The growth of hybrid education will only continue exponentially, so understanding how workplace data analytics can help is key
What can technology do to revolutionise education, especially universities
Like many other sectors, education has experienced a seismic shift over recent years. The pandemic accelerated technological advancements – making way for long-term transformation. And as with any change impacting our next generation, the stakes are high.
That’s why ensuring the right tools are in place to ensure their educational success, is crucial.
Data analytics can be the key to harnessing the benefits of remote work or study arrangements while maintaining the desired attainment and well-being standards for colleagues and students alike.
Hybrid education: A new era
While within the schooling system, a business-as-usual – or students at desks — approach has returned; higher education establishments tell a different story. Because for many universities and colleges, the benefits of a hybrid approach to both teaching and learning live on.
After the more rigid experience of school and college, it’s no surprise that university students crave additional flexibility. And with technology paving the way to increased educational accessibility for students — whether due to additional needs, illness, or from a flexibility standpoint — it will always be a huge draw.
So, it stands to reason that usage of unified communications and collaboration (UC&C) tools such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom has remained high among the sector. But with that, comes an expectation that the platforms are fit for purpose – driving results, improving connections between students and staff, and helping engagement soar.
And what’s more, with increased remote capabilities, maintaining student wellbeing becomes ever trickier – especially amid the coursework pressures, exam stresses, and the myriad of social opportunities which characterise many-a-students’ experience of higher education.
Balancing the many facets of university life can prove tricky. But using data analytics, course leaders can garner further insights into everything from student performance, to engagement, and even wellbeing — aiding achievement, facilitating tailored support, and ensuring the best experience for the students in their care.
Meanwhile, with the opportunity to intervene with any emerging problems at an earlier stage, universities can reduce drop-outs and enhance outcomes for individuals and the institution as a whole.
With its intuitive dashboards at-a-glance feedback, Tiger Prism gives those that are directly able to action concerns the opportunity to intervene with any emerging problems at an earlier stage using secure role-based access to nominated staff rather than just centralised IT teams who are more focused on data relating to the non-humanistic requirements of managing a busy estate.
The hybrid workforce: Workplace data analytics
While students might be the first people to spring to mind when thinking about the education sector, behind the scenes there’s a whole workforce seeking out flexible ways of working – which often means hundreds of costly UC&C licenses.
Ensuring these are being used to their full potential, can be tricky. That’s why it’s prudent to keep abreast of any changes in usage, so that adjustments can be made to licenses as and when needed. But without the relevant tools in place, gathering insight around mass usage can be both time consuming and inaccurate.
Data analytics can help take the guesswork out of the process – identifying where spend is proving worthwhile, and where it may be possible to cut back.
As with students, it can also identify trends with technical challenges, engagement and wellbeing, providing opportunities to support staff and ensure a happy and productive working environment. Not only does this drive colleague retention, but it supports a positive culture which has benefits for all stakeholders.
Conquering clearing and enrolling new students
For those in the education space, clearing is one of the most financially important events of the year. An opportunity to enrol new students, against the backdrop of a plethora of other institutions trying to do the same, it’s vital that the process goes smoothly.
But with an influx of calls, it can be a highly stressful event. Especially considering the financial repercussions of missing a call, when the cost of a UK university place is at an all time high.
Using live dashboards and real-time reporting to monitor peak periods, call routing, and subsequent call hold times – organisations can respond to changes and adjust estate configuration and staffing levels accordingly. And meanwhile, with the resulting data, teams can analyse and interpret data to prepare for future years, driving an improved experience for callers while having a direct impact upon profitability.
Of-the-moment analysis can highlight technological issues too, leading to a reduction in missed calls and a more responsive approach to customer experience.
Often the very first impression that a potential student receives of an establishment, it’s a vital piece of the puzzle when it comes to selecting a place of learning.
Providing a single pane of glass through which to view your data, analytics help unlock a host of insights which can help educational institutions to stay ahead of the curve – with satisfied and engaged colleagues and students — long into the future.
This piece was written and provided by Ben Nicklen, CEO of Tiger
