In this article i will talk about collaborative classrooms with private cloud and how the modern classroom has changed over the years as technology moves forward.
It’s that time of year again and children are heading back to school, but for today’s children the classroom looks very different from when we were attending school. The modern classroom is no longer limited to the old chalk board and pencils, papers, and projects on poster boards.
Today’s pupils are creating and editing digital files across a variety of devices and schoolwork is now scattered across desktops, laptops, and tablets. even the Raspberry Pi is been used in ICT lessons to teach kids some basic coding skills. And iPads are been calibrated with interactive whiteboards
In the digital world students need a way to collaborate with peers on projects, research data, or sync documents in real time between group members; devices such as mobiles and laptops facilitate this. The Teachers also need easy ways to collect assignments or share class notes, without leaving any records vulnerable to data loss.
On the administration side of things, schools increasingly face the challenges of ever-tightening budgets, limited resources and personnel. They need to make legacy IT equipment work within the current technology landscape to ensure both students and faculty have constant access to data.
Further changes to classroom working are also likely to be brought about by the trend of BYOD (bring your own device). Like many organisations, schools are realising that mobile technology is not going away and that instead of been against the use of phones, it might be a technology worth taking advantage of. If pupils bring their own devices then it will save schools well-needed resources, but as with enterprise BYOD, this way of working will need facilitating in a way that ensures data is kept secure.
So, how can schools utilise the advances in technology whilst also protecting their highly sensitive data? As paper file systems are becoming cumbersome and out-dated, cloud storage might seem an attractive option, especially because this is how students are sharing their data outside of school. However, the convenience of public cloud comes at a price, once you hit the maximum storage allowance, the costs can really add up. In addition to the increased costs is the increased risk to data, a real concern for teachers, administrators and parents.
The private cloud
What schools, colleges and universities need instead, is a private cloud solution that can create a more collaborative environment in the classroom. A device that allows student’s mobile access, and teachers the ability to work from home securely and the ability for users to upload and share files both locally within the school and remotely at an offsite location.
The most important reason for opting for a private cloud solution is to regain control of your data. If you use a public cloud service then its important to remember your data isn’t 100 per cent secure. With a private cloud solution you own the server where your data is stored giving the IT department complete visibility and control over privacy and location.
The way to a more collaborative classroom
Every year schools, colleges and universities are changing and modernising. You never know what you are going to find when you walk back though that classroom door in September for the new school year.
From blackboards and chalk to electric whiteboards and now projector screens and laptops, everything is modernising and evolving. As technology advances so too does our way of working and learning.
The ability to sync and share files instantly and securely through a private cloud appliance, means that students can work in a way that is collaborative and productive whilst keeping their data secure. A lesson in data management that is well worth learning.
In the past i have worked for a leading IT Solutions & Managed service provider in Rotherham dealing with a range of IT platforms, such as - on site field engineering and remote support, dealing with all types of servers such as Virtual & Physical, Hyper–V, VMware, Windows server 2012 R2, SBS - Small Business Server 2008 2011, SQL, Terminal, Exchange, Active Directory, Group Policy, TCP, IP, DNS, DHCP, VPN, RDP, hybrid & cloud, Office 365 and managed security solutions such as Antivirus and Spam filtering.
Prior to this, I worked for Wickersley School & Sports College as the Lead IT & Network Technician and also supporting local primary schools with IT Support and engineering visits & Project Management, while also running my own company AJR Solutions, providing IT & Creative Solutions.
I’m very creative and have a huge passion for design and love how design can have a massive impact on a business image, presence and value also visit -
www.thelogocreative.co.uk | www.ajr-designs.co.uk | www.rotherhamwebdesign.co.uk
Also part of the AJR Solutions Group of businesses.