Examples of Digital Signage for K-12 Schools | Chapter 3

In Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, we discussed the validity of digital signage for k-12 as an educational tool and how it could be used in the classroom.

In Chapter 3, we’ll look at how schools can use K-12 digital signage outside the classroom:

Real-world Examples of Digital Signage for K-12 Schools

Valley Christian High School (Arizona)

Arizona’s top christian high school, Valley Christian High School (VCHS), recently launched a one-to-one technology program that goes beyond simply providing students with an iPad. The program, which included digital signage implementation, is changing the way faculty instruct. It also changes the way students learn, collaborate and engage with their peers and faculty.

The school is using digital signage for K-12 inside and outside classrooms. In the class, the screens show educational programming and enhance previously mundane presentations with visual content, such as animations or video.

Outside the classroom, K-12 digital signage is de-cluttering VCHS’ hallways by getting rid of bulletin boards and posters. It is enabling school admins to display multiple messages at the same time. The screens can give equal publicity to the school’s community service project, upcoming football game and PTO meetings.

Digital signage also gives the school a lot of flexibility. From a centralized location, the digital signs can be customized with content relevant for the school day, for prospective family events or for athletic events. This allows the school to reach their targeted audiences with content that is relevant to their experience on the campus.

Marsing School District (Idaho)

Idaho’s Marsing School District, has a strong commitment to creating healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. Their mission? To educate all students to lead productive, satisfying and responsible lives, now and in the future.

Marsing School District participated in the HealthierUS School Challenge, part of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! campaign, and were awarded the silver medal.

As part of their commitment to raise a healthier generation of kids, the school district installed digital menu boards in the cafeteria. They’re leveraging the vibrant simulations and imagery in K-12 digital signage to draw the students’ attention to their messages about healthy food choices.

Displaying nutritional facts like calories, fat grams and protein makes students aware of their dietary intake. This improves the kids’ participation in healthier choices while decreasing waste. Healthy food entrees are also being promoted on the screens. Highlighting these options using bold colors, video and imagery motivates students to pick healthy options over pizzas or burgers.

Capital School District (Delaware)

In Chapter 1, we discussed how school going kids – digital natives – respond better to digital imagery and graphics over text. Capital School District wanted a communications solution that would incorporate these media in their messaging. That way, they would draw and keep the attention of students.

Digital signage proved to be effective in cutting through the paper clutter, and getting through to their tech-savvy students. The digital signs in the school display announcements, school news such as athletic achievements, events such as awards ceremonies, and building directories.

The displays quickly became information hubs. One of the few places students could look to for quick access to up-to-date information.

Digital signage for K-12 also proved to be cost-effective for Capital School District. Budgets are tightening so schools are looking to invest in solutions with a dual purpose. Digital signage gave the district a lot of digital real estate. Administrators can display multiple messages on the same screen at the same time.

The district can also use multiple screens in the same digital signage network for different purposes. Screens in the cafeteria are being used as menu boards, screens in lobby are being used as building directories and for wayfinding, and screens in the hallways are being used as announcement boards. In the event of an emergency, all the screens automatically display emergency alerts and safety instructions.

With students who are interested in what’s vibrant and dynamic, K-12 digital signage in Capital School District is continuing to provide a critical link between administrators and the student body and faculty.

Fremont School District (Michigan)

In late 2012, Fremont School District, serving two high schools, one middle school and two elementary schools, was going through some major updates. With the addition of a new high school, they were looking for technologies that would improve operational efficiency, especially in the cafeterias.

They replaced the static menus in the cafeteria with digital signage for K-12 to improve the flow of traffic during lunch.

The school started seeing the ROO of K-12 digital signage in just 6 months.

Both staff and students noticed and appreciated the benefits of the digital signs in the cafeteria. The digital menu boards clearly displayed food choices and nutritional information, as well as the station each meal was being served at. Lines moved faster and students had more time to eat.

The digital signage solution also improved operational efficiency. During the pilot, the district uploaded a 40-day lunch menu rotation in under an hour. And when they needed to make changes in the menu to reflect available inventory, all it took was a few clicks.

Digital signage for K-12 gave the school district more menu flexibility. It also improved lunchtime traffic, and gave the new high school a sharper look.

The district plans to add a student notification and emergency messaging system to the digital signage network. The new system will allow faster and efficient communication among teachers, staff and students with improved engagement.

Digital Signage for K-12: A Viable Solution

This three-part series looked at the validity of K-12 digital signage as a multipurpose education tool both in and outside the classroom. Digital signage proven to excel in both of these settings. But, it also works to bridge the generation gap between today’s students and their sometimes less tech-savvy educators.

For all involved, K-12 digital signage is a win-win.