Since its introduction to the education market, touchscreen technology remains a favorite among students and teachers alike. Interactive touchscreens provided a welcomed upgrade to antiquated projectors and static whiteboards.
As a result of this rising popularity, the global interactive display market is expected to achieve a 7.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2022 and 2030. In 2021, the market’s value was $18.741 billion. By 2030, analysts believe that touchscreen technology devices will become a $31.44 billion powerhouse. The education sector and its blossoming relationship with interactive touchscreens will fuel this growth.
Why Is Touchscreen Technology Great for Schools?
What makes touchscreens so popular in the classroom? The answer is short and sweet: because it works. Touchscreen devices changed the way students learn. Users find them easier and more fun to operate. In addition, the instant feedback generated by touchscreen technology makes it more engaging. Needless to say, educators seized the opportunity to provide students with a new and fun way to learn.
Below are some of the top reasons why interactive touchscreens make a great medium for teaching:
Students Respond to Touchscreens Positively
Students responding positively to interactive learning is by far the most compelling reason to invest in touchscreen technology. Touchscreens promote active learning; active learning is when learners receive instant feedback about their actions. A Harvard study showed that students who engaged in active learning scored better on tests than students who attended lectures.
Touchscreen devices feature interactive lesson modules that include instant reactions to the students’ touches. In addition, multi-touch versions encourage collaboration and teamwork among students. All of these elements work together to foster a fun classroom environment where students don’t even realize they’re learning.
Teachers Love the All-In-One Solution
The interactive touchscreen replaces three classroom devices: the whiteboard, the projector and the video player. This presents an integrated solution that’s convenient for everyone. Teachers no longer need to waste valuable class time scrambling to find resources, as all lesson plans and materials are digitally stored and ready to light up the screen. Furthermore, touchscreen devices require less space and are easier to set up.
Expandable and Upgradable
As touchscreen devices work similarly to PCs, they too require regular maintenance to run smoothly. Software upgrades and drive optimization procedures are fairly standard processes that the district IT team can perform habitually. If programs and applications require higher processing power, expansions and upgrades are available for most devices. This flexibility allows school districts to continue making use of their investments for longer. However, it also requires the support of reliable device management software.
Don’t Forget Device Management for Touchscreen Technology
Manufacturers and vendors that offer touchscreen technology solutions to schools and districts should realize that customers’ needs go beyond physical devices. Once installed, administrators will need help to manage these devices and ensure they perform optimally. This means making sure that all devices are running the latest operating system and software versions. It also means keeping the devices locked, so only authorized users can operate and only authorized applications can run.
To provide the ultimate value to education sector customers, vendors should bundle their hardware offerings with reliable device management software. This helps ensure that devices receive proper monitoring, maintenance and management to keep them running smoothly throughout their lifespan. The right device management software can also provide full security services. This helps protect not just the devices themselves, but also the data they contain.
Buyers from various school districts and private institutions will appreciate sellers who bundle a reliable device manager that is powerful enough to maximize their education technology investments.
Device Management Software Features for Touchscreen Technology
The ideal device management solution should contain features and functions that help touchscreen technology devices consistently perform at their best. It should also help protect the devices from unauthorized use or access. Below are some of the ideal features that should be part of any bundled device management solution.
Cloud-based, AWS-powered System
To have 24/7 access to the district’s units, the device management software should be cloud-based. It should also operate under a reliable server, like Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS prompts fast, secure connections that implement end-to-end encryption while conforming to global and regional privacy standards.
Device Agnostic
Recognizing that some touchscreen devices can come from other sources, the device management software shouldn’t discriminate against device brands or operating systems. It should have no problem connecting with any touchscreen devices in the network.
Low-Level Management Layer
Maintenance procedures on hundreds or thousands of devices are much easier when conducted remotely. The software should manage Over-the-Air (OTA) updates over the internet to perform updates on multiple devices. Alternatively, the device manager should allow options for administrators to perform updates on a single device, a batch, or the entire fleet.
Assign Access Levels
Keeping touchscreen devices safe means restricting functions to those with proper authorization. End-users, like teachers and students, should only be allowed to use the school device in official school activities. Meanwhile, school district officials and data analysts should have access to the devices’ data to gather insights and formulate strategies. Finally, administrators and IT support teams should have internal access to perform maintenance, repair, and security procedures. Assigning multiple access levels means every user gains access to the areas they need—no more, no less.
Provide Security Measures
In cases when users attempt to access restricted files or launch unauthorized apps, the device manager can simply lock or freeze the device to prevent further attempts. In more daring cases where users try to transport devices outside of the authorized zone, geolocation alerts can warn administrators to disable the device and/or wipe its data.
Touchscreen Technology Is Here to Stay
Devices that run on touchscreen technology will likely remain a major part of schools’ hardware for the foreseeable future. They have gifted convenience, more successful learning and fun to classrooms all over the world.
Of course, touchscreen devices can pose a significant financial investment. This is precisely why they require careful management to preserve their functionality and extend their lifespans. Device manufacturers and vendors should take note of the need to provide this value-added service. Bundling reliable device management software can give buyers the confidence to take the plunge.
Nadav Avni is the chief marketing officer at Radix Technologies.
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