Most of us use the cloud on a day-to-day basis, and our lives are increasingly influenced by cloud technology. From storing data, files, images and more on your personal devices, to collaborating with others on shared documents, cloud-based systems are at the forefront of many workplaces’ strategies in 2020. The benefits are clear:

• Low cost storage of data
• Enables remote working
• Allows users to work on shared documents in real-time 
• Streamlines workflows and procedures 

However, many schools aren’t embracing cloud technology. Whilst a third of universities use the cloud, the numbers of primary and secondary schools using this technology are drastically lower. 

Whilst the majority of schools haven’t historically used cloud-based services, unprecedented events in 2020 have drastically changed the teaching methods of many schools. School closures and reduced class sizes have resulted in home learning. Many schools have now embraced using the cloud to share lessons and assignments with their students. 

Schools can now apply for Department for Education-funded support to get set up on one of two free-to-use digital education platforms: G Suite for Education and Office 365 Education.

Once you have access to these platforms, your school can easily access resources, as both IMPACT and IMPACT Plus displays are fully compatible with Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive. 

Why the Cloud could benefit your school:

Futureproof
The last few months have shown us that we can never be sure of what’s to come. By implementing a cloud strategy in your school, you are covered in case of ongoing school closures or lockdowns. Both G Suite for Education and Office 365 Education allow you to create collaborative classrooms, so you and your students can familiarise yourselves with tools that allow learning and teaching from home. 

Streamline workloads
By working remotely, teachers can effectively manage workloads from home or from school. Applications with cloud log-ins allow lessons and resources to be accessed from anywhere, freeing up teachers time and workload. It also allows those lessons and resources to be shared with other teachers, either from the same school or on a global scale. 

Environment
Being able to log in and view your files from anywhere means teachers no longer need to print or photocopy documents. Both teachers and students can access the shared cloud accounts from home to work on things out of school hours. Saving on paper and printing has huge environmental benefits.  

Cost
Having cloud-based servers rather than on-site servers is often cheaper, and it frees up space within the school to be used by other activities. Lots of cloud-based applications can save time and therefore money on daily administrative tasks.

Students prefer it
It’s quick to access information, students can work together without needing to be physically together, and students enjoy using online resources. There are no obstacles to learning – all the resources are securely available to students to access at any time, from anywhere. 

Real-time collaboration
Department or year group meetings and pooled resources can be updated instantly, with everyone working together simultaneously in real-time, supporting teachers who need to leave school at the end of the day and work later in the evening or at other times throughout the day from home or elsewhere. 

At Clevertouch, we’ve made our new IMPACT range cloud-friendly. All the resources and lessons you create are readily available via the apps included on your interactive display. 

Lynx, which is included with every IMPACT screen, is launching its new cloud-based application. It will allow teachers to upload entire folders of Smart Notebook files, PowerPoint files and more, and convert them into Lynx files. Users can then sync their Lynx account with Lynx Cloud Drive, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive or Dropbox, allowing files to be used by any colleagues that have access to those cloud accounts. Effectively, years of lesson resources can be accessed and shared by any members of your team, cutting down lesson planning time and consolidating the lesson creating process. 

With student numbers continuing to rapidly increase, now is the ideal time for schools to start adopting cloud platforms, especially with some schools not returning to full capacity classrooms in September. It is vital that teacher workload and teaching resources are in line with these increased pressures. Now is the time to embrace the power of the cloud, leaving more time, budget and resources free for schools to concentrate on educating students.