Over 1.6 billion children across the globe found themselves unexpectedly studying from home this year. Teaching methods were transformed overnight and everyone became increasingly reliant on technology.
As the gradual return to face-to-face learning begins, obtaining ClassroomCare™ is at the fore for many academics, but what can you do to protect your classroom? We take a close look at the technology available on the market now, which is helping to keep classrooms safe.
Antibacterial digital display technology
Interactive touch screens are now commonly found in the classroom, but with concerns over cross-contamination and incorrect cleaning practices, the convenience of using the touch function becomes less appealing to teachers. Therefore, using a screen with an integrated antibacterial surface is – now more than ever – imperative to reduce the spread of germs.
Germs, which are microorganisms, can live on the surface of glass for up to 10 days and, if left, can result in the spread of disease. To reduce or kill germs, silver nano-ionic particles, similarly found in surgical face masks, food containers, water filters and medical devices, are embedded into the screen surface to break down and absorb any germs found on the display.
There are few technology manufacturers in the world incorporating a nano-silver process into its products, as it requires extensive testing and a unique process to guarantee the longevity of the formula.
BenQ has, however, been developing a proprietary process since 2017 which is certified against the two most-common types of bacteria found in education environments, E. coli and S. aureus. Releasing its third generation of its TUV-certified antibacterial technology this year, it’s a fail-safe solution for protecting the wellbeing of both students and teachers.
Eye-care technologies
Being over exposed to blue light from extended periods of screen time has been proven to cause macular degeneration, as too much exposure causes damage to the light sensitive cells in the eye’s macula.
In addition to this, digital displays produce flickering. Although it’s not visible to the naked eye, flickering occurs 5.8 millon times across a standard eight hour working day and often impacts learning and productivity by leaving students feeling fatigue, with headaches or blurred vision. Furthermore, brightness levels and ambient light can cause strain on the eyes.
With these elements in mind, it’s important to consider Low Blue Light, Flicker Free and Brightness Intelligent technologies. Factoring these into your screen choice will provide the most comfortable viewing experience possible. BenQ incorporates its Eye-Care solution, which encapsulates all of these technologies into its displays to reduce the exposure.
How important is software?
While hardware, or at least technologies that have a physical impact on us, are the first aspects we look to, software is becoming increasingly important for assisting with the wellbeing of individuals. Below we lay out programs which boost efficiency, whilst adhering to social distancing measures.
The Cloud
Remote learning has prompted an increase in access to the Cloud, with over 94% of facilities accessing it day-to-day. Therefore, looking at ways in which technology can store information without requiring a server or memory space, will provide huge advantages when transitioning between remote and in-person teaching.
Gathering lesson content across a multitude of sources stored in the cloud and gaining access from a singular display helps education establishments make the most of their teaching resources. No matter where the teacher is presenting the lesson from whether a normal classroom, from home, the library or school hall, access to their important lesson materials via the Cloud is secure and fast.
Account Management Systems (AMS) and Device Management Solutions (DMS) form network ecosystems by combining hardware and software in one solution. Utilising these Cloud-based softwares from BenQ removes unnecessary in-person contact, also granting teachers access to personalise accounts and documents, and giving IT managers access to administer, control and monitor hardware devices from on-site or remote locations.
Whiteboarding and collaboration apps
Whiteboarding and collaboration apps enrich the creation of learning materials and facilitate the collaboration process. By putting more emphasis on how teachers and students use technology to interact with each other, as well as the devices themselves, new and safe teaching techniques can easily be formed.
Over the past few years, there has been a huge uptake in the installation of smart technology platforms into education, as well as the introduction of personal devices for student use. Interactive flat panels with integrated Android and Smart projectors now enable students to present work from their devices directly to the screen, without leaving their seats.
The widely successful software permitting students to securely connect to the in-class technology, is the InstaShare app from BenQ. Easily downloadable, the app’s simple user interface lets students share content and annotate from any personal device directly onto the main screen, and even dial into in-class lessons remotely for distance learning students. Reshaping the learning landscape, the inclusive platform is opening opportunities for more vulnerable students who may otherwise be reluctant to participate.
Content creation and scheduling tools
Communication is key to keeping learning environments safe and informed. To get the best from the software, you’ll want to find a platform which lets you build your own content and program it to be sent directly to your digital displays.
Look for intuitive features such as access to the cloud, pre-saved templates and scheduling functions which let you send content instantly or program an allotted time. X-Sign Broadcast from BenQ combines all these features and lets users distribute key messages, corporate branding or emergency updates as full screen content or in a ticketing format to not disrupt the activity on-screen.
As our education landscape redefines itself daily, it’s important to use the available technology to our advantage to protect classroom wellbeing. BenQ is at the forefront of the education technology market, with a multitude of classroom-enriching solutions which combine hardware and software to instantly transform the learning environment.
If you want to find out more about what they have to offer visit BenQ.co.uk or email