Best Practices for Backing Up Your Data

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Cyber-crime and data loss are ever increasing in today’s technology-reliant society. The loss of important company data and client records can be damaging for businesses. If you are yet to experience some level of data loss, you may be considered one of the lucky ones. 

There is always the risk of an accident or malicious behaviour impacting your business’ data. To avoid this happening to your business, we explain how you can protect your data through backup methods, and set yourself up for a secure future. 

Identify the important files you need to backup

Firstly, you will need to identify which data or files are most important to your business. Most commonly, this is customer billing history, client details and work history, contracts and so forth. For these essential documents, it is often best to consider multiple backup solutions. Depending on the documents sizes and importance, you may wish to store copies on at least two of the following methods. 

USBs, Flash Drives or External Hard Drives  

Every business has a random drawer filled with these small, portable storage devices. USBs are useful for storing and transferring files from one device to another. However, the amount of storage is restrictive, and they are often easily misplaced or damaged due to their size. 

External hard drives are probably the most popular backup method used by small businesses. Unfortunately, similar to a USB, hard drives have a reputation for failing at any time without notice or warning. 

Using Remote Storage

To ensure your backup efforts are not in vain, you should store your backup data off-site or at least off-sever. This means that your backups will remain viable and recoverable even if your central server is compromised. Remote storage can be done using a physical dedicated server or a cloud-based server. 

Here at eStorm, we offer reliable, flexible and secure colocation and server hosting services. Find out more about how we can help you store your data securely today. 

Cloud Backup 

Investing in and implementing a cloud backup truly is the most viable and trusted solution. To transfer and store your data on the cloud, you can individually select the files or sync your entire device. Cloud data is stored in a secure location with a form of encryption, ensuring your data is always protected. 

For more information on cloud storage and how it can help you manage your data, check out our Private Cloud services. 

How often should you be backing up your data?

To effectively backup your data, you will need to ensure you are backing up your data frequently and regularly. The frequency of how often you backup your data will depend on how often your data is updated. For example, if critical data is continuously updated your business will need a more frequent backup schedule. 

How long do you need to store your old backups?

Once you have determined the frequency of your backups, you will need to consider how long each backup should be retained. Storing every backup simply is not feasible and it can limit the amount of storage space available to your business. 

Depending on industry standards, there may also be legal requirements imposed upon your business to retain certain data for a set period. Most commonly, businesses will retain their monthly or bi-annual data backups for as long as possibly allowed by their servers. 

Encrypting and Protecting Your Backups 

Depending on the data contained in your backups, you may need to secure the data in an off-site location. Physical data centres provide several security features to physically protect your data. However, it is always best to encrypt your files to ensure your data is protected if a breach was to occur.  

It is best to stay updated on your security hardware and software. Doing this will ensure that it is working at its highest performance capability. Staying up-to-date with new updates will keep your system working with the most current anti-malware and antivirus protection. 

Website and Database backup 

No business is ever exempt or safe from hackers. Many say small businesses are ‘too small to be hacked’; however, this makes them a perfect target. Here are a two methods to implement a secure backup for your site:

  • Request a copy of your website and database files from your developers and secure these in a nearby location. 
  • Often the best and most secure solution is to implement a cloud backup of your entire site. Doing this, allows you to restore the previous version of your site before it was hacked. 

Having access to your data no matter what happens to your system is vital to running a successful business. By partnering with eStorm, we can help you decide how often and through what method your business can use to backup your data. If you are interested in creating secure backups of your business’ data, speak to the friendly eStorm team today!

The Pros and Cons of Chromebooks: Are They Suitable for Students?

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eStorm has seen a rise in popularity for Chrome OS and G-Suite in classrooms, but many schools and teachers are still cautious about introducing Chromebooks to classrooms as they are not sure whether the device’s capabilities can meet the demanding needs of many school students.

So teachers are able to make a more informed decision, we’ve put together a list of Pros and Cons for Chromebooks in schools.

What is a Chromebook?

