The COVID-19 pandemic has permanently affected the way in which most modern institutions are required to operate, though it’s the edtech market that’s arguably seen the most drastic adoption of smart technology in recent years, in part due to an increased demand for remote learning options.
Data from the National Center for Education Statistics found that during 2020, around 11.8 million students were enrolled in at least one distance education course, with supporting data indicating almost 70% of students find online learning as good or better than in-person classes. From this information, it’s clear the demand for remote learning across the US is expected to remain high.
With so many institutions successfully adopting some degree of smart technology, the benefits that these tools bring are beginning to be better understood by the education community. With this in mind, today we’ll be discussing 4 technology trends that are modernizing the Edtech market in 2022.
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Remote learning and cybersecurity
With around one third of the US’s largest school districts expected to continue offering remote learning beyond 2022, many of the advanced cybersecurity measures put in place during the pandemic are set to become more widespread. VPNs in particular have proved essential to the secure implementation of online learning services over the last few years, as without such tools, students can be left vulnerable to the threats posed by online hackers and scammers.
By connecting to remote classes via a VPN, both students and teachers are able to mask their identity to protect their private data while communicating, offering an additional layer of security not present when surfing the web via a standard traceable network. Modern VPNs are designed to encrypt data in transit between both ends of a connection, nullifying common cyber threats without the need for constant monitoring.
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has reported an increase in malicious activity directed against K-12 educational institutions, proving the importance of supporting VPNs with wider cybersecurity measures. These considerations primarily include SaaS solutions designed to prevent malware, ransomware and phishing attempts from affecting remote students.
As it’s easier for educators to keep track of and maintain one service rather than relying on the efficacy of separate anti-virus solutions, VPNs with added antivirus features continue to be popular in the edtech market, especially when installed on verified and secured devices issued by educators.
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How access control improves campus security
The modernization of the edtech industry is, of course, not limited only to the offering of more robust online learning programs. Similar to recent trends observed in the business world, studies show that around 82% of students would like the option to continue engaging in hybrid learning programs, a system that can provide a combination of in-person and remote classes to better suit their individual needs.
This proposition may provide students with the flexibility they desire in their studies, though the implementation of such programs Is destined to change the way campus security operates. With so many students operating on vastly different schedules, a more robust campus security system is required to ensure the safety of staff and students alike.
The solution to this situation lies in advanced access control, allowing campus security teams to automate much of their authorization procedures to ensure the safety and security of the site on a 24/7 basis. This is why we see more security cameras for schools equipped with advanced motion detection, authorization and incident response automation features, designed to both deter criminal behavior and provide visual verification to only allow authorized students entry to secure locations.
Modern IP security cameras can be integrated with a campus’ existing access control systems, providing security teams with a live video feed that can be viewed remotely. When leveraged with door access and other identity verification tools such as key cards and fobs, these systems are able to strengthen campus security systems and deter unauthorized persons from entering the premises.
The increased availability of digital learning resources
Another hurdle for modern educators to navigate comes in the form of online learning resources, more specifically the ability to provide the same quality of teaching remotely as is possible during in-person classes. Not only are schools required to stand out from each other in a market open to students located around the country, but the quality of their remote learning courses must be on par with those offered on campus.
This consideration has helped to drastically improve many institutions’ bank of digital learning resources, improving upon often outdated video class formats and online forums in order to produce interactive digital teaching tools and far more creative resources designed to engage students remotely.
Advanced digital learning resources include interactive applications used to actively involve students in their learning, including dynamic modeling and simulation tools that can demonstrate complex scientific principles, virtual worlds that can place students in an immersive learning environment and AI assisted translation and articulation software designed to better demonstrate the intricacies of languages.
Above all, students have been found to respond best to interactive and creative digital learning resources, and when implemented intelligently, as many as 73% of students may prefer engaging with digital learning resources when compared to in-person alternatives.
How cloud computing is modernizing institutions
Many of the advancements made in remote learning and online education would simply not be possible without the implementation of modern cloud computing. The infrastructure developed around this resource allows for students across the country to access digital learning resources from thousands of miles away, without placing significant strain on physical servers and storage devices.
Cloud-based software makes it possible to host virtual classrooms, allows for important and personal data to be safely stored and securely encrypted in a unified virtual environment and even benefits administration procedures by enabling students to enroll in and contribute to classes virtually.
A further benefit to cloud-based operations is that these solutions provide unmatched scalability, with institutions able to procedurally manage an increasing number of students as well as handle the usage peaks and traffic spikes often seen during assignment deadlines and registration days.
Cloud-based solutions are also backed by many schools’ IT teams. 55% of the education sector’s IT staff agree that existing budgets are not enough to cover the cost of updating legacy systems, though by implementing cloud-based solutions, the costs associated with server upkeep and maintenance can be removed, allowing schools to better manage budgets and create a more cost-effective system.
Final thoughts
The edtech market has been in need of modernization for quite some time, and though it seems the catalyst for these improvements may have been through the necessities posed by the pandemic, the benefits of implementing modernized technology have become much clearer in the last few years.
By offering more remote learning options, educational institutions have been able to engage with and improve the prospects of many more students, not only in the US but across the world. This growth would not have been possible without the successful implementation of modern edtech solutions both improving the delivery of online courses and the security needed to keep staff and students safe.
The measurable improvements made by technologies such as VPNs, advanced access control and cloud-computing appear instrumental in the progression of educational institutions, indicating the likelihood that these advancements are set to become much more widespread in the coming years.
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