Higher Education in 2022 – Now Is The Time to Start Planning

Summer is the ideal time for schools to update their classrooms and other spaces for the return of students. Even though it might seem early, it’s essential to start planning for the technology and equipment necessary to enhance student and teacher experiences in the classroom. 

Hybrid classrooms are undoubtedly the new norm and aren’t going away anytime soon. It’s important to have tools that accommodate both in-person and remote students and give them equal access to the classroom. There are a few new technologies to keep your eye out for when planning next year’s classrooms. 

Interactive whiteboards. Virtual whiteboards have been used for many years in the classroom instead of traditional whiteboards. Still, recently interactivity has become a popular component for these boards. With interactive whiteboards, teachers can share their boards in real-time with remote students and those in the classroom. In addition, students can add to and collaborate via these whiteboards, ideal for brainstorming, team projects or any other activity. 

Equitable speaker and microphone systems. Students should be able to hear and be heard clearly across the classroom and even over online learning tools like Zoom. Installing microphones and speakers throughout a classroom and utilizing voice lift technology ensures that all students have an equal opportunity to participate. Voice lift technology minimizes audible distractions, amplifies speakers' voices during class and distributes the sound equally across the classroom through the use of microphones and amplifiers. The unmistakable sound emitted from adjusting the speaker’s voice by just a few decibels is also transmitted clearly across video and conferencing tools for online learners to hear as well. 

Virtual reality and augmented reality technology. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in classrooms are just getting started. There are many benefits that come from its use in the classroom. There are many different industries and applications where VR and AR are helpful, including healthcare, aviation, anthropology and more. These technologies Immerse students in work and block out potential distractions. VR and AR are great for hands-on training where simply learning the instructions is not as helpful as the actual actions. VR can also create virtual “field trips” that may not be possible in reality, allowing students to visualize and interact with a simulation of reality that is relevant to their coursework. 

Due to COVID-19, supply chains across all industries have been delayed and are unpredictable. In 2021, the estimated value for out-of-stock items across all sectors was $1.14 trillion.  It is imperative to plan ahead to forego these uncertainties. If you wait until the last minute, or even until late spring, there could be a delay in delivery times and supply availability. Now is the time to start thinking about the future of your classrooms and what you want them to be capable of for the new school year.

AV Planners can provide you with the tools and expertise you need to plan for summer installations in your classrooms to accommodate a hybrid learning environment. AV Planners is also proud to offer in-service training to enable teachers to use the system with ease, technical support through Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and maintenance programs designed to maintain and extend the life span of the AV system. Contact AV Planners to learn more about our services. Keep up with the latest news from AV Planners on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram