Ten ways SharePoint can Enhance Education

Microsoft SharePoint is an excellent software for both students and teachers. In fact, one of its best use is in Education. SharePoint complements teaching and learning both in ways that had not been possible before. It enhances learning and teaching not just in the classroom but also beyond the classroom too. More recently, Office 365 has amplified SharePoint to an even greater extent giving students and teachers more opportunities to have improved educational experiences. Whether it’s the regular SharePoint, SharePoint Server, or Office 365’s SharePoint Online, it boosts productivity in and outside the classroom. So if you don’t understand what the basic core functionality of SharePoint is, it’s quite simple. SharePoint is essentially a collaboration software that allows for collaboration in cyberspace. This comes handy in today’s modern and connected world. SharePoint Online is highly recommended because it works within the Office 365 framework and provides even more to students and teachers thanks to integration with Microsoft Word Online, PowerPoint Online, Excel Online, OneDrive, and OneNote. While there are many ways SharePoint and its different iterations can help in Education, we point out ten ways how it can change the way one can teach and learn.

1. Seamless collaboration in student groups
2. SharePoint Document Libraries
3. SharePoint saves time
4. SharePoint is compatible with all devices
5. SharePoint enhances distance learning
6. SharePoint works with other Microsoft Productivity software
7. SharePoint allows for effective communications across student groups and more
8. SharePoint allows the use of cloud storage to save space on physical media
9. SharePoint simplifies planning and progress tracking
10. SharePoint allows easy setting of permissions

Seamless collaboration in student groups

Students are usually given group assignments. Previously, each member of the group would need to be available physically to discuss the assignment and even collaborate. Sometimes, not every member of the group is available and going back and forth on texts and emails is time-consuming. At the same time, progress tracking gets even harder. These days, SharePoint aims to reduce the physical meetings to save time and work effectively. Group collaboration can simply be done online, in the cloud, via SharePoint. Discussions can be done online, and documents can be edited in real-time with other members of the group very easily. This way, time is saved, and each member can easily work on the document without issues.

SharePoint Document Libraries

All documents uploaded on SharePoint are saved in the SharePoint document library. SharePoint Online works in tandem with Microsoft OneDrive to store documents in the cloud. Every document uploaded by your group will be accessible via document libraries. This way, nothing needs to be emailed, and there’s less back and forth between group members. It also becomes an archive of work done by the group accessible anytime.

SharePoint saves time

SharePoint allows for easy document collaboration. For example, one can work easily with team members on the same document, such as PowerPoint presentations. Presentation work can be divided among collaborators at the same time. Team members can work on their convenience, and that accelerates the work process and students can meet deadlines. At the same time, class slides and presentations can be saved on SharePoint for students to view later if they are unable to attend classes for any reason.

SharePoint is compatible with all devices

These days, students are working on a variety of devices that include laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones. The best part is SharePoint Online, as part of Office 365, will work on all compatible devices. So you can take your classwork home or to the library or anywhere you need to study. Whether it’s a Starbucks or your home study, SharePoint will work on whichever device you plan to use. Your documents will be accessible from anywhere.

SharePoint enhances distance learning

These days the world has gotten a lot smaller thanks to technology. Education is no longer confined to a physical space such as a college, university, or school. Learning has now extended beyond the classroom. Online courses or online degree programs are becoming popular. They offer the convenience and flexibility that traditional classroom instruction doesn’t necessarily provide. This is where SharePoint comes in because it enhances distance learning exceptionally well. Course documentation can be uploaded to the Document libraries or accessible via OneDrive. It can work hand in hand with OneNote for taking notes and tracking document progress. Teachers and students can work on documents together via SharePoint. This way, the distance between students and teachers is easily bridged. Live discussions can be held in real-time between students and teachers. This also includes live coaching and preparatory classes. The way collaboration takes place is so convenient and seamless, the student doesn’t feel like he or she is missing out on classroom experience.

SharePoint works with other Microsoft Productivity software

If you use SharePoint within the Microsoft Office 365 framework, then it works seamlessly with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and other software. You can easily edit documents in real-time on Microsoft Word via SharePoint Online, for example. These documents can then be shared with collaborators everywhere across the world. Documents can be saved easily on OneDrive, which is reliable cloud storage powered by Microsoft.

SharePoint allows for effective communications across student groups and more

SharePoint is incredibly powerful as it works well with Microsoft Teams, Yammer, and Skype for Business as well as for team communication. Similarly, teachers and students can also collaborate in the same way thanks to Microsoft SharePoint Online. Student groups can discuss and keep noted with Skype for Business or Yammer, Microsoft Teams, OneNote and SharePoint Online all working seamlessly together. The kind of productivity one gets by working with their groups or with their educators via SharePoint Online is excellent. Simple notes can be shared, progress can be tracked, and teacher-student communication, understanding lectures, and notes, slides- all of this is possible because SharePoint Online and its complementary software have taken collaboration and communication to the next level.

SharePoint allows the use of cloud storage to save space on physical media

To carry homework assignments, coursework, and more, students usually require flash drives or some other physical media. All that hassle is eliminated with Microsoft SharePoint, as it works great with cloud storage services. OneDrive can store as many document files as needed in the cloud and accessible from any device anywhere in the world. Since it’s in the cloud, it’s secure and can be transferred to others easily. You can have others access your OneDrive cloud drive as well.

SharePoint simplifies planning and progress tracking

With Office365, SharePoint Online is very effective. You can use Outlook’s online calendar that will allow you to plan, and the calendar can be shared with others in your group. Teachers can have students access their Outlook calendar if needed and so can groups plan for deadlines to make sure they’re able to deliver assignments and projects on time. Note-taking, as well, is simplified thanks to OneNote.

SharePoint allows easy setting of permissions

When working on group projects and assignments or even in distance learning, appropriate permissions need to be set by group leaders or instructors. Permissions can be set within SharePoint Online within Office 365 framework as well as standalone SharePoint and SharePoint Server. This way, only those who are part of the group projects and assignments will be allowed to work on it with ease. This adds a layer of security so that groups can work on their assignments without any hitches or security concerns.

Conclusion

SharePoint is an all-round collaborative software, and within its many different iterations such as SharePoint Online, SharePoint Server, and SharePoint stand-alone, there’s so much one can get out of it. If you’re a student and teacher, or a student working on group projects and assignments can take advantage of its various features that save time and help them deliver their work on time. It enhances distance learning and communication as well. SharePoint has helped to bring Education and learning into the 21st century and can enhance your learning and teaching experiences extremely well.

Infowise

Here at Infowise Business Solutions, our client list includes some of the world’s best-known higher educational institutes, that is in addition to many school boards in North America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and Africa. Our products that are used by the educational institutes are a cross-section of what we offer; Workflow automation, process automation, advanced dynamic forms and document management and filing. We have helped thousands of schools and research facilities across the globe in leveraging the power of their Office 365 platform, to its fullest potential to quickly build a wide variety of modern solutions, tailor-made to meet their operational requirements. Through our implementation partners, we have been part of the digitization process for many universities and research organizations. Whether your preference is Microsoft 365 or On-premise our partners will assist and guide you on how best you can get your educational institution on the road onto a successful digitalization process.