2021 Top IT Trends to Watch out for in the Higher Education Landscape!
2020 was a year like no other! The Covid-19 pandemic impacted the world in unimaginable ways and posed unforeseen challenges in all industries and sectors, and higher education was no exception.
We don’t think anyone can challenge the fact that the academic year 2020-21 will go down as one of the most operationally challenging, anxiety-creating, and most expensive years in the history of US higher education. But as we put all the trauma of the pandemic behind and pave our way into the ‘new normal’, there are new challenges that need to be addressed with urgency in order to support an institution’s vision, culture and business model.
There’s a need for flexible and agile solutions that ensure equality and quality education for all. This will ensure that they don’t fall behind in their educational pathway.
Apart from providing on-campus facilities, there’s a need to provide smarter solution for after-hours IT support for higher education.
Colleges and universities should embrace innovations and ride on the wave of digital transformation. Let’s discuss some of such needs/trends in detail below:
- Affordability, Digital Equity, and Use of Technology
One of the primary shifts that can be foreseen is the breakaway from the traditional models of teaching. A chatbot is a perfect example of a hands-off, future-proof technology that can support students and staff, especially when considering providing 24X7 IT support for higher education.
- IT Help Desk Support for Higher Education
In the Higher Education industry, the role of consistent, high-quality IT help desk support cannot be more relevant than the present times! Students are expecting remote support to be instantly delivered via phone, email, live chat, chatbot, or other self-service options for their unique needs. Faculty expects IT help desk services to make their job easier.
Hence, with the primary objective of doing more with less, setting up the right IT help desk for higher education can prove to be highly effective in reducing costs, increasing productivity, and providing an enhanced experience to students.
Blackbelthelp is one such Higher education IT support provider which helps institutions in maintaining a consistent and comprehensive service delivery. It not only creates a 24×7 or after-hours IT support ecosystem at the institution but also delivers a seamless and satisfactory end-user experience. It’s round-the-clock hi-tech IT, SIS, LMS support caters to the students’, faculty, and staff’s unique needs.
- Information Security
With the world going digital rapidly, it’s hard to ignore the importance of cybersecurity. And since universities are a treasure trove of sensitive information, it’s important to have the right measures in place to protect sensitive information. Things like student payment data, research, and so on can’t be risked to a cyber thief. By taking a few key steps to ensure security, universities can better protect their students, faculty, and reputations.
With all this in mind, we should move forward and adapt to the changing times by implementing what’s best for the future. As it is only through providing a seamless support to common challenges for online learning, institutions can win this race of improving learning outcomes and enhancing student satisfaction!