, declutter paperwork, and improve course management. Staff simply don’t have the time or headspace to deal with these things and focus on their students’ wellbeing.

With Microsoft Azure, schools can opt into pay-as-you-go access to infrastructure and platform services. That saves them money by letting them scale up resources during busy times, such as enrolment and assessment periods, and scaling down during periods of low demand.

Furthermore, personal devices can also connect to mobile device management services, giving administration teams smarter reporting and more proactive security.

Security and Infrastructure

And of course, Microsoft’s integrated security options also provide schools with an impressive level of digital security and utility, negating the need to purchase more expensive solutions. Through Microsoft’s Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS), students and staff can access IT services with self-service password reset, application and device installations, and group management.

EMS also manages access to devices (including those consistently outside firewalls) and multifactor authentication capabilities. An integrated environment extends device management to small or remote schools and campuses.

Microsoft CityNext education solutions can even help schools operate more sustainably by using Internet of Things sensors to control lighting, heating and cooling and smartcards for secure access.

Education analytics and research

Before this, schools had next to no way to track areas of improvement for individual students, forcing teachers to rely on direct feedback or their own instincts on how effective their lessons were proving. With data analytics, however, teachers can track and evaluate different criteria across each of their students’ scores and results, helping them better identify and address any learning difficulties that may crop up.

On a school-wide level, Microsoft Power BI gives schools a 360-degree view of performance and operations, while easy-to-use reporting tools simplify access to visual data and improve report-sharing capabilities with stakeholders.

Solutions like Insync’s help schools to conduct lessons, manage administration and provide accountability like never before. To learn how your school can benefit from Microsoft-based education solutions, check out the resources listed below:

Download the whitepaper: 6 features of a Modern Australian School >

Download the value summary: Education in the Cloud >

Or get in touch with the education experts at Insync on 1300 652 207 or email [email protected].

Our mission at Microsoft is to equip and empower educators to shape and assure the success of every student. Any teacher can join our community and effort with free Office 365 Education, find affordable Windows devices and connect with others on the Educator Community for free training and classroom resources. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for our latest updates.

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Digital classrooms aren’t a distraction. Here’s why.

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