Digital campuses: Accessible learning 24/7 with zero downtime connectivity

The rise of generative AI, AR/VR, and rapid networks has unlocked new educational possibilities that were once impossible in traditional classrooms. With promises of never-before-seen scale and personalization, more governments and institutions are investing in the $270 billion dollar educational technology (EdTech) industry, supporting a 16% CAGR that will propel it to new heights of US$433.17 billion by 2030.

And APAC is well-primed to become one of the biggest adopters and benefactors of Edtech, with China, India, and Indonesia ranking among the 10 top countries for higher education enrolment. Regionally, over 27 million children and adolescents remain illiterate largely due to accessibility issues that Edtech may just have the potential to resolve.

So how exactly will technology evolve pedagogy? Subhasish Gupta, India & SAARC Regional Director, Allied Telesis Asia Pacific outlines three ways he foresees the integration:

GenAI teaching assistants

By granting users the ability to create content through written prompts, generative AI (genAI) can prove invaluable to students who do not have ready access to reliable tutors. Class sizes in East Asia continue to hover around 25-45 despite research showing that students learn as much as 3 months faster in smaller class sizes of 15. While reducing class size isn’t always feasible due to resource constraints, genAI makes it possible for students to cover the basics by looking up unfamiliar terms and concepts with ease without demanding too much additional resources from institutions.

AR and VR immersive learning

Simulation tools make it possible for students to visit historical sites and natural landmarks without leaving the classroom or molecular interactions without convoluted explanations or specialized equipment. On top of granting students in remote or under-developed regions with greater exposure, AR and VR tools can also encourage active, visual-driven learning in the passive learning dominated Asian classrooms. Research has shown that active classroom participation can improve learning outcomes by as much as one-half a standard deviation.

Gamification for engagement and motivation

Gamification can maximize the effectiveness of the aforementioned tools by entertaining and motivating students on their way to each learning milestone. Algorithms can also be customized for individual students who struggle with particular topics such that unfamiliar concepts are surfaced just enough to foster familiarity without being too overwhelming or discouraging. While the absolute effectiveness of gamification varies widely between individuals and field of study, the overwhelming majority of case studies show a net positive in learning outcomes of anywhere between 40% to 95%.

What a truly digital campus looks like

Of course, implementing new technology is always easier said than done. “From privacy concerns to malfunctioning devices, campuses must be designed with the right interfaces and fail safe so that infrastructure can be safely used as intended to achieve their desired outcomes,” explains Subhasish. “Understanding the unique challenges of this sector, we do our part in shaping the future of education by providing a robust network infrastructure that can realize this vision of a truly connected and savvy digital campus.”

According to Subhasish, Allied Telesis sees the digital campus comprising three key aspects:

>Modern IT operations

Digitalized and automated operations can help contemporary campuses minimize manual labor and associated human errors. This can be implemented in digital attendance records, bookings for private consultations, digital gradings, and more. Allied Telesis achieves this through its Network AI, which modernizes IT operations by leveraging AI and ML for network insights. Not only does this free up time for IT admins, it also provides a highly intuitive process for digitally native students born after 1997. These systems can be further safeguarded by requiring students and staff to verify their identities using unique keys such as biometrics.

>Round-the-clock connectivity

The percentage of students juggling part-time work alongside their studies has skyrocketed in recent years, going up from 45% to 55% from just 2022 to 2023. Digital campuses must be ready to support students with various schedules and learning styles, especially since working students are 20% less likely to graduate compared to their full-time student counterparts. With the Allied Telesis Network Virtualization, educational institutions can ensure a zero-downtime infrastructure with network core redundancy not just for that 2359 deadline, but also to support entire halls of wirelessly connected devices running AI and high-graphics programs.

>Robust cyber defenses

The campus may be a student’s safe haven from the corporate world, but 87% of educational institutions have already experienced very real cybersecurity breaches. With students connecting to institutional databases both within and from outside campus, school networks have never been more vulnerable, especially since hackers can compromise a network through a single unsuspecting student’s unprotected device. AMF-Security Controller is Allied Telesis’s response to growing cyber threats, which integrates the best-of-breed cyber vendors to increase the schools’ cyber posture.

Delivering on the digital campus promise

Digital campuses are not just built on world-class infrastructure and iron-clad cybersecurity, but are supported by service teams that are capable of responding swiftly and efficiently whenever the need arises.

Driven by a mission to create conditions where students can study, research, and grow to their fullest potential, Allied Telesis has been the facilitator of many firsts in Asian campuses, including the deployment of an SDN-enabled network at India’s Institute of National Importance as well as the signed cooperation agreement for training, recruitment, scientific research, communication, and brand development with the Ho Chi MInh University of Technology (HUTECH).

Build an educational future on network foundations you can rely on with Allied Telesis.