Digitising can change your business systems, processes, workflow, and culture, improving the way you operate. Since the start of Covid-19, many companies have switched to a more digitised way of working, from digitising wage payments to enabling guests to unlock hotel rooms from their phones. Digital technology is transforming every industry from retail to hospitality, and education should be no exception. While the pandemic has accelerated the need for schools to modernise their business practices, many have been hesitant to shift. However, they can't deny that tech hasn't improved the way they function and created an easier, safer and more efficient way to operate. Here are five reasons education facilities can benefit from going digital;
1. Ever-Evolving and New Technology
The new generation of parents deeply trust technology after growing up with tech most of their lives. Showing young parents that your school understands technology and can utilise it effectively will ultimately gain parents' trust quicker than those who don't. Don't underestimate the benefit of interactive screens, smart boards, and interactive hands-on play (ISandbox).Learning applications disguised as games and interactive videos are continually evolving and improving. Why not utilise the vast amount of knowledge that is now readily available at our fingertips to help teach our next generation. This kind of technology isn't intended to make jobs easier but to provide improved learning and development outcomes for children, and that is all something that we can agree on.
2. There Are Only So Many Hours in a Teacher’s Day
It's no secret that child-rearing is time-consuming, and if you have decided to become a teacher or a caretaker, you've picked a very demanding profession. By using technology and automating some of the most mindless and time-consuming tasks, education professionals and parents can putt heir energy into what really matters, the children. They deserve engaged care, but there are only so many hours in a day, and with caretakers managing a group of children, there is less one on one time available. Technology can help free up time and mental and emotional bandwidth for teachers and caretakers to focus on nurturing the children in their care while engaging parents in their development, even when they're at work.
3. Everyone is Doing it; Contactless Technology.
Contactless technology is taking on a new meaning during the pandemic, QR codes instead of menus, contactless sign-in, automated delivery etc. This new normal is changing the way schools look at staffing, seating, cleaning, and knowing the right length of time for children to wash their hands. Some safety features include digital fingerprint technology to enter the facility, online classes and online tuition, apps and curbside contactless GPS sign in and sign out, and parent apps such as StoryPark, Xplor Home, and Kinder loop that allows centres and school to directly communicate with parents. If your facility is still using the "pen and paper"approach, moving to an automated, contactless and paperless system could benefit your education professionals handling administrative tasks like billing, payments, payroll, timesheets and sign-ups and the sometimes complex logistics of drop off and pick up. Make it easier on admin, caretakers, teachers, and parents in this new post-pandemic world.
4. Automate, Automate, Automate.
Automating your process's such as payroll or compliance requirements can keep you updated on any recent policy changes, licensing, cleaning procedures, awards etc., that have been updated or mandated by the state. Saving time and significantly reducing the risk of missing important information that keeps you compliant and safe. There are many moving parts and pieces of any type of education or childcare facility. Having automated processes such as payroll, sign in and sign out, automatically sent end of term and semester updates can ease the workload off admin, giving them more time to support their teachers and vice versa.
5. Integrated Software
While many educational facilities have started to adopt some of these newer tech advances, the problem is that the tools they have implemented don't talk to each other. Embracing all of this new technology in your facility doesn't help or increase the effectiveness if you force staff to log in and out of a million different programs, defeating the purpose of assisting them and helping to free up their time by actually hindering it.Using the right technology and integrating can unite all your business stakeholders so that everyone from your teachers to your HR teams to your finance gurus and your first-time fathers, feels 100% supported by the work you do every day to make the next generation better than ever.
Schools, tuition facilities and childcare centres that want to position themselves for growth and navigate unforeseen challenges like those presented by the pandemic are pivoting to a more digital-based model. Meaning they can focus less on the operational side of their businesses and can spend more time cultivating environments that support the growth and development of the children in their care. Overall, that is the most crucial thing that drives the success of every education and child minding facility.
Comments