Digitisation of schools: district provides information online

In order to provide even better information about the current state of digitalisation in schools, the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg has set up a large topic area on its website. From the fibre optic cable in the ground to the tablet in the classroom: interested parties can find a lot of useful information online about which steps are being implemented to make schools fit for the digital future.

When will my school be digitised? Who provides which end devices? Where can I get the software I need? In addition to a lot of basic information about the digital pact and the state of expansion at the schools, the district has also compiled answers to these and other questions on the online portal. Since there is also an overlap in matters of digitisation with the tasks of the State Education Authority in Fritzlar, which is responsible for the district, the district worked together with the State Education Authority when creating the site - and also integrated a lot of helpful information from the Education Authority into the site.

Online survey on the information offered
"Naturally, many questions arise in connection with digitalisation - among children and young people, parents, teachers, but also among school administrators and the school community. It is important to us to provide up-to-date and diverse information about the current status. That is why we created the platform," explains District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst. To ensure that no question remains unanswered, interested parties can also take part in an online survey so that the service and information can be constantly updated. The district's schools have also already been asked for feedback. The info will be gradually incorporated and constantly updated. "Only if we know what topics move people in connection with digitalisation in schools can we react - and provide targeted information." The district is therefore happy to receive feedback in this way.

Equip schools as quickly as possible
"The goal of our digitalisation strategy in schools is to equip all buildings with the appropriate technology as quickly as possible," the district administrator continues. But since this cannot be done all at once, there is a priority list. When deciding which schools are to be equipped when, the existing digital equipment, the state of technical expansion, construction or renovation measures already underway or planned, the type of school and the location all play a role. "We implement measures that can be implemented quickly very quickly," the district administrator continues. This mainly involves the purchase of accessories for screens and presentation technology.

Interactive teaching
For example, schools that already have modern basic equipment - i.e. the appropriate lines and cabling - will be provided with the necessary accessories at short notice so that the technology in the classrooms can be used wirelessly. Screen content from tablets or smartphones can thus be projected directly onto large screens in the classroom. Lessons can thus be much more digital and interactive. 22 schools are already benefiting from this. All other schools will gradually follow: There, too, the necessary cables will continue to be laid, media pillars will be rebuilt or newly constructed and presentation technology will be installed. Larger projects to improve the digital infrastructure should be carried out as soon as possible - but by summer 2025 at the latest. And: Digitisation should once again be a weighty criterion in the complete renovation of school buildings.


Background:
For the improvement of digital networking, WLAN at schools and the purchase of equipment, the Waldeck-Frankenberg district will invest around 10.4 million euros over the next four years - financed from its own funds as well as federal and state funds. With this money, the schools will be converted and technically upgraded. Prerequisites for this are not only the availability of appropriate materials, but also of specialist planners and service providers.