Today, more than ever, classrooms require integrated solutions for both students and teachers alike. Up-to-date technology empowers educators to deliver engaging, efficient, and effective instruction to their students.
In the classroom, chalkboards have given way to whiteboards, smartboards, and interactive displays. We wanted to understand how digital displays are used, how they could be improved, and how pain points differ between educators, administrators, and campus IT.
Thanks to Samsung for sponsoring!
Who Did We Talk To?
We hired a third-party agency to gather survey responses. The 125 respondents were recruited through a research panel and invited via email to complete the survey.
Respondent Requirements:
- US-based, working in Education
- Using some form of digital display in classrooms
Top Takeaways
What else did we learn?
UX/UI = Frustration
30% of respondents reported displays were "Difficult to Operate" as their top challenge. Additionally, many were frustrated by the limited apps available and how outdated the hardware/software had become (31% combined).
We also learned that most educational displays are not interactive/touchscreen-capable, so we wanted to know why. 39% of respondents cited "Technical Difficulties" there, too, but that number jumps to 62% from the IT/EdTech respondents and 50% of instructors. When the folks responsible for maintaining and educating the educators on these devices aren't investing because it's too much trouble, that presents a clear opportunity to invest in technology that provides a better user experience and a shorter learning curve.
Why aren't your instructors using more/any interactive displays?
"The importance of simplicity with interactive displays, particularly the User Interface & Experience, really jumps off the page when looking at the responses to questions about challenges and expectations for future displays."
--Dr. Micah Shippee, Director of Educations Solutions & Channel Sales, Samsung
Campus Support ≠ External Support
40% of institutions utilize external IT companies for display maintenance, while 43% rely on campus IT.
Of the respondents who work in a school system with fewer than 1,000 employees—45% utilize external IT maintenance, while 25% rely on campus IT departments. Inversely, of those who work for institutions with over 1,000 employees—33% use external IT maintenance, while 62% rely on campus IT departments.
The decision to utilize internal vs. external IT support likely involves cost-benefit considerations. Schools with smaller IT budgets or specialized display technology may find outsourcing more cost-effective. In comparison, those with larger budgets or more straightforward tech may prefer to keep maintenance in-house.
Providers seeking business with smaller institutions should emphasize their comprehensive, highly accessible support. For larger institutions, highlighting solutions that minimize the burden on the internal IT team will go a long way. Remote management tools, robust content curation software, and a UI that mirrors familiar consumer devices could accomplish this.
Benefits of Displays ≥ Challenges
Despite the challenges and concerns with digital displays, various benefits can be found in their place in the modern classroom.
Creativity headlines those benefits (a plus for student engagement), but respondents also value the ability to enhance their curriculum, communicate, and collaborate. Additionally, 78% of displays could receive alerts or push notifications, an essential tool for security, critical information, and communication on campus.
Better UI + Mounting (x Communication) = Opportunity
Reinforcing those earlier pain points, 40% of education leaders want a better user experience from their next displays, followed by mounting options and real-time messaging.
It's worth noting that about half of those who identified their current role as IT/EdTech mentioned remote management tools as a top-3 feature they would like to see in their next display.
Summary: Win in Education with Next-Gen, Interactive, User-Friendly Displays
Institutions understand the need to engage students with technology. Still, educational leaders are looking to solve the challenge of finding the right solutions that appeal to instructors, students, and administrators while providing easy maintenance, installation, and upkeep for IT support. That's where you come in!
Checklist for VARs:
- Focus on User-Friendly Solutions: Intuitive interfaces and comprehensive training are in high demand.
- Offer Managed Services: Develop service packages that include installation, maintenance, and support, especially for smaller schools.
- Develop Future-Forward Solutions: Partner with hardware, software, and content providers that can craft a comprehensive, cost-effective solution to meet the current moment and keep classrooms modern and ready for the next generation.
- Cater to Diverse Needs: While teachers seek solutions with intuitive interfaces and flexible hardware, IT professionals seek remote management and seamless integration. Engage with both sides to ensure you are delivering on all needs. Likewise, no two school systems are the same, so anticipating and adapting is essential, depending on your audience.
Want to learn more or discuss potential opportunities in education? Contact your BlueStar representative today!
