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PRINT.IT
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COVER STORY
As schools, colleges and
universities attempt the tricky
balancing act of cutting costs
while improving service levels,
more and more are discovering
the benefits of deploying Fujitsu
scanners in the classroom and
administrative offices.
Fujitsu offers a wide range of
scanners, including sheetfed, flatbed
and overhead models (see box on
right). Different models are suited
to different applications, but all
perform the same essential function,
the conversion of printed and
hand-written information into digital
images that can be shared, stored
and distributed digitally.
Associated technologies, like
optical character recognition (OCR),
convert scanned images into text
files so that the content can be
edited and saved as Microsoft Office
documents, for example, or routed
into school management systems or
content management systems where
documents can be retrieved using
keywords or full text searches.
Paper without the drawbacks
Scanners are a key enabler of
digitisation strategies being
implemented by organisations of all
sizes to improve efficiency and cut
costs.
Capturing hard copies digitally
enables users to process and
store paper-based information
alongside PC-generated documents,
eliminating the delays, errors and
costs associated with manual, paper-
based workflows and filing.
For many organisations, scanning
is a staging post on the way to
completely paper-free working. This
might make sense for administrative
applications, such as invoicing
or expenses management, but
in education, especially, paper
has certain qualities that ensure
its continued relevance and
effectiveness.
A scanner’s purpose in the
classroom is not to eradicate paper,
but to build on its strengths as a
tactile, familiar medium and overcome
its weaknesses, such as the time and
expense of distribution and sharing.
Enhanced learning
For many customers in the education
sector, the ability of Fujitsu scanners
to aid learning is as important a
benefit as improved administration.
It is also a major priority for Fujitsu,
which is working with a number
of establishments to explore how
scanners can be used to improve
learning in the classroom. (see box).
Fujitsu document scanners can
help schools and colleges improve
administrative processes and learning in
the classroom
Supporting administration
and improving the learning
experience
Driving Change in Education through Technology
Fujitsu is working with a number of
education establishments through the
Education Ambassador Program, which
is aligned to the Education Technology
Action Group (ETAG) and supported by
the Secretary of State for Education,
Nicky Morgan.
This program has been set up to enable
and promote collaboration across all levels
of education and promote shared best
practice for driving transformational change
through technology. Its objectives are to:
n
Develop the digital skills of teachers
and students to assist future employment
opportunities;
n
Provide expertise on personalised
technology in teaching and learning
through the creation of Innovation Hubs
at each Ambassador establishment;
n
Develop teacher & student
workshops on technology in the learning
environment;
n
Work to support schools, colleges
and parents in making technology in the
learning environment accessible to all;
n
Work with Naace to support schools in
achieving the Third Millennium Kite mark;
n
Provide expertise on infrastructure
to enable empowered and connected
establishments;
n
Develop joint projects with the
Ambassador establishments linked into
their curriculum.
See us
at BETT
on Stand
G351A