Chromebooks are notebooks and 2-in-1’s (tablet + notebook) that run on Google’s Chrome OS rather than more traditional platforms like Windows 10 and MacOS.

Chrome OS is an operating system based on the Chrome browser that most students, teachers and parents are already familiar with. In 2011, Chrome OS was disparaged by many and considered nothing more than a glorified browser. Many people still hold onto this initial opinion of the operating system, but almost a decade later the world has fully embrace the cloud and Chromebooks are also able to run various Android and many Linux apps, making them much more versatile and an attractive option for those seeking a new device that won’t break the bank.

Chromebooks for Students: The Pros

1. Costs

Chromebooks can be up to 60% cheaper for schools to procure than standard laptops (especially if purchased through a reseller like eStorm). This is because Chrome OS does not have demanding hardware requirements, making the devices smaller, lighter, and less expensive than the average laptop. This also means that many manufacturers, such as ASUS, can create modular Chromebooks that can be fixed fairly easily, quickly, and cheaply.

2. Share-ability

Chromebooks and Chrome OS are designed for sharing. Multiple devices can be deployed to each classroom in your school, and students need to simply log in to their Google account from any Chromebook to access their assignments and documents. Likewise, if a student forgets their Chromebook at home or school, they can easily access their learning materials from any other device just by logging into their account. No more ‘I lost my assignment’ or ‘I left it at home!’ excuses.

3. G Suite for Education:

Schools are able to keep costs down in the long run as there are no licensing fees to keep Chrome OS and Google apps updated. The use of G-Suite for Education is completely free, and offers everything you’ll ever need such as:

  • Google Classroom, Assignments and Forms: Google’s Classroom app allows teachers to create lessons, share assignments with students and parents, track their students’ progress, and much more! For students, the app creates a hub for them to keep track of assignments and due dates, and collaborate easily with other students and teachers.
  • Docs, Slides and Sheets: Create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations and have them save automatically to the cloud. Teachers and students can edit files and instantly have them available for review.

4. Improved Productivity

The no-nonsense, simplified and clutter-free Chrome OS platform aides students in delving into their work without much distraction. Google Admin Console also provides the opportunity for parents and teachers to place locks and demands on devices to ensure students are getting the most out of their study time.

5. Device Deployment and Management

Easily distribute 1 or 1000 devices through the Chrome partner ecosystem. Schools are able to manage thousands of devices and set over 200 policies and demands via the Admin Console, including; pre installing and blocking apps, customising user features, and managing user and network access. Administrators are able to ‘Powerwash’ Chromebooks to easily restore them to a factory default state.

6. Ruggedised Designs

Because Chromebooks do not need the same hardware requirements that more powerful Windows and Macs rely on, they are considered to be some of the toughest notebooks for the classroom. Many of them can survive drops from up to 1.2m, have rubber edges for shock absorbency, and are spill-and-tamper-resistant.

 

Chromebooks for Students: The Cons

1. Offline Capabilities

Because Chrome OS is mainly cloud and web based, Chromebooks are not as functional when they are offline with no internet connection. Students are still able to access Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets files as long as they enable offline mode before being out of service coverage.

2. Storage Capacity

Chromebooks and Chrome OS’ entire purpose is to focus on cloud-based storage, which means most devices only have a local storage capacity of up to 32GB. This is also another reason why manufacturers are able to cut down on costs. However, if your students are desperate to have more space on their Chromebooks, models with micro-SD drives can be purchased.

3. No Adobe Suite

Adobe has announced they are working on a version of Photoshop that can be used via a web browser, however there is no timeline for this. Consequently, if your students are currently using Adobe Suite it will be almost impossible to use the software on a Chromebook. While there are alternatives in the Android library (such as Pixlr for basic photo editing) these apps do not come close to the capabilites of the Adobe Suite.

4. No Installed Microsoft

Since Chromebooks rely on Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides, the devices are not designed for compatibility with desktop versions of Microsoft Office (Word, Powerpoint, and Excel). Yes, you can download the Microsoft apps from the Android library or run the online versions, but you will find that they do not offer all of the functions and capabilities of installed versions.

