The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every sector, and the education sector is no exception. Schools, colleges, and universities remain closed, with no access to in-person interactions. Going digital, an imperative initially, has gradually become the ‘New Normal’ for the sector.
According to a report published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the closure of schools in 188 countries, affecting more than 1.5 billion students and 63 million primary and secondary teachers worldwide. The report also indicates that COVID-19 is a clear reminder of why it’s time to embrace a digital transformation within the educational sector. The shift to digital transformation is not easy, but online education is being enabled like never before by cloud providers like Amazon Web Services.
AWS for Education: How AWS Enables Continued Learning Through Different Cloud Modules?
With temporary and sustained school closings, education doesn’t necessarily have to stop. Educational institutions worldwide are seeking reliable options that allow educators and students to stay connected and still ensure productivity even when off-campus.
AWS marketplace provides a number of digital solutions that help educational institutions navigate unprecedented times. The different modules in the AWS Digital catalog allow educational institutions worldwide to evolve with the situation and focus on deploying remote learning solutions to pave the way for continued learning.
Here are key AWS technologies that enable a seamless transition:
Amazon AppStream 2.0: Delivering distance learning for Higher Education
Solutions like Amazon AppStream 2.0 available in AWS marketplace help enhance communication, allow collaboration, and are a great way to customize learning experiences regardless of the geographical location that the students are present in.
Amazon AppStream 2.0 is a fully managed, non-persistent application and desktop streaming service that lets users access desktop applications anytime. AppStream 2.0 is built on AWS, allowing users to benefit from data center and network architecture designed for the most security-sensitive organizations. Each application runs on virtual machines optimized for specific use cases, and each streaming session automatically adjusts to network conditions.
With Amazon AppStream 2.0, students can access any application they need for their classes through any computer. AppStream also streams applications from AWS to any computer. It allows students to learn from anywhere, anytime, and, more importantly, on any device. Be it Macs, Chromebooks, or even PCs, AppStream applications can be installed, configured and students can start their learning process. Educational institutions can use G- Suite or other IT solutions to manage student access and provide individual storage. It also features pay-as-you-go pricing, which makes it easy for institutions to scale as they go.
Amazon WorkSpaces Enables Remote Work for Teachers and Students
Amazon WorkSpaces is a secure Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) solution that allows teachers and students to access data anytime and anywhere from their chosen device. The connected devices allow thousands of teachers and students to connect and work remotely. It eliminates administrative tasks associated with managing desktop lifestyles, including provisioning, deploying, and recycling desktops. Amazon WorkSpaces is deployed within Amazon Virtual Private Network (VPC), thus reducing overall risks and providing secure access.
Amazon WorkSpaces is available in 13 AWS regions, providing secure cloud desktops for millions of users. Amazon WorkSpaces provides a complete, persistent desktop that students can use with Amazon AppStream 2.0. Combined, they provide an easy learning environment for students and ensure they do not miss a single class from day one.
Amazon Connect Helps Schools Migrate To Online Learning
Amazon Connect service acts as a cloud contact center and provides remote support enabling work from home for educators. Through Amazon Connect Service, Amazon has facilitated 1386 schools to connect to online learning schools. AWS can be deployed to K-12 schools and higher education institutions worldwide to support online learning during sustained school closures. Amazon Connect is a virtual contact center enabling education institutions to operate remotely fully.
In addition to its products and solutions, AWS has proactively enabled many learning program initiatives. Its no-cost webinar series through its AWS Educate module is a great example. The latest AWS IMAGINE is the education webinar series that offers a platform where education industry leaders and SMEs talk about bridging the classroom and remote learning gap.
Education providers worldwide are increasingly looking for options enabling their faculties to work securely from any location –for global workforce collaboration or agile end-point management. Cloud-based technologies ensure business continuity and continuous learning even during the unprecedented by rapidly facilitating remote working solutions, thus making education more effective and seamless.
Further Reading :
Achieving Continuous Learning Through Cloud Technology
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