It probably does not come as a surprise that educators in K-12 schools often use more than one method of storing student performance information. But it may be enlightening to discover a paper-based book or journal is still the most common method of information storage. This blog post will discuss why it may be time for a change.

Where do you record student assignments, homework, grades, and assessments?

Source: Business Process Automation: Education K-12 Survey

(Keypoint Intelligence-InfoTrends, 2017)

Paper lacks search functionality

With electronic storage systems, you can often search for information by category or keyword. For example, if you want to view all grades for a particular student, you can click on that student’s name. Then, if you want to view all student grades for a specific assignment, you can click on the name of that assignment. Multiple ways of viewing performance data isn’t necessarily possible using a paper-based book or journal.

Paper limits access

A paper-based book can only be accessed by one or two people at a time. But an electronic records system can theoretically be used by a variety of educators at once. During report card season, for example, multiple individuals can access the information contained within the digital system. Furthermore, in many cases they can access the system from anywhere using an Internet browser. This helps boost productivity—enabling teachers to quickly move on to the next task at hand.

Paper is subject to damage

All it takes to damage a paper file is a spilled drink or unruly pet. But electronic files typically reside in the cloud, make them much less vulnerable to these kinds of threats. Furthermore, as these files tend to be backed up there is a lower likelihood their contents will be compromised.

Paper is subject to theft

While a book of grades and assessments may not seem like the most likely item for theft, there are certainly situations where this could place. An underperforming student could steal and hide (or destroy) this book so no records of his or her performance remain. Or this student could alter the information in the file. With a password-protected online records system, this type of activity may be much more difficult.

Summary

Many educators are still using paper-based books or journals to record student grades and assessments. But there are various drawbacks to this method, including limited search functionality, limited accessibility, and vulnerability to damage and/or theft. School districts seeking to overcome these barriers are encouraged to speak with their trusted technology providers.

Given the widespread use of mobile devices in personal and work life, it doesn’t seem farfetched to imagine greater use of this technology within K-12 classrooms. In fact, many classrooms are now investing in mobile technology for teaching and administrative purposes. This blog post will take a look at this trend, including several factors spurring interest in mobile education technology.

Mobile technology provides convenience, speeds up tasks

One huge benefit to mobile technology is that it is portable. Tablet computers, and smartphones in particular, can be easily carried or placed in a pocket—enabling them to be used in virtually any location.

This provides convenience to educators, helping explain why they are more likely to agree than disagree that mobile technology improves K-12 education processes. Furthermore, immediate access to a mobile device speeds up the completion of tasks.

Would you agree or disagree that the processes could be improved with mobile technology?

(1 = completely disagree; 5 = completely agree)

Source: Business Process Automation: Education K-12 Survey

(Keypoint Intelligence-InfoTrends, 2017)

Mobile technology opens up learning possibilities

When students have access to mobile devices and associated mobile apps, they have access to a wide range of content they might not otherwise encounter. For example, they can view information that’s updated in real time, available in a variety of languages, and sourced from all corners of the world.

While this information could theoretically be viewed on a desktop PC as well, there are typically not many of these in a classroom. A classroom is more likely to have access to multiple mobile devices due to their size, portability, and cost.

Mobile technology gives students technical skills

The skills required for student success are shifting as technology evolves. Once, schools prioritized typing on a traditional keyboard, but this need is largely being replaced by typing (or swiping) on a mobile device touchscreen or voice-controlled input.

In order for students to excel at new technologies, they need to be using them. They will gain advantages over students who lack access to these devices (and associated software), making them betting prepared for college and ultimately a career.

Summary

Mobile technology in the form of devices and software can truly improve processes from a convenience, speed, and learning perspective. Teachers can complete tasks more efficiently, while students have the opportunity to acquire a vast array of content and technical skills that can serve them throughout their personal and work lives.

Does your school handle a ton of paperwork? If it is like most schools, paper is still plentiful across many processes. This blog post will discuss how workflow software can help simplify and organize paperwork as well as the information contained within.

Source: https://pixabay.com/en/papers-stack-heap-documents-576385/

What is workflow software?

Workflow software is software that automates a process or processes. This is obviously a broad category, but when it comes to automating paper-based processes, applications that integrate with a scan device (e.g., multifunction printer, single-function scanner) may be worthwhile.

These applications can take scanned images, extract the contents of these scans, and route them to the most relevant document management system. It can also apply tags to the information, so that it is easily searchable in the document management system.

Other features are possible, but these are some of the most popular capabilities.

Why is workflow software useful?

When paired with powerful scan technology, workflow software can help save educators a substantial amount of time—allowing them to spend more time working directly with students. For instance, quick conversion of paper to searchable data lets organizations easily retrieve information at a later time.

Workflow software also reduces the need for file cabinets and other forms of paper storage, as it makes all information available digitally. This drives down costs for storage materials as well as space. Furthermore, the information is less vulnerable to natural disasters like a fire or flooding.

Another benefit of workflow software is enhanced confidentiality of information. The routing of student and family information to secure databases helps ensure that these sensitive files do not get into the wrong hands.

What do educators think about workflow software?

In a recent survey, Keypoint Intelligence-InfoTrends asked educators if they believe that various school processes could be improved upon with additional workflow software technology. For all processes, respondents were much more likely to agree the software will improve workflows as opposed to disagree.

For example, 48% of respondents agree new student/transfer registration would improve with workflow software compared to 7% that disagree this is the case. The remaining 45% of respondents say they have no opinion on the matter.

Summary

When paired with scan technology, workflow software can help educators more efficiently make use of paper-based information through quick search and retrieval capabilities. Other benefits of workflow software include reduced need for physical storage, enhanced security and confidentiality of information, and in some cases reduced costs.