Keeping EdTech tools connected in an evolving learning environment

Will Liu, Managing Director, TP-Link UK

Will Liu, Managing Director, TP-Link UK

As one of the first sectors to be called back, education has been hit by continuous disruption and uncertainty. There is no teacher who hasn’t experienced some form of ‘hybrid’ learning and for many, it has become a permanent fixture. For lots of us, this represents opportunity, but there are wider social implications that must be addressed when delivering education digitally.

Achieving digital inclusion

In remote or blended learning the need for digital access causes increasing challenges.

A report released by the British Academy suggested that students with lower socioeconomic backgrounds are left an average of 18 months behind their peers by GCSE age. Ofcom reports that one fifth of UK children did not always have access to a device for online learning last year. While we’re seeing progress in addressing the need for digital inclusion, there is still a long way to go in order to make hybrid learning for everyone.

Schools need to ensure connectivity and enhanced networks meet the demand of more sophisticated tech across their sites, whilst giving students access to the tools that will allow them to learn outside the classroom. The good news? The rapid shift to remote education paved the way for a whole host of EdTech innovation, making online learning more interactive and accessible.

Rise of the virtual classroom

To provide the best quality teaching and learning environment, many schools have standardised the use of virtual tools such as Google Classroom accessed via Chromebooks. This, for many, has been a lifeline in teaching and peer to peer engagement for students.

Managing timetables, curriculums and homework tasks across multiple learning locations is no easy feat and this is where dedicated student and learning management systems (LMS) come into their own. Integrated management systems offer data consistency which can be updated live. It's safe to say that systems like this will bring much-needed visibility, transparency and structure for educators and learners, and will long continue on their upward trajectory.

Bridging the connectivity gap

Networks need sufficient capacity and administrators need the tools to manage itin real-time to prevent bottlenecks and unnecessary disruption in the classroom. What’s more, institutions are no longer concerned with just their own networks, but must also be mindful of the potential risks associated with students accessing school portals on their home WiFi network.

When education institutions are assessing whether their network is ready for digital learning, there are some key elements that will help them achieve this:

• In the pre-installation stage, make the most of site surveys and heat map data to identify any potential issues, create an accurate diagnosis on how to install the best networks for their requirements

• Ensure centralised management so each site has the same configuration.,teachers frequently have to move between sites therefore look to simplify this process so they can focus on teaching

• Create a guest portal for visitors and regular clubs/societies

• Ensure that there are no ongoing licence fees

• Source high-quality manufacturer support to ensure the best value, high performance solution

As a result, technologies like WiFi 6 are increasingly coming into their own, with benefits like the ability to support higher density clients, meaning that educational spaces can have more devices connecting to an individual access point at any one time.

These faster speeds will prove vital to WiFi experiences, contributing to better performance and pupil interactions, whilst reducing the number of access points organisations need to service more devices. When a class takes to their tablets or laptops to complete e-learning tasks, students won’t be held back by unstable connectivity or slow WiFi speeds, and can achieve their full potential.