It’s no surprise that today’s generation expects instantaneous access to information. Finding answers to questions was once time-consuming and involved research methodologies. Maybe you had to go to the library or bookstore—maybe you even had to handwrite a letter. Now, finding information takes little effort. With a few simple clicks, results appear on screen.
Educational institutions have a tremendous amount of information to convey, and an audience with little time to spend reading it. Students, whether they’re in elementary school or doing graduate work at university, share a commonality. They are used to using their fingers to search for information using touchscreens, whether it’s their smartphone, laptops, or iPads.
It makes sense that the digital experience also extends into schools. With printing and paper costs becoming an increasingly analyzed budget line, streamlining communications is a valuable cost-savings tool. Using digital signage in schools is an eco-sustainable, effective solution to the many informational needs of those on campus.
Offering much more than a simple directory, youRhere’s interactive information hubs are limitless knowledge banks. Whether helping newcomers navigate their way to faculties and classes, or sharing photos of former alumni, digital interactive hubs have a past, present and future in education systems.
Identifying the multi-layered needs of communication within educational institutions, youRhere has developed software features which provide flexible and affordable signage solutions for schools, colleges and universities. Rotating messaging is displayed in an engaging format—everything happens in one space. Years of school photos can be digitized and celebrated in interactive displays, encouraging present-day students to engage with the school’s history, and digital signage is a clever way for schools to increase their brand awareness.
“If the school has been around for 50 years, you haven’t got room for that amount of class pictures,” explains Scot Martin, President and CEO of youRhere. “You can put up a touch screen that would allow someone interested in looking at a past class to find them quickly and easily on a single screen.”
Honouring alumni through multimedia photo displays is fantastic for sharing the wealth of graduation photos and historical information, without cluttering walls with aging photos. Awareness of benefactors and their historical influence on the school can also be raised in an engaging, visually appealing format.
“When alumni come back to visit, they are tremendously disappointed if they can’t find anything that helps them reminisce about the old days,” Martin says. “They’re delighted if they can pull up pictures of their team, their classmates, or their favourite teacher. All those things can be searched for and found quickly with interactive digital signage.”
Wayfinding technology allows students to easily locate classrooms, lecture halls, the nearest elevator, and the cafeteria. Students can access maps for the full campus, rather than just for the building they are in, allowing them to better understand the campus layout, including parking facilities. QR codes offer students the opportunity to scan the directions to their phone, ensuring they have consistent guidance even after they leave the digital signage space.
Those with visual impairments can access text to voice options with headphones. Standalone units are virtually height-adjustable, ensuring accessibility is no barrier for anyone in a wheelchair. There are few limitations with digital signage.
After class, live transit information displayed on the interactive hubs makes it easy for students to get home safely without waiting around outside for the next bus, which could be 20 minutes away. Updates on potentially hazardous weather conditions can be clearly displayed on interactive digital signage. In the event of an emergency, displaying critical instructions to students can assist with evacuation efforts. Conveying important health and safety reminders is a valuable use of digital screens in education settings. When you need to inform people quickly, digital signage complements your communication tools.
Over in the student union building, interactive hubs can promote textbook sales, fundraising activities, happy hour and lunch specials. For sports fans, excitement and hype are generated through displays of future game schedules or last night’s game highlights.
youRhere’s digital screens are updated remotely through a simple content management system (CMS). The system is so easy to use, updates can even be completed from a smartphone. youRhere will also provide editable templates, making your latest communication a breeze to convey.
While youRhere’s digital signage offers mega messaging possibilities, the cost is surprisingly small. Screens can be purchased outright or leased and paid for over a contracted period. To offset costs, advertising space can be sold to local businesses, or to advertise local events.
Interactive digital hubs provide a green, sustainable solution to educational communication requirements. Scot Martin is the CEO of youRhere, a leading provider of digital signage solutions for commercial, retail, healthcare, and educational properties across Canada. To learn more, visit www.yourhere.ca