5. Hardware

Most Chromebooks on the affordable end have very basic processors, which means running graphic and memory intensive games/applications may cause lagging or crashes. It is possible to purchase Chromebooks that have more powerful processors (including Intel Core i5 and i7) but these won’t come cheap.

The Verdict

Overall, Chromebooks are an affordable and efficient device students can utilise for most everyday schooling tasks – writing assignments, researching, and watching videos. The battery life of Chromebooks generally last a complete school day, and they are even more worthy of consideration if teachers and students rely on G Suite for most of their learning materials.

However, if your students require more powerful hardware to access applications such as the Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office, and video editing software, then a more traditional Windows or Mac notebook is recommended.

eStorm: Your Device Procurement Experts

If you’re interested in procuring Chromebooks, eStorm can help! We’ve partnered with ASUS to provide Chromebooks that are not only affordable but designed specifically for the use (and abuse) of classrooms.

Check out the ASUS Education Solutions Handbook and contact us for any enquiries!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Apple Silicon M1 Chip – Everything You Need To Know!

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Whether it be on the radio, the news, or from your co-workers and friends, you’ve probably heard whispers of excitement over the new Apple Silicon processor for Macs, officially announced on November 11. Or if you haven’t, you’re now probably wondering – what is the new Apple Silicon chip?

For over a decade, Apple’s world class design and development team has been building and refining Apple silicon for iPads and iPhones, while they have simultaneously relied solely on Intel to provide processors for their Macs. The transition to their own homegrown processor represents the biggest and boldest leap ever for the Mac, but it will take up to two years to complete the shift from Intel. Nevertheless, Apple has already unveiled three Macs powered by Apple Silicon; available for orders as of 11 November 2020: the MacBook Air, the MacBook Mini, and the MacBook Pro. 

The Apple Silicon M1 Chip

“With industry-leading performance, powerful features, and incredible efficiency, M1 is Apple’s first chip designed specifically for the Mac”

The seismic and daring shift from Intel to Apple M1 enables Apple to create an experience on Macs that is more consistent with that of iPads and iPhones, and allows Apple to have more control and flexibility over the launch cycles and features for its notebooks and desktops.  Combined with macOS Big Sur, M1 delivers extraordinary battery life, maximum performance capabilities, and access to more software and apps than ever before.

The Apple M1 is a 5nm 8 core System-on-Chip (SoC) with 16 billion transistors and an integrated 8 core graphics processor (GPU).

 

What This Means for Future Apple Macs

The best CPU performance per Watt: The 8-core CPU (consisting of 4 high performance cores and 4 high efficiency cores) provides industry-leading performance while running as efficiently as possible. This means photographers are able to edit high-resolution photos at lightning speed and developers can build apps nearly 3x faster than before!

Faster Integrated Graphics: The M1 includes Apple’s most advanced GPU. Featuring up to 8 powerful cores capable of running nearly 25,000 threads simultaneously, the GPU can handle extremely demanding tasks with ease. This includes smooth playback of multiple 4k streams and rendering complex 3D scenes.

Blazing-fast On-Device Machine Learning: The Neural Engine in M1 enables up to 15x faster machine learning performance, so tasks like video analysis, voice recognition and image processing will have a level of performance never before seen on the Mac.

MacOs Big Sur Optimised for M1: Apple’s latest macOs is engineered to take full advantage of the capability and power of M1. It delivers a massive boost in performance, incredible battery life and the strongest security protections on the market. Macs will instantly wake from sleep, and iPhone/iPad apps can now run directly on the Mac.

The Next Generation of Mac

 

MacBook Air: A Thin and Light Powerhouse

Boasting the title of one of the world’s best-selling 13-inch notebooks, the M1 chip will take the MacBook air to extraordinary new heights.

