Modernizing the Learning Environment with The Nest Schools

The Nest Schools aimed to modernize their campuses and invest in technology that improved communications and in-school experience for their staff, the students and families. With innovation as one of the school’s core values, The Nest Schools were looking for a solution to reflect that value. They needed technology that not only engaged and delighted, but had the ability to seamlessly convey timely information.

The digital signage content would use The Nest Schools’ own playful branding and guidelines, displaying information such as “meet the teacher” bios, daily meal rotation and curriculum specific to each classroom for parents and students to explore.

The Nest Schools needed their digital signage solution to work throughout multiple locations with different staff members at each campus needing the ability to update content on specific screens. The solution needed to be easy to use by the teaching staff, allowing them to spend minimal time frequently updating the digital signage content. Each school campus had their own unique messaging to display — from staff bios and student highlights, to location-specific events and emergency messaging — and these needed to be conveyed in a concise format.

In addition, the solutions had to be dynamic, visually appealing and highly functional to draw attention and inform students and families. Flexibility was also key to success. Each campus’ digital signage network needed wall-mounted digital signage as well as tablets that could be placed in various locations within each school.

The Nest Schools were in need of a solution that would deliver appealing visuals, resulting in increased engagement. In order for students, family members and staff to receive critical communication, the solution had to deliver information concisely — and it had to be easy to update.

To achieve these goals, Scala’s professional services and business development teams worked with The Nest Schools leadership to understand the current way of communicating, the goal of implementing digital signage and any perceived challenges through a deep dive discovery process. The teaching staff and leadership wanted to maintain their current system, which utilizes Smartsheet, to allow for rapid, easy content updating across various digital endpoints.

Ultimately, Scala implemented multiple solutions: large format, wall-mounted, interactive, commercial-grade STRATACACHE LINQ tablets, married with dynamic Smartsheet data integration. Smaller interactive LINQ tablets are placed outside classrooms with larger displays in the lobby. Logistically speaking, Scala provided classroom tablets with power over Ethernet reducing the need to run electrical to every sign, which is easier for construction and permitting time and cost.

Each school location now has the ability to dynamically generate their own slideshows with curated content. Each piece of content is easily updatable at the corporate or campus-level with just a click. These solutions allow The Nest Schools to showcase day-to-day schedules and pertinent information. In addition to schedules, each campus has the ability to display content such as emergency messaging, meal menus, school location photos, student highlights, educator/staff bios, upcoming events, announcements for parents/guardians and more.

Scala’s team of dedicated professionals implemented solutions that The Nest Schools use daily. LINQ tablets placed in front of classrooms modernize the school as a whole and provide younger students with the means to indicate which classroom is theirs. The larger wall displays have various functions, ranging from displaying daily meal menus, presenting welcome messages to guardians and visitors entering the school.

The Nest Schools now have the tools and support they need to display a virtually limitless variety of content and graphics spanning multiple locations. Scala provided The Nest Schools with digital signage solutions that give them the ability to easily create and update branded, interesting content with engaging visuals. Teachers and staff members at each campus can also add pictures from events, staff photos and more to keep kids and parents engaged with the school.

Scala not only delivered the full technology solution — from hardware and software to installation support — but also tailored custom content management tools that use the pre-existing Smartsheet data sources already in place for admin and business processes at The Nest Schools. Utilizing systems that staff and teachers are already familiar with, Scala ensures that team members at each campus can successfully post content on the digital signage without extensive training.