Educators today have a wealth of digital teaching tools at their disposal, but that has become something of a double-edged sword. While teachers can use the tools to enhance the classroom experience in many exciting ways, maintaining a working knowledge of multiple rapidly evolving technologies can become exasperating.
Recent surveys suggest that many K-12 teachers are suffering from technology overload. More than half of incoming teachers say they lack sufficient training with many of the digital tools being used in the classroom today, according to a new report from the nonprofit International Society for Technology in Education.
It’s no wonder many feel overwhelmed. Researchers say K-12 teachers use an average of 148 different ed tech tools, including videoconferencing tools, file-sharing services and collaborative workspaces such as interactive whiteboards. Voice communication, email, text messaging, calendaring and scheduling applications, and online learning platforms are also elements of technology-rich classroom environments.
Juggling all of these technologies and their different features, interfaces and capabilities requires a lot of time and can divert educators’ focus from their students’ needs. It’s why more than two-thirds of educators surveyed by the Center for Digital Education say they need more integrated technology platforms.
Unified communications (UC) solutions fit the bill, integrating various communication and collaboration tools through one user-friendly interface. Here are just a few of the ways UC solutions help teachers support their students:
Seamless Connectivity
Switching between voice, video, instant messaging and email from within a single interface makes it easier for teachers to connect with students, parents, administrators and other educators. Teachers can use UC to conduct virtual classes, coordinate with parents for updates on student progress or collaborate with fellow educators on curriculum development.
More Flexibility
With UC, teachers can work from anywhere as long as they have an Internet connection. This flexibility is particularly valuable during remote learning situations or when teachers need to collaborate with peers from different locations.
Increased Collaboration
Teachers can use UC to share lesson plans, conduct virtual meetings and brainstorm ideas with other educators, administrators and support staff. This is particularly helpful when working with teachers, parents and special education staff to develop individualized education plans (IEPs) for special-needs students.
Better Parent-Teacher Partnerships
With UC, teachers can schedule virtual parent-teacher conferences, share timely updates on a student’s progress and address any concerns promptly. This level of communication not only keeps parents informed but also empowers them to be active participants in their child’s education.
Data-Driven Insights
Teachers can use UC’s analytics and reporting features to gather valuable data on student performance, track progress and identify areas where additional support is needed. For example, if analysis shows that a particular group of students is struggling with a specific concept, teachers can use UC tools to schedule targeted interventions or provide additional resources.
Increased Security
UC significantly enhances school security by enabling instant communication among faculty, staff, administrators and security personnel through multiple communication channels. UC can also integrate with security systems such as surveillance cameras and access control systems.
The Importance of the Right Platform
By integrating essential communication and collaboration tools in a single platform, UC can streamline the K-12 technology stack and help teachers work more efficiently. However, selecting a solution is a significant decision that can have far-reaching impacts on communication, collaboration and overall educational outcomes.
We recommend Mitel due to their extensive portfolio of solutions designed specifically to address the communication, collaboration and security requirements of K-12 schools. Mitel’s solutions for education customers include public cloud, private cloud and onsite communications systems, as well as contact center, collaboration and mass notification applications, business phones, devices and accessories. Contact us to learn more.