The powerful 8 core CPU and GPU allows it to perform 3.5x faster than its predecessors and run immersive graphics-intensive games up to 5x faster. It’s fanless design means no matter what users are doing, it remains silent at all times. It also features astonishing battery life, with up to 15 hours of wireless web browsing and up to 18 hours of video playback (compared to approx. 11 hours on previous generations).

From November 11, it will no longer be possible to buy MacBook Airs with an Intel CPU.

 

13-inch MacBook Pro: More Powerful, More Pro

The 13-inch MacBook Pro is Apple’s most popular pro notebook and combines high performance with a portable design. The introduction of M1 to the MacBook Pro will allow professionals to channel their creativity and provide the tools students need to succeed. Enjoy a system that is 2.8x faster than its predecessor thanks to its 8 core CPU, and take advantage of remarkably smooth graphics performance due to its 8 core GPU. Other new features include studio-quality mics and Apple’s latest camera ISP, which enables sharper images on video calls.

Apple claims the 13-inch MacBook Pro is up to 3x faster than the best-selling Windows laptop in its class, and now boasts up to 17 hours of wireless web browsing and 20 hours of video playback – up to twice the battery life of the previous generation and the longest battery life ever on a Mac.

Unlike the MacBook Air, you can still purchase a 13-inch MacBook Pro with an Intel CPU, but you’ll be paying a considerably higher price for them compared to their M1 counterparts.

 

Mac mini: Staggering Performance, Ultra-Compact Design

The Mac mini is by far Apple’s most versatile computer, and with M1 it combines incredible performance and new features with the compact design many users have come to love. M1’s 8 core CPU and GPU make for a faster desktop that delivers a massive 6x increase in graphics performance, allowing users to play graphics-intensive games like “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” with 4x higher frame rates.

Mac mini also features an advanced thermal design to remain cool and quiet throughout heavy usage and supports up to two displays (including Apple Pro’s Display XDR in 6K resolution).

The Mac mini will also continue to offer options with Intel CPUs, but like the MacBook Pro, these will be priced higher than M1 minis.

 

Watch Apple’s ‘One More Thing’ event for a complete overview on their latest announcements and products!

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What happens to my Intel Mac after Apple completes the switch to M1?

Considering Apple is still releasing products with Intel CPU’s and it will take 2 years to complete the switch to M1, it should be expected that Apple will continue to provide support and updates for Intel Macs for years to come. This is backed by the fact that Big Sur, Apple’s newest macOS update, will be compatible with MacBook Pros from 7 years ago!

What are the major benefits of M1? 

Longer battery life, faster performance, and enhanced graphics on the new Macs are the major benefits of Apple’s M1 chip. Combining those with the cost-effectiveness, and the ability to access all of your apps across all your Apple devices, makes it hard to deny this is a major upgrade for Mac products.

Intel vs M1: Which Mac is right for me? 

While the M1 boasts myriad new features, we understand it can be difficult to say goodbye to what we’re used to, especially considering Intel has been the trusted leader of CPU’s for over 15 years. While Apple is still offering a range of Macs available with Intel processors, it is predicted most versions of Macs will be transferring over to M1 by late 2021. It is therefore recommended that you purchase the M1 Macs if you are currently in the market for a new device, HOWEVER please check with eStorm before doing so as your current software may not be compatible with Big Sur or the M1 chip. Big Sur, Apple’s latest macOs update, is also expected to run marvellously on M1’s, as it was specifically engineered to accommodate the new chip.

What’s Big Sur?

Big Sur (or MacOs 11) is Apple’s newest desktop and laptop operating system, released on November 12 2020. It is full of new and redesigned features that make for a better user experience, and is compatible with Apple’s new M1 devices along with its older Intel-based machines. It features a revamped Safari browser, improved privacy features, and the option to have widgets on your home screen. More info on the Big Sur update can be found here: https://www.apple.com/macos/big-sur/

Need More Info? Contact eStorm Today for Further Enquiries!

 

It is time to start teaching cybersecurity in schools

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It is Australian Cyber Week and to celebrate, we’ve decided to dive into why teachers need to start teaching students about cybersecurity.

We teach children about crossing the street and avoiding strangers from a young age, and it is now just as important that we do the same with cyber safety. Students are being introduced to new technologies at a rapid rate from a young age. Now, hackers and fraudsters are increasingly targeting young students online.

Why do students need to be aware of cybersecurity?

Students are every bit as skilled as their parents when it comes to modern technology. They know how to download apps, create multiple accounts, circumvent age restrictions and access “blocked” sites. Further to this, young students have their own way of seeing and understanding the world. For example, sharing their internet access or personal information is often not seen as ‘big deal’.

Hackers are now targeting more children as they have easy access to the internet and smartphone apps, and are not educated on cyber risks. When targeting adults, cybercriminals will send phishing emails or links, hoping users will click on them. When targeting children or teenagers, they often disguise the attack through “free games” links and advertisements.

When should we start teaching students about cyber safety?

While it may seem like the only option is to block computer access, it may not be the best long-term approach. Students will always find a way around restrictions, and by not teaching cyber safety, cyber-attacks will continue to increase.

Schools are well versed when it comes to teaching about cyber-bullying; however, students are very naive to cyberattacks. Teaching cyber safety doesn’t need to be dull or difficult – by using age-appropriate teaching materials, you can link safety tips to situations students can relate to, and make it easy to understand for all ages.

How can you teach cyber safety?

There are many well-established cybersecurity programs available for schools. However, finding time in the week to teach these safety modules will likely result in over-stretching teachers and students. Ideally, teachers should be integrating cybersecurity tips into other lessons where it is relevant.

For example, if students are signing up to a new educational tool in class, you can talk about the dangers and ramifications of signing up to an untrusted website. Alternatively, when working on iPads with younger students, you can reiterate that they should never give out their address to anyone on the internet.

However, the responsibility for teaching cyber safety is not just on teachers; parents need to become more involved as well. By parents becoming more familiar with cyber safety information, they can better support and guide their child through new technology. If you are unsure about how to approach a cybersecurity matter, you are best to remain cautious and check in with the Australian Cyber Security Centre for support.

Cyber attacks are one of the greatest threats to businesses, governments and societies. When new technologies are introduced, they often carry new, unpredictable and damaging vulnerabilities. However, the future does not need to be bleak when it comes to cybersecurity or avoiding cyber attacks. As we continue to incorporate technology into every aspect of our lives, we need to take opportunities to teach our students basic cybersecurity skills and prepare them for the future.

For more information on how your student devices can be protected from cyber attacks, contact the friendly eStorm team today. If you would like more information on classroom technology, read our recent blog on how to incorporate technology into the curriculum.

Using Technology to Support Curriculum Development

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Technology has changed our day-to-day lives, the way we work and study, and how we spend our leisure time. Technology has an important part to play in the design and development of a curriculum and has the potential to be an engaging and challenging experience for students. Utilising current technology in the classroom supports teachers in improving learning outcomes.

Integrating technology into the classroom and our everyday teaching isn’t just about replicating what we already do. It is about offering new ways of working and offering students new ways of interacting with information.

As an Apple Education Solution Partner, we have worked extensively with schools. Over this time, we have noticed that to successfully implement technology into the curriculum, schools need:

  • A strong and supportive leadership team,
  • Clear priorities and goals,
  • Careful planning to achieve a shared curriculum vision,
  • Involving teachers at all levels in the curriculum change, and
  • Having a well-managed and robust technical infrastructure.

What do you want your curriculum to achieve?

When looking for opportunities to improve your curriculum with technology, you will need to establish a clear vision. In this vision, you will need to identify your key priorities, record your starting point (to reflect on later), and define goals.

When identifying your priorities, you will need to consider what you need to focus on to ensure that technology is enriching and enhancing the curriculum. A good foundational start is considering how you can build on your students’ engagement, their motivation to learn and encourage their aspirations.

