How to Facilitate Learning With Digital Signage for Education

Announcement

This article will provide specific strategies and examples for educators and administrators on effectively using digital signage to facilitate learning, enhance campus communication, and support a diverse educational environment.

Introduction

According to the Institute of Education Sciences, technology is having a positive impact on education and student learning with 33% of schools indicating that technology has helped students become more independent, learn at their own pace and collaborate with their peers. 

• 41% of schools say that students learn more actively when technology is involved.
• 27% of schools have found that the incorporation of technology in education has helped students to think critically. 
• Nearly 70% of schools incorporate technology for normal activities throughout the day.
• 80% of schools say that the overall quality of devices used for teaching is considered very good and that it's easy for students and teachers alike to use.

The growing role of digital technology in education applies to everyday tasks in the classroom, providing up-to-date information, facilitating the display of student-created content, and improving communication. Digital signage is uniquely positioned to adapt to the needs of schools by functioning as a learning and communication tool in educational settings. For that reason, it's important that schools and teachers learn how to facilitate learning with digital signage for education.

Customizing Digital Signage for Educational Needs

For a school, educator, or administrator, education digital signage presents an opportunity for targeted learning applications, interactive engagement, and support of diverse learning environments, among other benefits.

Targeted Learning Applications

Targeted learning applications can provide stimulating visuals and multimedia elements alongside interactive features that engage students more effectively. This higher engagement leads to better focus and an improved learning experience.

Content Tailoring

Content can be tailored to needs by incorporating different types of media, including:

• Images
• Animations
• Videos

All of this helps to accommodate different learning styles so that people who are auditory or visual learners can benefit from the same type of tailored content.

Additionally, digital signage is a platform that schools can use to share important information, real-time updates, or announcements about:

• School events
• Sporting activities
• Schedules
• News
• Holidays 

The more this information is regularly shared in the classroom and outside of the classroom, the more informed students and their parents can be.

Interactive Learning and Student Engagement

Digital signage in education can serve as interactive learning opportunities.

Interactive Features

Digital signage can be designed to incorporate interactive features like quizzes, presentations, and other versatile tools. Interactive features can provide problem-solving exercises, discussion posts, and places where individual and group activities can happen seamlessly.

Moreover, interactive features can promote academic achievement or school spirit by sharing achievements like a student of the month or recent honor roll recipients. 

Student-Created Content

Digital signage for education allows content to be customized to the needs of different students at various educational levels and across multiple subjects. It promotes increased learning experiences for students as they share student-created content. It also opens up students to the possibility of more creative content production rather than having to rely on things like threefold poster boards.

Older students can share student-created content on a digital screen, making it easier to report on an activity, share a digital book report, or present a video made for class.

Supporting Diverse Learning Environments

When educators utilize digital signage for education, it provides an opportunity to support diverse learning environments.

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features mean that all students can benefit from the diverse learning environments that schools can incorporate using digital signage. 

For example, students who have neurodivergent disorders might need the tactile engagement of a screen with different graphics much the same as students with physical disabilities might benefit from the graphic displays where they might otherwise not be able to hear content or benefit from the physical location of a digital sign much lower on the wall to meet with ADA standards.

Multilingual Support

Multilingual support means that dual language schools can capitalize on the many benefits provided by education digital signage much the same as ESL programs in other schools can provide more targeted learning environments for different groups.

Implementation Strategies and Challenges

There are some implementation strategies and challenges for educators who are trying to incorporate digital signage in education.

Planning and Budgeting

Planning and budgeting are paramount. Schools planning to incorporate digital signage would need to allocate the necessary budget for the display screens and any other connectivity requirements. Depending on the size of the school this could require a substantial allocation in order to ensure that every classroom can use digital signage. However, in cases where budget constraints are limiting, concessions can be made such that only those classes that really need it are prioritized, like ESL classes. 

Overcoming Technical Challenges 

There are several technical challenges that can manifest when trying to incorporate digital signage for education.

In some cases, teachers need to plan ahead to determine whether the mediums used will involve an internet connection. The reason for that is that 51% of schools when surveyed, reported that they had minor to moderate issues with internet connectivity on a reliable basis.

Similarly, nearly 50% of schools say that their teachers had to be given training on how to use computers and specific software, with 11% given significant training on how to use technology for learning. Additional training might be required in order to understand the technology behind incorporating digital signs and this would add to budgetary demands.

That said, there are ways to overcome implementation strategies and challenges for those schools and educators who wish to incorporate digital signage for education. For example, schools can consider hiring companies to manage integration or provide training support.

Conclusion

Digital signage offers several strategic benefits that enhance educational outcomes, improving connectivity for students, critical thinking, independence, and active engagement. All of this serves to improve retention and performance for students.

As technology continues to evolve, there is a place at the table for digital signage for education in the future.

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