Delivering remote learning solutions for everywhere learning

K-12 schools must adapt fast to new ways of learning, connecting students, and communicating with staff and parents.

As schools across Australia prepare to shift to online learning, many schools need to make quick decisions to keep students learning and connected in a secure space. It's an opportunity to diversify learning delivery platforms — to screen-to-screen learning and beyond.

Here’s some of the ways our K-12 customers are keeping learning going in challenging times — and what to consider when you’re making fast tech decisions.

Teacher at home, students at home — connecting online

Some schools will keep the traditional school day going — but with both students and teachers at home. Empower your students with virtual learning technology that allows them to learn from any location, connect with teachers and access learning systems and materials. How to make it work:

• set up a Virtual Classroom - look for user-friendly cloud video conferencing software that’s simple to install and use — like the Unified Communications Service Advanced (UCSA) distance learning solution.
• limitless attendance — space for everyone in online classrooms
• visual interaction — the class needs to see the teacher, and the teacher needs to see the class
  
  Troubleshooting: If your teachers or students are working with online conferencing programs, upload speeds on either side can affect the quality of the video connection. Encourage everyone to check their internet plans so there’s enough bandwidth to stay connected.

Teacher in (empty) classroom, students at home — connecting online

Other schools may try to keep teachers in their usual spaces while students at home join online classrooms. It gives teachers access to hands-on materials, relies less on teacher’s at-home tech capabilities, and provides students with the reassurance of their familiar teacher in their usual learning setting. How to make it work:

• look for a quick start option like the Interactive Collaboration Hub — simple, fast, wireless presentation set up
• virtual training for teachers on using new systems — keep it simple and have tech support on hand
• connect the Collaboration Hub to your video conferencing software — make the most of the 65” screen for rich, interactive learning

Teacher at home, students at home — printed educational materials

Not everything can be sent electronically, and not every student will have access to the tech to keep up. That’s where your print devices come in. If your school already has access to rapid, high quality and affordable printing options, you can act quickly to get hard copies in the post. Schools may also need to move fast to equip their teachers with home devices to print home learning packs. How to make it work: 

• talk to your printing partner about a short-term scale-up — don’t lock yourself into an upgraded plan you might not need
• ensure printing, packaging and posting of materials is in keeping with health and safety protocols
• be consistent so new materials are arriving regularly to complement online learning modules

Standing with schools

We’re standing with all K-12 schools to face the new challenges of 2020. It’s important that connection and collaboration stay part of our curriculum — wherever our teachers and our students are. Online tools can make remote learning a reality, but don’t assume every student will have the internet, devices or support at home to keep up. Diversify your delivery and learning choices to keep students connected and ready for a confident future.