By recording your starting point, you can identify how the school and its curriculum is currently supported by technology. You can also use this opportunity to judge your students’ and teachers’ ICT (Information Communication Technology) capability. From here, you can set clear goals and expectations that you want to see through extending and supporting the curriculum through technology.

Where does your current pedagogy fall short?

When first analysing and experimenting how technology could fit into your classroom, look for available opportunities. Start by researching for apps that could help students understand difficult concepts. You may notice that there may be a device or tablet that assists students struggling in some areas. For example, visual learners may benefit from a tablet when understanding literacy.

Shaping the curriculum in real-time

Tracking progress and differentiating learning through technology is useful for understanding if students have grasped concepts. Polling and quizzing apps can be integrated into lessons to gauge when you can move forward with a lesson. Using classroom workflow apps can also assist you and your teaching team to help deliver lessons that are customised to individual students’ needs.

Keep looking for new opportunities

The key to maintaining a modern and valuable curriculum is continually looking for new ways to incorporate technology to maximise student participation and learning. Signing up to mailing lists, a quick search of the web or browsing Pinterest can help provide you with information on the newest technology suited for the classroom.

How technology can impact a student

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that our curriculum needs to be flexible in adaptation to accommodate the student’s location. Using technology to vary the pace and space to make learning more engaging is a step closer to meeting the needs of every student. Technology can now support virtual visits for teachers and students as well as ‘virtual tours’ to support lesson plans.

Some educators are using online technology to facilitate 1:1 support or moderate safe social networks, and encourage students to collaborate by sharing work. Some are also using online messenger services of email and encourage tailored support for students in need of extra support.

Why should you update the curriculum?

Teaching and learning takes place in different forms for different students and different classes. The core purpose of the curriculum is to set out what all students are required to learn. However, new studies continue to show that each student learns in unique ways at their own pace. Therefore, their learning expectations and experience is not going to be at the same rhythm or the same location as others.

Integrating technology makes it possible for teachers to become more flexible about when and where teaching and learning can take place. This also makes it easier for the curriculum to be built on students’ interests and abilities.

To learn about more opportunities to integrate technology into the classroom, or if you are wanting to upskill your teachers to effectively use these new tools in lesson plans, contact the friendly eStorm team at any time on 1300 378 676 or [email protected]

 

An update on our Apple Education Solution Partnership

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Here at eStorm, we have been working closely with Apple to provide the best solutions for our education partners. Recently, Apple refined the criteria to become an Apple Education Solution Specialist. We are excited to announce that we have continued to qualify as specialists in this field.

Why do we partner with Apple?

For over 40 years, Apple has been assisting educators to unlock student’s creative potential. Not only does Apple achieve this through powerful technology, but tools and curriculum that inspires and engages students. There is something unique about taking a device out of a box, plugging it in and being able to start using it straight away.

The Apple Education Solution Specialist criteria requires us to demonstrate an ability to assist schools from the inception of their Apple device initiative, all the way through to roll out. This also includes supporting IT departments and teachers, as well as school management along the way.

As an Apple Education Partner, we have been recognised for our work with educational institutions to provide tailored solutions for students and schools across Australia.

Specialised For You

Our team undertakes continual training to ensure our macOS and iOS technology knowledge is up-to-date. Under the Device Enrolment Program, we have access to tools to assist your school in implementing automate device enrolment through Apple School Manager. Such tools allow us to:
Assist Schools to automate device enrolment with Apple School Enrolment,
Manage student and staff devices with Mobile Device Management, and
Deploy devices to staff and students complete with Apple education tools such as Classroom and Classwork.

Understanding Your Needs

After working closely with schools in the past, we now understand that the needs of the schools are beyond just the device. We know the key to developing great programs is liaising closely with the leadership team, teachers and the community. To create a positive impact on teaching and learning, the eStorm team provides professional learning opportunities to incorporate content into the classroom. These include Apple Teacher, Everyone Can Code and Everyone Can Create.

