Can AV Integrators Save Higher-Ed?
Although the expectations for Higher Education have changed, the necessity for AV in the classroom is stronger than ever.
Educational institutions (especially Higher Ed) require a diverse mix of technologies, ranging from interactive whiteboards and displays, to BYOD solutions. In fact, students are expecting more technology to be available giving them greater flexibility to learn. Without them, students are less engaged.
Should Universities be Doing More to Support Hybrid Learning?
Based on a recent study from Sony, 92% of higher education decision makers believe that their institutions should be doing more to aid students, giving them new ways to learn. The key ingredient is technology that supports alternative ways to learn.
Another highlight from the study suggests almost half of the students surveyed believe that the current IT infrastructure at their School/University doesn’t provide a high-quality experience for remote learning, and hybrid learning. To go even further, only a third of Education IT Decision Makers consider an investment in distance learning technologies to be a high priority.
This disparity in priorities between students and decision makers is a classic example of failing to address the needs of the end-user.
In fact, it causes all sorts of other issues. 78% of students have been forced to make their own investments in technology to support hybrid and remote learning. Not only does this raise concerns for students who may have trouble investing in this type of technology, but they may not have the financial support from their parents to gain access to the technologies that they need to learn.
What are Institutions going to do?
Although the IT Decision Makers at these institutions agree on the fact that students need more support, it doesn’t seem like any changes are going to be made soon. These details are especially telling when over three quarters of students mention AV technology (smart displays, projectors, BYOD) as an essential part of their learning process regardless of their learning style.
And what about Educators?
The last perspective is that of the educator. Keeping students engaged in a hybrid learning environment, or simply, a traditional classroom environment can be challenging without media. Especially when students have returned to the classroom. If students are lacking the necessary technology to keep them engaged, the challenge falls on the educators.
What Can AV Integrators do for Higher Ed?
We believe that whether it’s in the classroom or in a corporate-setting, the end users should have the most influence on the IT decision makers. Without the necessary engagement, the IT Decision Makers risk poor performance. What will happen in the long run? Parents complain because their kids are not as engaged as they used to be, the educator gets blamed even though they are trying their hardest but students are so used to engaging media? Universities with a bigger IT budget attract more students (and transfers) because students know that they can received a better educational experience?
AV technology has been promoted to being an essential part of education. Especially now that we are seeing numerous universities identify the need for this investment.
How VisionPoint Can Help
As AV integrators with over a decade of experience, we have taken an agnostic approach, identifying the exact needs of the individuals who will be using AV technologies on a day-to-day basis. Without understanding their needs, how can you justify the investment in technology? We make sure that our designs are built for the end user, proposing only right-fit technologies.
Read more about the issue here:
