How Administrators Are Leveraging Tech for Safer, More Secure Schools
For years, school administrators have focused on enhancing security in schools. This has involved installing security cameras, employing law enforcement, and other measures. Today, over 92% of public schools in the U.S. use security cameras for monitoring the school grounds and surrounding areas.
Besides video surveillance, about 97% of schools track their visitors by asking them to sign into the front desk. This is only one of the safety and security measures that have been on the rise in U.S. public schools.
Sure, it’s essential to keep all the outside doors of a school locked and take note of who is in your building, but not all threats are face to face. We live in a digital world where student data privacy in the classroom is of utmost importance. And, a lot of your preventative maintenance needs to take place in that same cyber environment.
So, when threats are made, schools need to right tools to spread the word to teachers and staff quickly.
Ideas To Help Increase School Safety
Social Net Watcher
School shooters tend to be narcissists. They often use social media, especially Instagram, to proclaim their manifestos.
One start-up out of Indiana, Social Net Watcher, watches students’ social media accounts for specific phrases that may indicate warnings of violence. They can also be programmed to alert school officials to acts of cyberbullying.
TextMagic
In an emergency, fast communication is essential. TextMagic allows schools to send immediate texts to the staff, students, or parents at the touch of a button.
Texts are the most effective form of communication in an emergency. Teachers may not have access to their computers while they are barricaded in their classrooms.
TextMagic can also be used to alert parents if their children are not in attendance. Parents who may be concerned about the mental health of their children can be warned immediately that their child is not where he is supposed to be.
Visitor Management System
While most schools have visitors sign in at the reception desk, some schools are taking this precaution to the next level.
Visitors at some schools must present their state or federal ID to the school. These IDs are checked against a national database of registered sex offenders.
Alertus Desktop
Although text messaging is the most effective form of communication during an emergency, at times, a back-up plan is needed. Alertus Desktop can send an immediate alert to every computer screen on campus. This system is particularly helpful for buildings that have notoriously bad cell coverage.
Take a look at what Gordon College learned by implementing Alertus Desktop. The school felt that its checklist for notifications in emergency systems was too long. And, It wanted one unified system for keeping people informed.
The college reports that its decision to streamline communications was extremely beneficial. “Being able to setup pre-scripted alerts to fire off with one button press or one-click during a crisis can help save lives during an emergency.”
GPS Systems
Schools not only need to keep students safe on campus, but they also need to protect their students on buses as well. GPS systems are so sophisticated now that the district will be notified if a driver is reckless.
This software has the added benefit of protecting the school from parent complaints. If parents complain that the bus did not pick up their children that morning, the district can check the GPS to see whether or not the driver really missed the stop.
Edgewood Independent School District in Texas utilized this technology on its fleet of school buses. The system proved beneficial when the local sheriff was able to send the closest officer immediately to a driver who needed assistance.
Safety and Security Film
The doors of a school may be locked, but that doesn’t mean that school shooters can’t break into a building through a window. An American company now has made a thin film that can be placed over the windows of a school building to keep them from breaking.
Fortify the windows of your school with this 3M product. This product will enable responders to have more time to arrive in the event of an emergency.
The Use of AI to Protect Students in Schools
AI is increasingly being used in school security systems to enhance safety and protect students. Here are some examples of how AI is being applied in this area:
- AI-Powered Surveillance Systems: AI-driven security cameras use advanced image recognition to detect suspicious behavior, unauthorized individuals, or weapons on campus. These systems can analyze footage in real-time, identifying potential threats and alerting security personnel automatically.
- Facial Recognition: Some schools are using AI-based facial recognition software to monitor who enters and exits the campus. This technology can identify individuals who are flagged as potential threats, such as known offenders, and prevent unauthorized entry.
- AI for Social Media Monitoring: AI tools like Social Net Watcher scan social media platforms to detect keywords, phrases, or behaviors that may indicate threats, such as violent intentions or bullying. AI can analyze vast amounts of data much faster than humans, providing early warnings to school administrators.
- Predictive Analytics: AI can analyze historical data on school incidents to identify patterns that may predict future security risks. For example, predictive algorithms can assess attendance records, behavior reports, and external threats to give administrators insights into possible concerns.
These AI-driven solutions not only improve the speed and accuracy of security measures but also allow schools to respond more proactively to potential risks
Conclusion
Schools have the moral and legal responsibility to keep their students safe. What that means for school administrators is finding ways to maximize resources and strive for improvement. While traditional methods remain crucial, schools must also address the growing need for digital security and advanced technologies to protect students and staff.
By integrating the innovative tools we’ve explored, schools can stay one step ahead in safeguarding their communities, ensuring a safer environment for everyone. These include implementing digital technologies and other strategies. While safety is key, schools should also explore ways to also enhance the learning experience using technology and promote safer internet for schools.