Apple Authorised Service Provider Bonus

As an Authorised Service Provider, we can connect your school with the right devices that best enables your students to achieve their academic goals. By partnering with eStorm, we can offer education discounts for:

  • Faculty or staff members of public and private higher education institutions in Australia
  • Employees of public or private K–12 institutions in Australia
  • School board members who are currently serving as elected or appointed members in Australia
  • Parents and citizens/friends (P&C/P&F) executives currently serving as elected or appointed members in Australia
  • Qualifying homeschools in Australia
  • Employees of a public or private, profit or non-profit preschool in Australia.

Find out more about how partnering with eStorm as Apple Solution Experts can benefit your school today.

 

The newest technologies to introduce into your classroom

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New and advancing technologies are shaping almost every aspect of our lives. It is no surprise then that the typical classrooms are starting to shift to incorporate new educational opportunities. As access to technology increases, so does the technical literacy and savviness of our students. Teachers are now leveraging all kinds of technology to engage students and provide immersive learning experiences.

Creating personalised learning experiences

Introducing technology into the classroom isn’t about replacing teachers; it is about supporting the delivery of a lesson while also providing a personalised experience for the students. In the past, there has been a stronger push for the education system to shift standardised testing and start making allowances for each child’s unique learning style.

These new technologies introduce students to the concept of blended learning, where they become their own directors of when, where, and how fast they move through an activity. Additionally, many new technologies are built-in with the ability to analyse student behaviours and can adapt the lesson in real-time depending on the student’s strengths and weaknesses.

Let’s take a look at how these new forms of technology are being used today.

Augmented, virtual and mixed reality

These forms of transformative technologies are supporting the instructions given by teachers as well as creating immersive lessons to be fun and engaging for students of all levels.

These adapted lesson plans can include a way for students to experience:

  • A virtual reality roller coaster during a physics lesson,
  • Going on a virtual field trip to ancient Greece during a history class,
  • Providing a way for students to deep-dive into molecular structures, or
  • Compare the real size of dinosaurs to nearby trees or buildings in the schoolyard.

The lesson plan ideas are endless with the introduction of augmented, virtual and mixed reality technologies in the classroom. Start transforming your classroom today by using these three augmented reality apps.

Devices

We have already seen the huge impact one-to-one devices have made on the education industry. However, there is still a clear divide and disadvantage for students of lower socio-economic background whose parents cannot afford a device for each of their children. The effects of this were further seen during the remote-learning period at the start of this year due to COVID-19.

Students who leave school unfamiliar with technology or with the risks and responsibilities associated with it will lag behind their peers when it comes to further education, jobs and general life skills.

Artificial intelligence

Having access to virtual assistants in the classroom can assist students who may be struggling to comprehend tricky concepts. This allows teachers to spend their spare time on students who may have higher needs. The use of AI in the classroom can also create a personalised learning experience tailored to their strengths, weaknesses and needs.

Gamification

Children have always learned through play, with lessons revolving around hands-on experiences and creativity. The shift in our educational system has seen an increase in classrooms being more ‘sit still, listen and learn the facts.’ We are potentially reaching an enlightened age in education, whereby play is re-introduced to the classroom, and students are experiencing a more immersive and engaging learning experience.

3D Printing

3D printing has slowly been introduced into Australian classrooms for some time now and is being used to assist students coming to grips with complex concepts. Furthermore, students are now able to bring their designs to life or assist in providing visual representations of what they can interact with.

We are seeing an increase in 3D printing being used in subjects such as Chemistry where students can print molecules in 3D. History students are also able to print out models of historical artefacts.

Robots and Coding

Robots have made an incredible impact on today’s classrooms by assisting in the teaching of coding. Robots are not just reserved for older students; small and simple bots can help very young students to understand sequencing, estimation and problem-solving concepts.

It is often said that coding will be the next universal language as well as an essential skill for many new jobs. Using robots to teach this topic in a fun and engaging way will hopefully support students who wish to explore new and advancing industries when they finish school. Students get instant feedback since the robot either behaves according to their intentions or doesn’t, exposing a bug in the code that students must then fix themselves.

