As with all things, time brings about changes in the way we live and operate. In the realm of education, adaptation and understanding societal changes are essential to the educational experience for both students and staff. This also includes adapting purchasing priorities for your school. We’ll look over some of the significant shifts in education over the past several years and how to consider what to do as school purchaser:
Online and Alternative Learning
Those in education during the pandemic are no strangers to online learning and new ways of teaching. Everyone had to adapt to video conferencing programs and virtual instructional materials to continue education during quarantine periods. Even after the pandemic, certain aspects of technology have stayed integrated in schools for ease of access, including virtual teaching days during snow days.
Technology has also provided new opportunities for learning besides for the influences from the pandemic. Makerspaces have grown in popularity, engaging students in the STEAM fields and hands-on learning and building. Augmented Reality glasses and Virtual Reality headsets allow students to visually and kinesthetically learn about concepts and try out different aspects of potential careers. Not to mention what effects AI will have on learning, each year brings about new possibilities for learning as technology develops and becomes available to a general audience.
To keep providing a high-quality education for your students, you’ll need to keep up with the latest technology trends. However, that can be easier said than done, with the potential for purchasing technology to be quite expensive, especially if you’re providing something student-wide. A good idea would be to develop a roadmap for purchasing technology over several years to spread out the cost. Develop a plan for the ideal learning environment, and work to implement that slowly over time. Can you add parts of the makerspace to slowly introduce the idea and figure out what the students who use the space most want? Might you introduce a new technology to a particular grade level, adding additional grades incrementally? With the plethora of vendors working to provide quality educational tools, you’ll have no shortage of those willing to work with you to best serve your needs over the timeline you decide.
Emotional Wellbeing
While school counselors and other mental health services have been available in schools for a while, more recently, there’s been an increase in demand and use. Statistics in 2022 indicated 69% of surveyed schools reported an increase in students using mental health services since the beginning of the pandemic. With both students and staff becoming increasingly stressed, the need for effective mental health services has never been greater.
To combat the ongoing mental health crisis, a number of organizations have developed tools to assist those in need. A coordination service can get those at your school the help they need that you may not be able to provide with your current staff. When you or a parent may not know what to do in a given situation, these organizations can help provide the services or information for more mental health services. The quest for better mental health doesn’t necessarily need to be just counseling. Even making sure you have the proper lighting or accessible furniture can contribute to better outcomes with emotional well-being. There are many ways to navigate how to purchase to contribute to positive mental health, so get feedback on what your school or district feels they’re missing.
Safety & Security
The rise of violence and security requirements have drastically changed the school experience in the United States. Statistics on how public schools have changed their security over the past decades show increased measures such as security cameras, staff wearing IDs, and other major changes. With the numerous tragedies over the years, security technology will continue to improve for efficiency and accessibility as long as these events continue to happen.
With these investments in security acting as protections for the health and life of your students, purchases in this field are essential. Whether to help with an active threat or as a deterrence against any potential threats, you’ll need a budget set aside for initial purchases and upgrades. As you determine what’s necessary, make sure you understand your problems before considering what product will solve the issue. Will you and your staff be able to use the technology properly? How quickly will it become outdated? These security purchases are very important, so know what you need to make the best decisions for the well-being of all who enter your school.
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Education has and will continue to change, especially during this time of new technologies and societal changes, such as social media and mental health practices. It can be alarming how much can change over five or ten years, let alone 50 years ago. With these being new frontiers and learning, CESA Purchasing and our vendor partners will continue to have your back with your purchasing decisions. If you’re looking for more guidance, try sourcing a quote with us today, or check out all our vendors to see which ones might be able to help you through your unique situation.
Check Out Our Vendor Partners!
Blocksi
Blocksi, a Google for Education partner, is dedicated to providing an innovative and powerful all-in-one cloud-based content filtering and classroom screen monitoring system with student safety alerts and prevention. Designed to filter content both in and out of school, monitor and manage student screens in the classroom and provide actionable analytics to detect trends, cyberbullying, and harmful behavior across GSuite managed Chromebooks and Windows OS devices.
Care Solace
With Care Solace, school systems ensure access to care to all members of their community — regardless of circumstances and insurance coverage. Our services expand on existing support structures, saving staff members 60+ communications per referral. We provide full case management with real-time updates on the progress of each referral and live data on the mental health needs of school communities.
CENTEGIX
CENTEGIX innovates technology to save and enrich lives. This is accomplished through our award-winning CrisisAlert™ solution which enables anyone to get help with the push of a button. CrisisAlert empowers confident human action in any incident – from the everyday to the extreme. Our easy-to-use solution allows staff and administrators to immediately handle any situation, anywhere on the premises. Our wearable badge ensures that staff never have to worry about finding help because help will always find them. When staff feel safe and secure, they are free to focus on being productive, every day.
Cook Center for Human Connection
The Cook Center for Human Connection brings together the best organizations, programs, and products to prevent suicide, provide mental health support, and enhance human connections essential for people to thrive.
The Cook Center developed ParentGuidance.org to empower parents. Too often, parents can’t find accurate information for the specific questions they have about parenting and mental health. ParentGuidance.org is a mental health resource that gives parents the tools to have important conversations at home.
Deledao
Deledao brings a new way to empower students and educators with the tools to make the internet a positive and safe experience. Founded in 2017 by Silicon Valley veterans concerned about their children's internet use, Deledao developed proprietary Artificial Intelligence to provide holistic web protection for children everywhere. Deledao released its first solution in 2019, and it's now helping schools across the United States, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.
Rassbach Communications
When your team has the ability to quickly, clearly, and easily communicate with each other time is saved and mistakes are avoided. With wireless communications systems the push of a button provides the notification, request for help, alert, or other communication instantly. There are no phone numbers or extensions to remember, no waiting for connections, and no limits to the numbers of individuals who can be included in the communication.