Jonas Gyalokay and the technology that makes itself invisible.
INTERVIEW | by Victor Rivero
AIRTAME
An exciting new startup from the design capital of the world, Copenhagen, Denmark-based Airtame is simplifying communication for thousands of schools and companies. The company’s co-founder Jonas Gyalokay shares how his company is putting people before screens, creating a simpler, smarter, more engaging shared screen experience, providing solutions for hybrid conferencing, screen sharing, and digital signage—and helping anyone effortlessly share from their personal device to the screen or wall, whether a student in the classroom or a team member in a hybrid meeting.
‘…when schools recognize the power of technology, effective and approachable educational solutions can ensure educators and students alike can navigate it effortlessly…’
Here, Jonas speaks on how technology in the classroom can enhance the educational experience for both teachers and students alike, and the ways that adaptable technology solutions for hybrid learning, screen sharing, and digital signage can be a helpful and fun addition across campuses.
What is the number one thing school designers and administrators should look for when implementing technology into classrooms?
When implementing technology into classrooms, the most vital aspect is flexibility. Educators whose schedules are jam-packed down to the minute need a solution that is easy to use, easily adaptable, easy to monitor and remotely troubleshoot, and doesn’t waste time.
JONAS GYALOKAY
For example, one period, a class could be using a screen to watch an educational movie. The next, they could be on a virtual call with an expert, or connecting with a fellow student who is in a different location. Given the modern nature of education today, and the fact that it will continue to shift, school designers and administrators should be looking for a solution that can grow and expand with the ever changing needs of their staff and students.
What are some factors that might play a role in the type of technology educators need?
Classroom needs are unpredictable, which means that administrators need to keep a few things in mind when implementing technology into the classroom:
A. Class size: Larger classes might need more advanced technology to allow for an individualized experience, so edtech solutions need to be adaptable and have the ability to seamlessly integrate additional solutions to provide an all encompassing technological experience.
B. Subject of teaching: No two topics, teachers, or lessons are alike . A Biology class and an English class have completely different needs, and as such different technology solutions can account for that.
C. Hybrid or remote learning: Flexible learning environments are here to stay, and the demand for user-friendly, collaborative hybrid environments in education facilities is unwavering. End users are looking for adaptable, cross-functional solutions, installers are looking for seamless integration, and the right technology addresses all of these needs. Hybrid learning is only as powerful as the tools used to execute it, which can lead to inequity in remote learning. A flexible solution boosts learning capabilities, helping schools create first-class modern learning environments, and enabling educators to equally engage both in-person and remote students with ease, facilitating interactive and inclusive learning experiences, making education simply about education.
Ultimately, when schools recognize the power of technology, effective and approachable educational solutions can ensure educators and students alike can navigate it effortlessly, delivering a remarkably seamless experience, leading to a more exciting and productive learning environment.
How does an effective technology solution benefit everyone in the school – teachers, administrators, students, and visitors?
Administrators rely on advanced technology to maintain impactful learning, communication, safety, and entertainment throughout school districts. Whether technology is used in classrooms, hallways, or community spaces, tools need to be easily controlled and accessed. Reliable, high-quality technology that gives school administrators the agency to communicate effectively with students and teachers is crucial.
Additionally, many modern solutions can be managed via the Cloud, ensuring seamless control of digital signage to reflect community messaging, emergency information, or school spirit – maintaining agility and adaptability amidst the continuous evolution of education technology by providing flexible and cross-platform compatibility so learning can be prioritized. Ease of use allows technology to be an easy and fun addition to any classroom.
Technology has become a crucial part of all classrooms – the benefit of an effective solution is clear for teachers. Time is precious in the classroom, and the less time spent fiddling with wires or changing devices means more time to educate students. Collaboration technology also has the ability to protect and prioritize teachers’ wireless connections, strengthening their control of the classroom by allowing for mobility while sharing their screen.
‘Time is precious in the classroom, and the less time spent fiddling with wires or changing devices means more time to educate students.’
An effective technology and digital signage solution allows for a seamless visitor experience. Signage can point volunteers or other visitors to where they need to be, and can even allow for remote visiting or guest lectures. Effective collaboration solutions can allow visitors presenting in classrooms to seamlessly set their own devices up to screen share or join a hybrid class with a simple pin code and no unnecessary downloads or wires.
All students, remote or in-person, can experience classroom equity with effective technology solutions.
If technology could be more effortless, invisible almost, how would this change things?
Students can easily present in class, view their teachers screens, dial into a remote lesson, all from their own devices without complication. Successful collaboration technology doesn’t even feel like technology, it feels like a natural extension of the classroom.
Technology allows students to experience an equitable, modern classroom fit for everyone’s needs, and digital signage implementation allows students to feel safer with standardized safety alerts, experience an exciting and spirited environment with messages projected around campus, and much more.
Who stands to gain from well implemented technology—and what’s ahead for learning?
Effective technology solutions benefit everyone in the school system. Administrators rely on advanced technology to maintain effective learning, communication, safety, and entertainment across campuses, emphasizing the need for user-friendly, high-quality tech with cloud management capabilities to adapt to evolving education needs. For teachers, efficient tech saves time and enhances classroom control, while also enabling seamless visitor experiences and equitable learning for all students, whether in-person or remote. Technology is only going to continue to develop and remain a must-have in the classroom, so administrators should be prioritizing solutions that actually enhance the learning and teaching experience.
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Victor Rivero is the Editor-in-Chief of EdTech Digest. Write to: victor@edtechdigest.com
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