The Crucial Role of Technology Partnerships: Helping Schools Flourish

The educational landscape has undergone a profound transformation. Classrooms, once adorned with traditional teaching tools, have evolved into digital hubs where connectivity is no longer a luxury but a fundamental requirement. In fact, recent studies highlight the staggering growth of connected devices. Parks Associates, an IoT market research consulting firm, revealed the number of connected devices per US internet household has increased from 8 devices in 2015 to 17 in 2023.  By 2025, more than half of all educational institutions will have implemented a complete software as a service (SaaS) cloud model.

Modern Technology Challenges

During the pandemic, schools went from leveling up to meet digital demand to systemic reliance on various forms of cloud-based software solutions.  Since then, the surge in screen time among children globally underscores the need for educational institutions to collaborate with technology partners to keep pace with the growing digital demand. Modern conveniences like digital devices are powerful tools that support and transform education in positive ways, however, these tools also pose the following challenges for educators, including:

Overcoming the Digital Divide

New technology and workflows have outpaced efforts to overcome educational inequality. To advance digital inclusion and collaboration, school districts have acquired laptops, interactive whiteboards, document systems, and  mobile hot spots while optimizing print management solutions. Integrating digital platforms and continually refreshing technology with the latest innovation can enhance teaching and help schools advance their knowledge and skills in technology.

Finding the Right Tech Stack

Holding stakeholders accountable for technology and performance outcomes is tricky when there’s no one-size-fits-all model in education. Unsanctioned purchasing, competing agendas, and lack of attention can impede growth and lead to redundancy, underutilization and wasteful spending.

To compound this, a mix of slow, outdated, and underperforming tech can overload schools trying to juxtapose retro and future workflows. Blending the right mix of products and services can introduce useful tools, resources, and expertise into educational workflows. Additionally, stronger collaboration among stakeholders and technology partners can help schools make the business of learning easier, better, faster and safer.

The Data Security Conundrum

In the not-so-distant future, when humans become immune to cyber threats and data breaches, the guardians protecting our privacy will be able to pass our personal data from one system to another with ease and finesse. Until then, schools are obligated to implement cybersecurity protocols to secure the sensitive information they are entrusted to protect.

According to Comparitech, schools have experienced 2,691 data breaches, affecting 31,988,437 individual records since 2005.  Weak passwords, outdated software, unvetted third party applications, inadequate training, lack of encryption, social engineering and physical breaches are all common vulnerabilities. With hacking and ransomware attacks on the rise, it’s open season for cybercrime. Threat protection for confidential data, device access, and network safeguards can help schools stay ahead of cyber threats.

Leveraging the Power of Partnerships

Amidst these challenges, the role of technology partnerships emerges as a linchpin for helping schools flourish. As educational technology continues to evolve, so does the power of partnerships. The need for data-driven decision-making and flexible solutions becomes paramount. It's not just about purchasing technology; it's about cultivating an interoperable tech landscape that enhances the teaching and learning experience.

Purchasing technology is only the first step. Collaborating with technology partners can unlock many benefits, like reforming administrative processes with useful tools, resources, expertise, and integration.  From optimizing technology suites to cost-effective infrastructure, these partnerships can empower schools to make the most of limited resources and budget constraints. Technology providers can offer value-added relationships providing tools and services like data security, classroom technology, ongoing training, and project support, to help schools flourish.

Educational institutions that embrace strategic partnerships with technology providers position themselves at the forefront of educational innovation. These partnerships are not only transactional, but also holistic relationships that contribute to the development of education in the digital age and beyond. By navigating the complexities of technology integration with the support of dedicated partners, schools can truly prepare for a future shaped by the advancements of technology.