Covering technology, cybersecurity, and policy decisions for K-12 school districts. Practical guidance for district IT leaders navigating the evolving EdTech landscape.

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Classroom Technology

7 Tips for Using Interactive Displays in the Classroom

Best practices for getting the most out of interactive whiteboards and display technology in your schools.

May 5, 2015
EdTech

A Guide to Distance Learning for K-12

How districts are building distance learning programs with video conferencing, LMS platforms, and digital content.

October 20, 2014
Safety & Security

5 Types of Emergency Communication Tools to Keep Your School Safe

From mass notification systems to mobile alerts, the tools districts need for emergency preparedness.

September 3, 2014
Mobile Learning

The Mobile Learning Debate: BYOD vs. District-Provided Devices

Weighing the pros and cons of bring-your-own-device programs against district-issued 1:1 initiatives.

February 12, 2014
Case Study

Inside One District's Decision to Go BYOD

A district shares its BYOD implementation journey, from planning through rollout and lessons learned.

December 10, 2013
Policy & Compliance

Creating an Acceptable Use Policy for Mobile Learning

Essential guidance for drafting AUP policies that address BYOD, CIPA compliance, and student safety.

September 15, 2013
EdTech

The Classrooms of Tomorrow Are in Your Browser

How browser-based learning platforms and Chromebooks are reshaping the K-12 technology landscape.

November 8, 2013
EdTech

Games for Education: How and Where to Find Them

A guide to game-based learning resources and platforms that bring engagement to the classroom.

August 20, 2013
Apps & Tools

10 Educational Tools Every Teacher Should Know About

Essential EdTech tools for presentation, assessment, collaboration, and classroom management.

June 15, 2013
Case Study

Union County Talks Going 1:1 and Shares Tips

How Union County School District rolled out a 1:1 device program and what other districts can learn.

May 14, 2013
Devices

3 Reasons Why iPads Beat Out Laptops in K-12

Why many districts are choosing tablets over traditional laptops for student device programs.

April 18, 2013
Mobile Learning

BYOD: The Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Network security, content filtering, device management, and equity - the real challenges of BYOD in schools.

March 22, 2013
Apps & Tools

25 Best Apps for the K-12 Classroom

A curated collection of educational apps spanning subjects from math to reading to science.

January 10, 2013
Classroom Technology

SMART Technologies Looks to Replace the Dry Erase Board

The launch of SMART's latest interactive display and what it means for classroom technology.

March 8, 2012
EdTech

Apple's Textbook Publishing Wrecking Ball

How iBooks Author and Apple's education push could reshape K-12 textbook publishing.

January 25, 2012

Valley Christian High School (Arizona)

Arizona’s top christian high school, Valley Christian High School (VCHS), recently launched a one-to-one technology program that goes beyond simply providing students with an iPad. The program, which included digital signage implementation, is changing the way faculty instruct and the way students learn, collaborate and engage with their peers and faculty.

The school is using digital signage for K-12 inside and outside classrooms. In the class, the screens show educational programming and enhance previously mundane presentations with visual content, such as animations or video.

Outside the classroom, K-12 digital signage is de-cluttering VCHS’ hallways by getting rid of bulletin boards and posters. It is enabling school admins to display multiple messages at the same time. The screens can give equal publicity to the school’s community service project, upcoming football game and PTO meetings.

Digital signage also gives the school a lot of flexibility. From a centralized location, the digital signs can be customized with content relevant for the school day, for prospective family events or for athletic events. This allows the school to reach their targeted audiences with content that is relevant to their experience on the campus.

Marsing School District (Idaho)

Idaho’s Marsing School District, has a strong commitment to creating healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. Their mission? To educate all students to lead productive, satisfying and responsible lives, now and in the future.

Marsing School District participated in the HealthierUS School Challenge, part of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! campaign, and were awarded the silver medal.

As part of their commitment to raise a healthier generation of kids, the school district installed digital menu boards in the cafeteria. They’re leveraging the vibrant simulations and imagery in K-12 digital signage to draw the students’ attention to their messages about healthy food choices.

Displaying nutritional facts like calories, fat grams and protein makes students aware of their dietary intake. This improves the kids’ participation in healthier choices while decreasing waste. Healthy food entrees are also being promoted on the screens. Highlighting these options using bold colors, video and imagery motivates students to pick healthy options over pizzas or burgers.

Capital School District (Delaware)

Capital School District wanted a communications solution that would incorporate these media in their messaging, in order to draw and keep the attention of students.

Digital signage proved to be effective in cutting through the paper clutter, and getting through to their tech-savvy students. The digital signs in the school display announcements, school news such as athletic achievements, events such as awards ceremonies, and building directories.

The displays quickly became information hubs, one of the few places students could look to for quick access to up-to-date information.

Mike Kilian is the Director of Business Development at Mvix, a VA digital signage company providing end-to-end digital signage solutions that include a free cloud-based CMS. A Digital Signage Certified Expert (DSCE), Mike has worked closely with schools for over 5 years to master the formula for successful design, deployment, and ROI for digital signage rollouts. As a millennial, he provides a unique perspective to the digital signage world.

Digital signage for K-12 also proved to be cost-effective for Capital School District. Budgets are tightening so schools are looking to invest in solutions with a dual purpose. Digital signage gave the district a lot of digital real estate. Administrators can display multiple messages on the same screen at the same time.

The district can also use multiple screens in the same digital signage network for different purposes. Screens in the cafeteria are being used as menu boards, screens in lobby are being used as building directories and for wayfinding, and screens in the hallways are being used as announcement boards. In the event of an emergency, all the screens automatically display emergency alerts and safety instructions.

With students who are interested in what’s vibrant and dynamic, K-12 digital signage in Capital School District is continuing to provide a critical link between administrators and the student body and faculty.

Fremont School District (Michigan)

In late 2012, Fremont School District, serving two high schools, one middle school and two elementary schools, was going through some major updates. With the addition of a new high school, they were looking for technologies that would improve operational efficiency, especially in the cafeterias.

They replaced the static menus in the cafeteria with digital signage for K-12 to improve the flow of traffic during lunch.

The school started seeing the ROO of K-12 digital signage in just 6 months.

Both staff and students noticed and appreciated the benefits of the digital signs in the cafeteria. The digital menu boards clearly displayed food choices and nutritional information, as well as the station each meal was being served at. Lines moved faster and students had more time to eat.

The digital signage solution also improved operational efficiency. During the pilot, the district uploaded a 40-day lunch menu rotation in under an hour. And when they needed to make changes in the menu to reflect available inventory, all it took was a few clicks.

Digital signage for K-12 gave the school district more menu flexibility, improved lunchtime traffic, and gave the new high school a sharper look.

The district plans to add a student notification and emergency messaging system to the digital signage network. The new system will allow faster and efficient communication among teachers, staff and students with improved engagement.




Latest Resource

An Educator’s Guide to Podcasting at School
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