In this digital age, teachers can’t approach education or students with the same methods they did 30 years ago—particularly in our post-COVID world.
As various lockdowns forced schools to take education into the virtual space, a lot has been required from teachers and students to make online learning work.
Aside from online learning, smart technology has become a bigger part of our lives, and students now expect a more interactive and immersive learning experience.
In fact, a recent report found that student engagement improved by 55% after introducing smart technology into classrooms.
In this article, we explore:
💡 The characteristics of a smart school.
💡 How smart technology is bringing traditional classrooms into the 21st century.
💡 The benefits of using smart technology in smart schools.
What is a smart school?
As technology becomes more advanced and the educational environment evolves, we’re seeing many traditional schools moving towards becoming smart schools.
The definition of a smart school
A smart school is one where smart technology—like Teach ’n Go—and digital tools are used to maximize and improve learning.
The technology and equipment used in a smart school may also include:
🖥 Laptops and tablets.
🖥 Interactive whiteboards.
🖥 Projectors.
The differentiating factor between traditional and smart schools is how technology is used to improve students' learning experience.
However, smart schools do more than just incorporate technology in the classroom. They also boost student engagement and empower teachers to deliver more engaging lessons.
Lessons from David Perkins
In his book “Smart Schools: From Training Memories to Educating Minds,” author David Perkins suggests that these schools are those that are “wide awake to the opportunities for better teaching and learning.”
According to Perkins, smart schools have the following characteristics. They are:
➡️ Informed: Teachers and students understand human thinking and how school structures work.
➡️ Energetic: Smart schools take measures to cultivate positive energy towards the school structure, administration style, and teacher and student treatment.
➡️ Thoughtful: Smart schools are friendly, caring, and mindful places where people are sensitive to each other’s needs.
A smart understanding
From an operational perspective, it takes many hours and plenty of effort to run a school effectively.
With smart technology, the difference that teachers, students, and parents experience is faster and more streamlined operations.
Improved operations lead to higher levels of productivity, communication, and student engagement.
Smart technology often involves using platforms and apps to achieve better communication between teachers, students, and parents through tools like email, SMS, and video sharing.
The benefits of smart schools
Increased student engagement
Perhaps one of the biggest issues teachers face with online learning is keeping their students engaged and motivated.
Technology helps create an interactive learning environment and encourages knowledge retention through:
Video
Audio
Gamification
Smart boards
Presentations
Smart whiteboards, for example, allow teachers to face students while teaching—helping maintain attention instead of turning away to erase a board.
Environmentally friendly
Cloud-based systems reduce reliance on printed notes, forms, and physical registers by storing everything digitally.
Easy access to online resources
When documentation and classroom resources are stored digitally, students and teachers can access what they need from anywhere—especially helpful for virtual classes.
Staying up-to-date with lessons
Students can learn at their own pace and revisit content as needed—especially when classes are recorded and stored for review.
Keeping parents informed
Parent involvement supports learning. Smart systems make it easier to share updates, exam info, attendance, and progress without relying on paper notes or phone calls.
Preparing students for the digital world
Smart schools help learners build confidence with digital tools—skills they’ll need for modern careers.
Boosting productivity
Teachers spend less time on admin (like attendance) and more time on planning and communication—helping classrooms run more smoothly.
Storytelling and visual learning
Digital tools allow teachers to present information visually and through media, helping many learners grasp complex concepts faster.
Collaboration for skills development
Students can collaborate on shared documents, slides, or boards, building communication and teamwork skills.
A solution for every learning style
Smart schools can accommodate different learning preferences by offering flexible access to content and varied formats.
A smarter way to learn
Using smart technologies benefits the entire school community, from teachers to students and parents.
If schools and colleges want to provide the best quality education for their students, an investment in smart technology is the way forward.
A great place to start is a simple yet powerful school management system like Teach ’n Go.
To learn more about how Teach ’n Go can help you transform your school into a smart one, book a demo or start your free trial today.
