With COVID-19 still a threat across the country, many school districts are in the process of creating reopening plans that enable learning across a variety of situations — in person, remote, or hybrid combinations.
What each plan has in common is the necessity for an advanced technology setup to help students learn effectively while maintaining social distance and limiting exposure.
The Rethink K-12 Education Models Grant is a pool of $300 million for schools to “rethink education by creating flexible K-12 models, developing postsecondary tools that aid economic recovery.” This grant was authorized as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was signed into law in April.
AV solution providers like IVCi play an important role in helping grant recipients (along with other K-12 institutions), implement the technology they need for a safe school reopening. As the grant describes, IVCi can help organizations:
- Access the technology and services they need for remote learning
- Increase their range of virtual learning through course access technology
- Get the latest technology in remote education to ensure that every child is learning and preparing for successful careers and lives
But for us at IVCi, it goes beyond just installing and implementing technology. It’s about being a trusted technology partner that can help schools get the tools they need in the way they need it. That’s why we take a three-phase approach to make the best of specific school’s learning environments:
- Strategy — we help K-12 institutions decide what technology works best for them, based on their reopening plans, budget, and specific needs.
- Deployment — we safely install technology quickly and with safety precautions in mind, so schools can be ready before the first day of classes.
- Support — we provide ongoing service so students and faculty can adjust to new technology confidently.
Our goal is not only to set K-12 institutions up with technology to enable learning during the pandemic, but to set them up with tools for long-term success. Remote or hybrid learning is likely to be a part of education for years to come, so schools that make the transition with trusted technology partners by their side will see these additional long-term benefits:
- Quicker transitions — with support for both the initial setup and on an ongoing basis, schools can make smoother and faster transitions to remote or hybrid learning, allowing their long-term plans to adapt to whatever the current situation is at that time.
- Higher user confidence — comprehensive training programs allow users to get comfortable with the technology. Meanwhile, additional features like thermal cameras, touchless kiosks, and programmable safety displays raise overall safety confidence levels.
- Better engagement — learning environments can be customized to better fit student needs and better allow teachers to conduct their lessons.
With the vision for the 2020-2021 school year still uncertain and likely to change multiple times, technology is set to play an important role in helping students get the education they deserve. Whether your school is a Rethink K-12 Education Models Grant recipient or not, contact us today to start rethinking your education model.
