Teaching is all about communication. Are you able to communicate the material in myriad ways to help students of a variety of learning styles grasp the concepts? Not everyone understands everything in the same way.
It can be difficult to find effective communication methods, especially in middle school and high school. Sometimes it seems like the teenage students just don’t understand words. But there are things they do understand. Teenagers understand images. They understand video. They understand multi-media, multi-sensory communication. This is one of the reasons why we at Acoustics By Design are seeing a significant uptick in Digital Signage system design for K-12 schools.
“Digital signage” is a catch-all term that encompasses any digital media that is displayed for viewing and is easily changeable. Gone are the days of a cork bulletin board, paper flyers, and thumbtacks. The stray pieces of paper that used to litter the hallways are being replaced with a real technical solution. LED and LCD panels can be hung in gathering places, hallways, and cafeterias to display announcements, menus, and upcoming events. Instead of a printed flyer, these announcements are typed into a software program and distributed over video cabling or over the existing building IT network. Schools often enlist students to help design the content, often incorporating it into an art class.
The beauty of digital signage is that whoever controls the input of the content can schedule all the different announcements (slides, video, etc) in any order desired. Some schools deploy this type of signage not just in one building but sometimes across an entire district. A communications director or an administrative assistant can load and run content on displays that can be physically located many miles away.
A well-designed system will allow almost any type of digital media – including static slides, motion graphics, and video. When implemented, it is feasible to have high quality content that effectively communicates to students. Need proof? Just walk into your local mall. Retailers are using digital signage in stores everywhere to promote their products. The result – teenagers buy their stuff.
At Acoustics By Design, our independent technical system designers stay current with all the available options and technologies of digital signage systems. Since that’s their job, you don’t have to get lost in the weeds of every piece of equipment or software that comes across your desk. We’re experts at designing systems for all sorts of educational environments. As independent consultants, we aren’t bound by any particular manufacturer or specific technology, so you know you’re always getting the best fit for your needs and your budget.
