Classroom Solutions From BCS

Back to School Checkup

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Almost every parent has a back-to-school checklist for their child: annual physical, new clothes, school supplies, etc. But what about the school? Many schools, both public and private, have been operating for a long time. This means that throughout the years, they have had their own checklist to run through to make sure every part of the building is running smoothly when students return – including technology.

For schools, the most important system is the phones. Parents need to be able to contact administrators without worrying about getting disconnected or a busy line, and administrators need to be able to connect to the right classroom to reach teachers quickly. For your back-to-school checkup, make sure your phone system is still working for you.

Another important system to check is the one you use to teach students. Is your school still running on old, roller cart projectors? To make use of all of the amazing tools out there for students and teachers now, and encourage participation through interactive tools, update your technology with new projectors or smart boards!

Finally, you’ll want to check your computers for updates, and double check your network security. With the amount of online programs used to log grades and assign upload homework, keeping your student’s information protected is important, and keeping your network updated and secure will make the school year a breeze for teachers, parents and administrators.

However, we know that busy teachers and administration don’t have time to manage technology and troubleshoot issues as they come. That’s why outsourcing IT strategy, maintenance, monitoring and repair is a smart choice for many schools and school divisions. For more information and expert advice on choosing the best options for your school, contact BCS Voice & Data at (757) 497-3100.

A/V Solution: Projectors

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Communicating ideas, figures and numbers to an audience is already difficult – especially with no visual aid. With the availability of technology and the ability to connect your computer to a television, this may seem like the solution. But what about for larger rooms where more people might need to see the screen?

Projectors have come a long way, and are still one of the most affordable and convenient way to display your message. Not sure if a projector is right for you? Check out these examples of where they are commonly used:

  1. Classrooms. Teachers and professors need more than just a whiteboard or a chalkboard, especially when classrooms are maxing at 30 students and lecture halls hold hundreds of students. Visual aids are especially important for some students to retain information, which is why a projector is one of the most essential items for a classroom setting. This extends to professional training rooms as well as in the corporate environment.
  2. Events. All of your favorite TED talks? Inspirational speeches? Public film events? They are using projectors. Just like the way teachers use visual aids, accompanying an important point you’re making with an image will help listeners remember what you’re saying long after the event is over.
  3. Offices. Whether you’re training new employees or presenting statistics to a client, you’re going to have materials to show them. Printing charts out can get confusing for others, especially if you’re moving along quickly and they don’t know where to look. Posters and cardboard visuals can get expensive and can be wasteful if you’re going to throw them out afterwards. Plus, they are hard to edit with last-minute changes. A projector allows you to quickly flip back and forth through pages of information and physically point to where you want your audience to look.

If you think a projector is right for your project, contact BCS Voice & Data at (757) 497-3100 today for a no-obligation recommendation and estimate.