Keeping the communications flowing in and around an educational establishment has become a big task...

There are many different groups that need to be addressed.  Students, teachers, parents and visitors, all require timely, relevant information.  The choice of communications channels available to educational establishments has also increased – it’s not just the odd written notice or letter given to students at the end of the school day; we have emails, SMS texts and websites.  These ‘audiences’ are also getting more demanding.  Parents want to be better informed about their children’s progress and to get more involved with the school.  Educational establishments are much more conscious about the image they project to students, teachers and the outside world – communication needs to be of a consistent quality, well produced and engaging.

Communicating to and engaging with students is a real challenge, as the ‘Generation Y’ has grown up amidst a media explosion via mobile phones, digital TV and the internet.  Most youngsters are adept at using new communications technology to their advantage, getting what they want, when they want it.  This means that communications within a school or a college have to really try hard to mirror this new way of consuming information.  Government agencies and other third sector organisations also see educational establishments as a route to get their messages out with regards to health and social issues.  A school or college needs to use all the communications armoury they can muster.

Digital signage is designed to replace the traditional noticeboard and signage displayed on modern large plasma or LCD screens.  Digital signage is more appealing as a medium.  Everyone is attracted to moving images and sound, and it gives educational establishments a professional feel for the reception, corridors, refectory and other high traffic areas.

It allows the dissemination of ‘real time’ information such as lesson changes, new policies or latest events across all screens instantly, as well as providing a creative outlet to display in-house produced videos to promote plays, concerts or sporting fixtures to showcase achievements and motivate pupils.

What makes a good digital signage system?  It should be easy to use for technical and non-technical staff, and provide a selection of on-screen templates to offer maximum flexibility for your ‘infotainment’ channel.

Dividing screen space enables you to maximise your digital signage channel by showing multiple streams on each display simultaneously including presentations, photography, video, live TV feeds, RSS and tickertape messages, while scheduling allows you to prepare and pre-programme your content several days in advance.
Digital signage also provides a strong method of connecting with visitors to showcase your school.  For open days a professional presentation starting with a video introduction to the school, examples of major achievements and highlights from the school play and sports day, can prove a polished and powerful sales tool.
Digital signage can be used to reinforce messages specific to the area in which they are shown, such as a welcome message and school overview in reception, healthy eating in the refectory or the key theme of that morning’s assembly in the main hall.

Important, but seldom changed messages, which have previously been displayed on yellowing posters, and all too frequently go unnoticed, such as emergency or health and safety procedures, can be brought to life and reinforced with digital signage.

And as we encourage our children to embrace the technical age in which they are growing up, what better way to motivate and inspire them than by encouraging them to create their own content for the school’s own TV channel?

Messages no longer need to be static.  They can be multiple, vivid, moving images, incorporating audio which can be changed and updated at the touch of a button.  Show the depth and variety of your school by moving to the moving image of digital noticeboards.

Kevin Cooke, Managing Director, Hydravision
Hydravision Trading Ltd, 2 Marine Studios, Burton Waters, Burton Lane End, Lincoln LN1 2WN
Sales:  0844 561 0602   Sales email:  sales@hydravision.tv
Website: www.hydravision.tv