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STAYING EDUCATED IN YOUR IT ENVIRONMENT
Aug 31st, 2016 by aperio

Technology affects all aspects of our lives nowadays, from the work we do right through to the way we do it. So much has changed in recent decades that generations at school today are far more adept at using these technological features than preceding age groups, and this trend is set to continue.

In education today, IT education is not only about teaching students and pupils what they need to learn to advance in the modern world, but is also about how various tools and techniques can help them learn more efficiently. Here are some of the main reasons why IT education solutions are so important.

Firstly, it is important to put in place an IT solution for schools as it can help students get the most out of learning. With many classes today utilising various devices and technologies to learn, ensuring that these are being used in the most efficient way possible to maximise the learning experience is very important.

Devices such as smart boards and tablets all have their role in the classroom, but being set up with right software and cloud computing options can make the difference between implementing new technology just for the sake of it – and often to great expense – and implementing it cost effectively and for maximum impact.

With more and more young people being extremely adept at using technology in the first place, having a solution that can meet their expectations can also make a huge difference for an educational institution. Whether primary, secondary or higher education, students can become more engaged in lessons where technology is used correctly and in an engaging, modern way.

The importance of great IT education solutions also rolls over into the independent research and leisure time of pupils or students at an educational institution. Although many devices used in the classroom can enhance learning, having great software and cloud computing options in place to facilitate independent study and research is extremely beneficial.

This can enhance learning in many ways and help the school meet its targets in many different areas of learning. Again, this can help encourage curiosity and motivation to learn for a technology-orientated generation.

The next way that IT education solutions are so important is for the impact that they have on teachers and other staff at school, improving their ways of working. Schools and educational institutions are busy, creative and constantly-evolving organisms, and any IT solution needs to be able to adapt along with the institution’s changing needs.

Tools such as Google for Schools mean that not only can students take advantage of the benefits of technology in the classroom, but so can the staff. This can assist the ease of lesson preparation for teachers, coordination of lesson plans between teachers managing the same classrooms, and accurate records for attendance and pupil performance maintained by staff at the school.

Many modern cloud based tools are extremely collaborative and facilitate greater information sharing and record keeping. For institutions looking to improve efficiency in the workplace for the benefit of the institution as a whole – students, staff and results – then implementing these solutions can make a huge defence.

IT education solutions have a huge role to play in modern education, and finding a service provider that can deliver these can make all the difference for an institution. For schools looking to make a huge difference for their staff and their learns, time should be spent looking for a company that is dedicated to helping your institution take advantage of all that technology has to offer.

This could include new devices, a new IT infrastructure and the integration of cloud computing into the everyday lives of students and staff. As technology and innovation constantly moves forward, this can help any institution reap great rewards in the present and in the future.

 

7-strategies-to-defend-against-cyber-attacks

Cybercrimes against small to medium sized businesses are on the rise in the US. Most of these businesses have no idea how secure their computer systems are or know how to guard them.

On top of that, these same companies don’t know what government security regulations they have to adhere to. Especially when they attempt to implement security policies to protect their data or client’s data. The results of a poorly executed or non-existent security plan could result in of data loss, client loss,  revenue loss and fines from government entities.

If you work or own one of these companies that I just described, it is imperative that you attend our Lunch & Learn, 7 Strategies to Defend Against Cyber-Attacks.

Some of the strategies we will discuss will be the perils of social engineering, training your staff to recognize the signs of a breach, and why constant monitoring of internal and external networks will help detect patterns of cybercrime.

This ESET sponsored event will include a delicious lunch, raffle prizes, and a Q & A Session at the end.

Come to our event and stay ahead of the threat.

 

you-may-bring-guests

DIY IS SHAPING OUR FUTURE
Mar 23rd, 2016 by aperio

We live in a time of rapidly changing technology. For example, 3D printing (also known as stereolithography or additive layer manufacturing, a process first patented in the 1980’s) is becoming more and more popular. It is already being used as a method for rapid prototyping for manufacturers, for doctors to create customized medical devices, and for individuals to create do-it-yourself projects. And recently, Amos Dudley, a 23 year old digital design student, has been in the news for creating his own braces using 3D printing.

It’s important to note that Dudley didn’t create his actual braces using 3D printing; however, the 3D printing was a key part of his process. He took a mold of his teeth using alginate powder, then used the casting to create digital models for multiple aligners, each for a different phase in re-aligning his teeth. Only then did he print those models using a 3D printer. From that point Dudley was able to create aligners from orthodontic grade retainer plastic he purchased on Ebay. The quality of this plastic was important both because Dudley needed to be certain it wouldn’t release toxic chemicals while in his mouth and because 3D printed plastic is too porous, potentially allowing the growth of unhealthy bacteria.

Dudley’s case is a excellent example of the risks and rewards presented by using DIY technology compared to conventional methods, and the conditions necessary to make it a worthwhile option. As a design student, Dudley had access to 3D printers, which helped to keep his costs down. He also had the time and willingness to carefully research orthodontic processes and materials, which reduced the risk of doing serious damage to his teeth or gums. Without this particular combination of factors, 3D printing might not have been a viable solution.

So does Dudley’s success mean orthodontists will be going out of business any time soon? Probably not. Dudley himself notes in his blog that his do-it-yourself aligners were required only to resolve issues that came up due to failure to use his retainers after previously having standard braces. It’s unlikely that an amateur would be able to perform the sort of evaluation an orthodontist with ten or so years of advanced schooling can, including knowledge of how the process of moving teeth can affect the long term health of teeth and gums.

However, at the very least the orthodontic industry should be taking note of 3D printing’s presence as a disruptive technology – that is, a technology with the potential to displace an established one or to “shake up” existing industries or in extreme cases, to create an entirely new industry. In this case, awareness of new technologies may cause consumers to question why they should pay the current high prices for orthodontic appliances. These new technologies may also allow greater competition in the form of cheaper appliances.

Do-it-yourself technologies such as 3D printing are a double edged sword for consumers. While they offer exciting opportunities, there will always be a need to evaluate the balance between lower costs versus the knowledge experts brings to any process.

Read more:
History of 3D printing
Examples of 3D printing printed organs, aerospace industry, and more.
Examples of disruptive technologies

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