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Digital signage offers a variety of opportunities in an educational setting. A well-chosen and properly managed digital signage solution can reduce costs, save time and streamline communications. Educational materials can be made more exciting and engaging, while staff communication can be disseminated and updated in real time. Signage can also be used to display branding for the institution's sponsors. The education sector is a high adopter of digital signage, with more and more educational establishments taking advantage of this technology.
In the past, digital signage was a costly option that many schools could not afford. A video wall with an expensive PC to drive it wasn't something that could be installed in every classroom. With the advent of modern LED and OLED screen technology, though, digital signage hardware has become significantly cheaper. It's now possible to place screens in many different locations throughout a school or college building at a fraction of the cost of a single video wall just a few years ago. Existing screens and displays can be repurposed for digital signage simply by connecting them to your school's chosen content management system (CMS).
Software, too, has advanced a great deal. The TV software and CMS software required to drive digital signage is both more sophisticated and less expensive than it used to be, putting these solutions well within the budget of even small schools. Recent changes in teaching practices, with many classes now needing to be delivered online as well as in the classroom, make remote management more attractive. Imagine classes that can be delivered both over the Internet and to a video screen in the classroom, with all students benefiting from the same material.
Instead of requiring dedicated platforms, a great deal of the management software required for digital signage now runs on common devices. You can power multiple screens across different locations from a single web-based personal account opened on your tablet, using, for example, native Android software players.
The benefits of digital signage for educational establishments start outside the school. Outdoor digital signage can welcome visitors, promote the institution's values, provide information on upcoming events, and more. It's a great way to let people know about your school and its facilities, as well as boosting morale among the student body and their families.
Inside the lobby or reception area, you have an opportunity to impress with a large video wall. Here you could display information about the day's schedule, or a welcome message for visitors (for instance, on an open day). The reception area is also the ideal location for way-finding signage: screens showing directions to the venue for a particular event, or even an interactive map that people can use to find their way around using a touch-screen. The great thing about interactive signage is that you can set it up to send information to visitors' mobile devices. Directions, event details and other useful information can be passed on easily in this way.
In the halls and classrooms, digital signage can show all kind of useful information. It can show directions and indicate which classes are being held. It can also be used to display students' work and achievements. The student body will be heartened to see their academic accomplishments and sporting results displayed in the halls. Signage can also be used to display artwork and even compositions to showcase the institution's creativity.
The classroom is where digital signs can really shine. Instead of one small screen tucked away at the front of the class, digital signage gives you a large canvas to display whatever you need. It can display something as simple as details of the class being taught, or something as complex as an educational video. Graphs, illustrations, maps and other vital teaching material can be displayed in an easy-to-view form. Using tablet or phone applications, there's potential for interactivity and class participation. Even students who can't be present can participate via the school's online teaching software.
The advantages of digital signage in the classroom can hardly be overstated. With a screen as well as a conventional chalkboard, a teacher can present information in a way that's much more engaging and attention-grabbing. Digital signage removes the need to print out materials and spend time passing them around. Last-minute emendations or changes are easy, because with the modern digital signage software the information transmitted to the screen can be coordinated remotely, the same information can be relayed across different classrooms at the same time.
Digital signage in the classroom can be invaluable when exam time comes around. Information on the test, the time remaining, and any formulas or other data that the students will require during the test, can be displayed to the entire room at the time.
The cafeteria is another good place for digital screens. You can use it as a digital menu board, along with useful information such as allergens in foods, nutritional data, and whether or not a menu item is vegetarian or vegan. If a dish runs out or is added, this information can be changed quickly and easily. In other common areas, entertainment could be displayed for students to enjoy. Students could also benefit from information about extra-mural activities.
As well as communicating with students and visitors, digital signage can be invaluable for keeping staff informed. School-wide announcements can be made more accessible, especially for staff and students who are deaf or hard of hearing. This may be particularly important if there's an emergency, or a last-minute change of venue for an exam. Staff can be alerted to safety or security issues, given updates on schedule changes, or simply reminded about meetings and other key events.
With digital signage, your learning institution can become a more inviting and welcoming place. Students will be more engaged and included, visitors will be given a great impression and staff will have an easier time receiving and passing on information. Digital signage can improve every aspect of the learning experience, from finding one's way around a new school to taking that final exam. From displaying an animated map to your geography students or cheering on the sports team, digital signage can help your school excel.
Searching for the simple and cost-effective digital signage software to power the digital signs within your school facilities? Look DS helped dozens of educational institutions around the world to build an engaging inner communication channel without high expanses on the hardware infrastructure and deployment. It’s totally cloud-based and has a lot of free inbuilt apps inside, like Instagram or Twitter, which can help you to create your own social media streaming right to your digital screens.
