Latin America. How can you be sure that your investment in technology for the education sector is going to have the return you are waiting for? The first step in answering is to understand if the technology that was implemented is being used.
One of the easiest ways to know if people are using technology is through tools like Network Analytics. These windows in network usage can provide information that is needed to understand the return on investment a company or organization made in technology. Extreme Newtworks' analytics platform, Extreme Analytics, provides 7-layer visibility detailing who used applications, in what location, and at what time of day.
This helps answer the following questions:
Are your application investments being used effectively? If you purchased 100 Blackboard licenses, are they being used in full? And if not, is there an opportunity for latent training or resistance by students or educational staff?
Who is using which devices throughout the campus, belonging to which districts, 1:1 or BYOD? What kind of devices are being used and when are they most commonly used?
How are classrooms using state-of-the-art technology and how can other classrooms learn? Can instructors share the ideas that are making a difference?
Are your students in a safe zone while using technology? How do you get access to information in a case of cyber-bullying? Are your students good digital citizens with an understanding of best practices with technology, social media, and sharing apps?
What apps are students using on their own that could be beneficial to the rest? How do high-performing students use the apps during the day? What about underperforming students?
Is the school providing a fast and reliable network that makes students and staff feel comfortable using technology throughout the day, both in and out of the classroom?
By answering these questions, the educational organization will gain a better understanding of what technology is working and where there are points for improvement. In addition, the person in charge of the technology area will have solid tools to effectively report the progress of the IT investment.
Written by Bob Nilsson, Director of Vertical Market Solutions Marketing at Extreme Networks.
