The Distance Learning Solution You Need For Grade-A Education

Technology today is more than just a new way to engage students. Students have grown up as digital natives. They’ve had smartphones, computers, and the internet as part of their entire life. Adding technology in the classroom has become an expectation for students and parents. Now with the rapid movement towards remote learning and distance learning due to COVID-19, this technology has become crucial to deliver a high-quality educational experience.

Whether you’re offering distance learning, blended learning, or moving to online fulltime, having the right technology provides a host of benefits.

Benefits of Technology in Teaching and Learning

SOURCE: US Department of Education

• Expands course offerings, experience, and learning materials
• Builds 21st Century skills
• Improves engagement and motivation
• Accelerates learning

It’s also been shown to reduce the costs associated with instructional material by linking teachers and students to professional content, resources, and systems. It reduces the administrative burden on educators and has been demonstrated to produce higher student outcomes and results in fewer absences.

Distance learning will provide a different educational experience than most teachers are used to, but it also provides greater flexibility using the technology for remote instruction.

1. Flexibility

Students can choose when, where, and how they learn. It provides more options without ignoring student accountability. Live class instruction, video conferencing, recorded videos, and work at your own pace all possible.

In a traditional classroom, teachers must provide instruction that’s based on average learning styles. This may leave some students feeling unchallenged and others not capable of handling the pace. With technology, lessons can be adapted to challenge advanced students and provide additional (or even one on one) instructions for students that need help.

2. Accessibility

Distance learning can give every student access to education in the environment they believe is most effective. It also remains accessible for students that may be ill or facing absences from school due to inclement weather or transportation problems.

3. Accountability

The electronic format makes it much easier for students to track assignments. Rather than having to remember due dates or write them down in journals that easily get lost or overlooked, assignments and deadlines are available with the click of a mouse. This also gives parents an easier way to track grades and monitor student learning.

4. Engagement

Today’s students exist in a tech-centric world. Video games, smartphones, social media, videos, and technology is part of their everyday experience. By incorporating some of the same experiences into the learning environment, it can make education more engaging.

5. Automated

Automation can take some of the burdens off of teachers. For many lessons, grading can be handled by automation. This gives teachers a break and can provide instant feedback for students. This reinforces learning lessons.

6. Preparedness

When COVID-19 sent students home, educators had to scramble to pull together the hardware and technology needed for distance learning. Parents may have been forgiving in the early stages as everyone worked together to find solutions. With time to prepare, parents are less forgiving now and expect education leaders to have figured out the solutions. Having the tech and tools available now will make it significantly easier to deploy remote learning in the future if it becomes necessary.

In the short-term, distance learning may be necessary for schools dealing with the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Over time, the same technology that allows for remote classrooms will also play an important part in everyday education. It allows for additional opportunities to increase student learning and engagement, such as augmented reality or virtual simulations.

The Distance Learning Solution You Need for Grade-A Education

Some school districts have made the mistake of trying to piece together a technology solution using tools they’ve found online or expecting teachers to manage the technology on their own. A better solution is one that has the tools teachers need to manage their classroom and IT administrators need to manage the fleet of devices.

VISO Mobile Device Management MDM/EMM platform gives IT team members the ability to manage every device, including updates, applications, and policies. It also allows for remote troubleshooting so students or teachers can get immediate help. This saves on downtime, administrative costs, and frustration.

VISO TeacherView provides a robust toolset for educators. It creates a virtual classroom that emulates a traditional classroom. With integrated tools that allow teachers to see students, monitor work, and foster collaboration in real-time. Built-in functionality such as quizzes, whiteboard tools, and remote 1:1 conversation allow for customization and better student engagement.

Cloud-based solutions are available which allows educators and IT professionals to work from anywhere. Get a free trial of VISO MDM or a free demo of VISO TeacherView.