How Technology Can Cut School Costs

The role of education in life is changing at all levels with continuing education keeping individuals in school throughout most of their lives. As the educational environment evolves, the reliance on technology is growing at a fast rate with schools and students hoping to keep costs low by increasing the level of technology used. Across the world, government cuts to educational programs are changing the way we look at the traditional school day. D2L reports school-age students in Germany are facing spending levels ten percent lower than those seen in 2008 meaning new ways of obtaining information must be found.

Less reliance on printed resources

The first benefit any student or educator will identify when using technology is the lower cost involved in using digital platforms instead of traditional textbooks. Scholastic explains private-public partnerships can play a major role in developing technology-based learning platforms where information is sent directly to tablets, laptops, and other mobile devices.

One of the costliest aspects of the educational experience for administrators, educators, and students is the use of paper textbooks which can be outdated in a short period of time. The use of digital materials allows a textbook can be automatically updated and corrected remotely without a great deal of extra expense for an academic institution.

Numbers are less important

No matter what form of academic course is being explored, technology can play an important role in providing learning materials for every student. Charter schools are often seen as the major users of technology for their students as highlighted in this recent article. Online MCAT practice and the development of skills across the board makes it easy for technology benefits to be identified. Educational costs are an important factor for all institutions but the private sector is often seen as leading the way forward by lowering costs.

Private-public partnerships are a good way of lowering costs across all platforms with the scalable nature of technological platforms important to most administrators. In the past, schools would be forced to purchase a specific number of physical textbooks and materials. Switching to an Online-based platform allows more resources to be purchased through a private-public partnership program.

Visual learning environments

One of the most important developments of recent years has been the introduction of Visual Learning Environments, often referred to as VLE. These Online platforms are based around the ability of an educator to release information at specific times and in a style suited to each learner.

The traditional learning materials and environments are no longer enough to allow a student to achieve their potential through the introduction of new learning activities. Online platforms allow learning options such as Online games, videos, and audio all being used to lead individuals to their potential.

As yourself and your student move through the educational system of the 21st-century, you will find the reliance on technology continues to grow. The introduction of a VLE at the U.K.’s Nottingham University led to more than 80 percent of students increasing their study time because of the ease of use. Pass rate increases have also been directly linked to the use of a VLE with the pass rate at Mohawk College rising by an impressive 20 percent following the use of a Visual Learning Environment.