Campuses and other educational facilities have a duty to keep faculty and students informed. Traditionally, educational institutions use printed signs to highlight school events, display cafeteria menus, showcase timetables, and spotlight emergency alerts. However, noticeboards were cluttered and uninspiring and often had outdated information. Additionally, these overcrowded bulletin boards hardly caught students’ attention.
Today’s students consume and discard information across many platforms at an astounding rate. To get their attention, you need resources that are as vivid and engaging as the social networks they frequent. Thankfully, you can leverage the latest digital signage technology on your campus to communicate with your students effectively.
Digital signage in schools represents a new era in education. If you want to connect with your digital-conscious students, a digital signage network will be the best investment to make. The benefits of digital signage in educational institutions include:
1. Provide Wayfinding
This is among the most practical benefits of digital displays. Large campuses will particularly appreciate how easy it is to find directions using digital screens. Smaller schools will also benefit from having faculty and students arrive on time for classes and events. Also, visitors will be able to navigate your campus confidently.Wayfinding is particularly important when welcoming new students. Students are commonly anxious to be in a new environment during orientation, and they need as much reassurance as possible.
Digital screens will give directions, instructions, and timetables for new students to settle in quickly. For example, you can coordinate a scavenger hunt that takes your students across the entire school to familiarize them with the institution. The elements below will make your wayfinding signs even more practical:
- Use Interactive Displays
- Utilize Multiple Platforms
- Add Color-coded Maps
2. Promote School Spirit
Modern students demand a richer learning experience. In addition to academic work, students should be encouraged to play active roles in athletics, clubs, and other school activities. You can showcase sporting events, school trips, and teaching sessions on digital screens to highlight your culture.A digital sign with your school’s logo, name, and mascot will enhance the school spirit. Besides, everyone loves to feel included. Therefore, you should give your students and faculty something to be proud of. For example, you can install a branded scoreboard that motivates your sports team.
A strong brand can convince a student to enrol in your university. For instance, you can place eye-catching digital signage displays in the reception area that highlight student accomplishments and student work.
3. Centralize Information Dissemination
Digital signage in schools will change how you communicate with students. Regular communication is vital for every school administrator, whether you run a high school, middle school, or elementary school. You can run timetable changes, show the lunch menu on a digital menu board, and display various announcements, including:- Building closures
- Changes in meeting locations
- Traffic
- Test dates
- Schedules for extracurricular activities
- Upcoming sporting events
- School news
The ease of use of such solutions means that different departments and student groups can broadcast the information that is relevant to them. For example, the environment club can promote clean-ups in student areas, while the Engineering department can promote a visiting lecturer.
4. Improve Safety
Campuses have long relied on SMS text messages to send emergency alerts. However, this method is not adequate, especially for any student or staff member who may not have cell service. On the other hand, digital screens are attention-grabbing, and they can be placed strategically across the entire campus.In events like fires, criminal activities, and severe weather, your students and staff will need a clear emergency message for guidance. You can send out alerts on all digital displays with clear instructions. Additionally, you can display new updates to keep everyone informed about the situation.
Digital signage also allows for multi-device messaging, which can be critical during emergencies. For instance, students isolated in a classroom can access emergency information on their mobile phones and other connected devices to remain informed.
5. Engage Students
Visual displays are powerful communication mediums. Most of today's learners are digital natives who spend a lot of time sifting through YouTube videos, images, animations, and movies. Therefore, you need engaging platforms to grab their attention. Besides, printed signs only crowd your notice boards and make your campus unappealing.You can also showcase social media feeds to boost engagement. For example, you can encourage audience members to share their congratulatory messages for the graduating class using a specific hashtag. You can even create contests to showcase on your social media channels. For example, you can ask students to post photos highlighting campus life and have other students like and comment.
Handing over the reins to students is also an excellent way to promote engagement. For instance, you can give graphic design students access to show off their work in real-time. By allowing students to take ownership of the content, you will fuel discussions and encourage participation.