Drones

A key element of today’s education pedagogy is encouraging students to view information from a variety of perspectives. Drones can assist in doing that in a literal way, by leveraging their interest and love of technology to show them different ways of looking at the world or viewing a physical problem.

Drones can be used in several ways, such as:

  • Using footage to stimulate writing exercises,
  • Mapping the path of the drone to learn about distance and time,
  • Flying a drone to help improve hand and eye coordination, and
  • Encouraging physical activity and education by filming their movements and discussing them later.

Not sure where to start?

The potential for technology to influence the way we teach or engage students isn’t just limited to the ones mentioned. Rather, as new and emerging technologies change the way we work and live, they will inevitably find their way into classrooms, preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges.

To help you start transforming your classroom to take advantage of these new opportunities:

  • Microsoft has released a free challenge to students in year 7 to 12 to learn about AI, known as the AI for Good Challenge.
  • SpheroEdu also has a new platform for teachers and students to start learning and testing their coding skills to move robots.

To learn about more opportunities to integrate technology into the classroom, or if you are wanting to upskill your teachers to effectively use these new tools in lesson plans, contact the friendly eStorm team at any time on 1300 378 676 or [email protected].

Minecraft: Education Edition and Coding

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The latest new feature in Minecraft: Education Edition makes it possible for students to learn how to code while playing the game.

Known as Code Builder, the feature is ]available now in beta for Minecraft: Education Edition. Code Builder is a tool that shows up in the game as a robot. Users can interact with the game through the robot using the learn-to-code platforms such as Tynker, Scratch and MakeCode.

The feature isn’t limited to those introductory platforms — Becker added that “you can go as far as you want with the tools that we provide in Code Builder.” For instance, people who know JavaScript can code directly in that language without the in-game robot.

Minecraft: Education Edition is open to students, teachers and staff at K-12 schools, colleges, universities, libraries, museums and other qualifying institutions. It is available on Windows 10 and Mac OS

Now FREE – iWork, iMovie and GarageBand

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Apple quietly rolled out updated versions of its iWork, iMovie and GarageBand apps on Mac and iOS today, making them free for all customers on both platforms.
Many customers already had free copies of these apps, as they came free with new Mac or iOS devices. The pricing change removes the requirement to have bought new Apple hardware to get the apps for free. This expands the apps’ reach to anyone using Apple devices, even if they didn’t but new new or are using older devices.

iWork is actually a suite of productivity apps — Numbers, Keynote and Pages to rival Microsoft Office and Google Docs. GarageBand and iMovie are more directed to consumer and education, for music and video editing.

Prior to the price change, the Mac versions of the iWork apps were $19.99 and the iOS versions were $9.99 each. iMovie and GarageBand for Mac were $14.99 and $4.99, respectively, and their iOS counterparts were $4.99 on the App Store.
Since late 2013, Apple had been bundling these apps with new devices or making them free to download.

Below is a list of the now free apps, along with the software version requirements needed to run the latest versions:

iWork Mac: macOS 10.12 or later
iWork iOS: iOS 10.0 or later
iMovie Mac: macOS 10.11.2 or later
iMovie iOS: iOS 9.3 or later
GarageBand Mac: macOS 10.10 or later
GarageBand iOS: iOS 10.2 or later

Skype Translation Services breaking down language barriers

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Microsoft, through Skype and its other translation services, is making it even easier for people to share information across the globe.  Skype Translator can help you communicate in 8 languages for voice calls, and in more than 50 languages while instant messaging.

With the advent of the internet, there are fewer barriers to communication than ever before. Distance is no longer a barrier to  talking to each other. Now, with more advancements in technology and software, language will soon not be an impediment either.

These innovations are not just useful for social or business purposes. More medical practitioners, scientists, teachers and leaders are collaborating  across the globe. Increased functionality from these services will allow such collaboration to be even more widely, and readily available with language no longer being the hurdle.