5 Essential Technology Needs for Schools: Building a Reliable Campus Tech Ecosystem
In today’s educational landscape, technology is no longer optional. Schools rely on it for everything from managing administrative tasks to supporting innovative learning experiences. Jeremy from Veeya, an expert in educational technology, highlights five critical needs that schools must address to maintain a stable, reliable, and efficient tech environment on campus. Let’s dive into these essentials and why they matter for a successful educational experience.
A robust wireless network is the backbone of any tech setup. Schools face unique challenges when it comes to WiFi infrastructure. Unlike other environments, schools experience sudden, high-volume wireless demands. For instance, when classrooms require hundreds of devices to connect simultaneously for testing, or a gymnasium transforms into a testing center, the WiFi infrastructure must support these high-capacity needs.
Without a properly designed wireless network, schools often encounter issues like slow page loads, disrupted connections, and lagging devices. These issues may seem like they’re due to outdated devices or slow internet, but more often than not, they trace back to the WiFi infrastructure. Simply upgrading internet speed won’t solve these problems if the wireless network itself can’t handle the traffic. Proper planning, network segmentation, and regular assessment are essential to creating a WiFi environment that can flexibly respond to the unique demands of a school.
Considerations for Implementation:
The devices themselves—whether Chromebooks, laptops, tablets, or desktops—are foundational to a school’s technology setup. However, without routine maintenance, these devices can quickly become bottlenecks in productivity. Schools often employ two main models for device use: one-to-one (each student has their own device) or shared devices in laptop carts. Each model has unique challenges when it comes to maintenance, updates, and availability.
For schools using laptop carts, issues arise when multiple devices require updates simultaneously. Imagine a scenario where a teacher pulls out 30 laptops for a testing session, only to find they all need updates. This results in significant delays and added stress on the network as these devices compete for bandwidth. Schools need to create a structured maintenance plan, which may involve a designated staff member regularly checking and updating devices. This ensures that devices are ready to use at all times, without surprises.
Key Actions to Maintain Devices:
While wireless infrastructure often causes issues, sufficient internet bandwidth is also crucial. In a school setting, sudden surges in demand—like when students start an online test—can create bandwidth bottlenecks. Even if the network is strong, limited bandwidth can lead to slow loading times, dropped connections, and an overall poor experience. Monitoring bandwidth usage in real-time helps schools anticipate these “peak times” and allocate resources accordingly.
Many schools mistakenly interpret an average bandwidth readout as a sign they have enough capacity. However, these readouts typically smooth out peaks and valleys, making it difficult to spot short-lived but severe spikes in demand. To identify these spikes, schools should use monitoring tools that track bandwidth on a second-by-second basis, revealing moments when usage exceeds available bandwidth and the network experiences strain.
Best Practices for Managing Bandwidth:
With schools increasingly targeted by cyber threats, security and data backups have become more critical than ever. Ransomware is a real concern for educational institutions, which hold sensitive data on students, staff, and parents. If breached, schools not only face financial costs but also reputational harm and potential exposure of private information.
To safeguard data, schools should employ multi-factor authentication (MFA), endpoint protection, and encryption. Additionally, having backups in place—both on-site and off-site—is essential for recovery in case of an attack. By storing backups in secure locations and implementing strict access controls, schools can minimize the risk of losing critical data.
Strategies for Security and Backup Management:
As schools incorporate more digital resources, cloud applications like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 have become essential. However, managing multiple cloud platforms can lead to complexity. Many schools inadvertently end up with “cloud sprawl,” where staff and students use different systems (e.g., Google for classroom tools, Microsoft for administrative work). This not only complicates IT management but also increases the risk of security vulnerabilities and version discrepancies.
To manage this effectively, schools should choose one primary cloud system or establish clear guidelines on when and how to use multiple systems. For example, they could designate Google Workspace for classroom collaboration and Microsoft 365 for administrative tasks. This clarity helps minimize confusion, streamline file management, and improve security by reducing redundant systems.
Tips for Streamlined Cloud Management:
By focusing on these five critical technology needs, schools can create a reliable and resilient tech environment that enhances learning and daily operations. Whether it’s building a robust wireless network, maintaining devices, ensuring bandwidth, implementing strong security, or managing cloud systems, each of these components plays an integral role in a successful technology strategy.
For schools seeking guidance, Veeya has over 15 years of experience helping educational institutions address these exact challenges. From a step-by-step checklist to personalized advice, Veeya offers the expertise schools need to build a tech ecosystem that truly works. If your school needs support, reach out to Veeya—partnering with technology experts can be the first step to achieving a seamless tech experience on your campus.