diff --git a/content/articles/empowering-education.mdx b/content/articles/empowering-education.mdx new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..a67fd085e2 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/articles/empowering-education.mdx @@ -0,0 +1,183 @@ +--- +seo: + title: Use Microsoft Tools to Drive Education Outcomes + description: >- + Discover how Microsoft tools like SharePoint, Power BI, and Power Automate + are transforming education outcomes with data-driven decisions. + canonical: 'https://www.ssw.com.au/empowering-education' + showBreadcrumb: true + images: + - url: /images/ssw-default-og.jpg + width: 1200 + height: 630 + alt: SSW Consulting - Enterprise Software Development +bannerImg: /images/articles/RgXd955pTzu0wP_4u1S-RA.jpeg +title: >- + Empowering Education: How Microsoft Tools can help educators and students + thrive +subTitle: > + + + + The modern school is a complex ecosystem. From classrooms alive with kids to + teachers and administrators trying to keep up, there’s a constant challenge to + balance operations with delivering the best education. Amid this, one key + truth emerges: better visibility into data and smoother processes empower + teachers to focus on what matters most—students’ learning. + + + Tanya Leahy, a Senior Consultant, has spent over 16 years bridging the gap + between education and technology. With extensive experience in school + administration, data management, and Microsoft’s toolset, Tanya’s mission is + clear: to simplify school operations and improve learning outcomes. + + + In Tanya’s words, “Schools today are time-poor, and no software is perfect. + The magic happens when technology fills the gaps.” + + + ### A Deep Understanding of Education + + + Tanya worked in senior administrative roles, supporting leadership teams in + schools and managing vast amounts of data. Her years of experience taught her + that education isn’t just about teaching—it’s about enabling teachers. + + + “Education has changed dramatically in recent years,” Tanya reflects. “We have + an aging workforce of teachers, many of whom aren’t tech-savvy. They need + tools that are intuitive, reliable, and save time, not add complexity. That’s + where technology makes the difference.” + + + Tanya recalls countless scenarios where the lack of integrated systems left + teachers and administrators struggling. From managing student enrollments to + tracking attendance and behavioral data, the burden of juggling multiple + systems often fell on already overstretched staff. + + + But Tanya didn’t see these challenges as roadblocks; she saw opportunities. + Combining her deep knowledge of education with her technical expertise, she + began crafting solutions tailored to the specific needs of schools. + + + ### Making Data Work for Schools + + + One of Tanya’s favorite tools for schools is Power BI. While many education + systems collect data, few use it effectively. For Tanya, the key lies in + transforming raw information into actionable insights. + + + “Data isn’t just numbers on a page,” Tanya explains. “It’s a story—about + attendance trends, learning gaps, and even how scheduling impacts student + engagement.” + + + She shares an example from her own experience: “We used Power BI to analyze + attendance patterns and noticed a spike in students leaving early on Mondays. + The data showed that back-to-back English and math classes after lunch weren’t + working. By rethinking the timetable, we reduced absenteeism and helped + students stay engaged.” + + + For Tanya, moments like these showcase the power of combining technology with + a deep understanding of education. “Every decision we make should support + students. That’s the ultimate goal.” + + + ### Building Collaborative Communities + + + Beyond data analysis, Tanya champions tools like SharePoint to foster + collaboration within schools. “Schools thrive when information flows + seamlessly,” she says. “But without the right infrastructure, important + details get lost, and staff spend hours searching for files.” + + + Tanya remembers working in schools without a centralized intranet. “It was + chaos. Teachers relied on shared drives or emailed spreadsheets—systems that + weren’t scalable or secure.” + + + Introducing SharePoint was a game-changer. With its robust permission + settings, teachers could access only the information relevant to their roles, + while administrators gained a bird’s-eye view of the school’s operations. + “It’s not just about storing documents,” Tanya emphasizes. “It’s about + creating a shared space where everyone can work smarter.” + + + ### Streamlining with Automation + + + One of the biggest hurdles schools face is the sheer volume of manual + processes. From approving subject changes to handling incident reports, these + tasks can consume valuable time. + + + Tanya recounts a project where she used Power Automate to simplify the subject + change process. “Students used to run around the school collecting signatures + for paper forms. It was inefficient and prone to errors,” she recalls. + + + With automation, approvals were routed digitally, cutting the process down to + half a day. “That’s time students can spend learning, not chasing paperwork. + It’s a small change with a big impact.” + + + ### A Vision for the Future: AI and Agile + + + Looking ahead, Tanya is excited about the potential of AI in schools. + Microsoft’s Copilot and forthcoming agents promise to revolutionize how + schools operate, from drafting reports to creating predictive models for + student success. “AI will free up teachers to focus on teaching,” Tanya + predicts. “Imagine having a system that identifies struggling students early + and suggests interventions. That’s the future.” + + + But Tanya knows technology alone isn’t enough. Implementing these tools + requires careful planning, and her experience with Agile and Scrum + methodologies gives her a unique edge. “Schools are big, complex organizations + with many stakeholders,” she explains. “To make change happen, you need clear + communication, staged rollouts, and buy-in from everyone involved.” + + + One of her proudest achievements was leading a progressive reporting project. + “It wasn’t just about configuring software,” she says. “It was about + rethinking how we measure and communicate student progress. Change is hard, + but when done right, it’s incredibly rewarding.” + + + ### Better Tools, Better Outcomes + + + For Tanya, the ultimate goal of her work is simple: to give educators the + tools they need to succeed. “When teachers have better visibility into their + students’ needs, they can teach more effectively. When administrators spend + less time on manual tasks, they can focus on supporting their teams. And when + schools operate smoothly, students thrive.” + + + As technology continues to evolve, Tanya remains optimistic. “We’re just + scratching the surface of what’s possible. With the right tools and the right + mindset, we can transform education—not just for teachers and administrators, + but for generations of students to come. +author: content/presenters/michael-smedley.mdx +sidebarPanel: + title: Want to get Power BI working for you? + description: 'Visualize and analyse data with greater speed, efficiency and understanding' + showSidebarPanel: true + actionUrl: 'https://www.ssw.com.au/consulting/power-bi' + actionText: Learn more +callToAction: + title: Talk to us about your project + subTitle: Connect with our Account Managers to discuss how we can help. + showCallToAction: true + buttonText: Book a FREE Initial Meeting + animated: true + buttonSubtitle: or call +61 2 9953 3000 +--- +