Digital-forward educators are embracing new technology that helps them teach and helps their students learn. According to a survey from McKinsey, about two-thirds of teachers today are confident in their abilities to use educational technology, and 77 percent believe it will help them be more effective teachers.
Teachers spend an increasing amount of time looking at desktop monitors, as well as other internet-connected screens, to develop and submit their lesson plans, take attendance, review the curriculum, check emails, fill out report cards and conduct parent-teacher conferences. The best monitor for teachers can keep up with their jam-packed days and make the job easier. Here are five factors to look for in the ideal classroom computer monitor.
1. Eye comfort — and health
Classroom screens have become necessary and even beneficial, particularly in remote and hybrid classes. But all of this screen time can cause eye strain and even blurred vision. The American Optometric Association has a name for vision-related issues that result from prolonged screen use: Computer Vision Syndrome. Leading causes of this eye strain are insufficient lighting, screen glare and incorrect viewing distance.
The right monitor can go a long way toward improving these symptoms. In addition to adjusting brightness settings and text size, non-glare panes can make a big difference.
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Another option is choosing a monitor with built-in eye-saver features, which automatically recalibrate the screen’s contrast, brightness and saturation settings for the user’s comfort. Most Samsung monitors, including the 24-inch T45F flat monitor, feature Eye Saver Mode, which actively minimizes blue light emissions. Flicker Free technology also continuously removes tiring and irritating screen flicker. The T45F boasts 178-degree viewing angles, a borderless design — for immersive, seamless viewing — and multiple device ports.
2. Ergonomic design
Reducing muscle strain on the neck and back is a benefit for anyone. According to one study, people who used technology that could be adjusted, including monitors, were more comfortable, productive and satisfied with their jobs.
Older monitors are often static, while newer, full-featured monitors are more often adjustable. Height-adjustable Samsung monitors can swivel, tilt and pivot in a variety of ways. Teachers can position the screen at the ideal viewing height and angle, so they can see everything more clearly and comfortably.
3. Versatile connectivity
Flexible, feature-rich monitors have become critical to a good teaching experience. But to reach their full potential, monitors need versatile connectivity — essentially, multiple ways to connect to other devices. Having multiple input options allows teachers to choose the best method of connectivity for a specific purpose, such as connecting to other video devices or mirroring another screen. A monitor with a USB-C hub, for example, provides multiple connectivity options, including HDMI and standard USB ports, as well as DisplayPort, a digital and audio interface.
Monitors like Samsung’s S40UA USB-C monitor have a USB-C port that can be used to power the monitor and transmit data with a single cable, helping declutter teachers’ desks. The S40UA also has multiple USB ports, so users can plug peripheral devices directly into the monitor.
4. Remote learning features
In remote and hybrid classes, a webcam monitor makes it easier for teachers to handle ongoing online learning. Some K-12 schools have chosen to continue offering online learning long term for students who want it. In higher education, half of all college students today take at least one course online.
With a built-in Full HD camera, integrated speakers and a high-quality microphone, webcam monitors give teachers many options on how to present material. Webcam monitors’ wide viewing angles make them ideal for hybrid classrooms, where teachers have both in-person and remote students who need to see the screen at the same time. For the same reason, they’re also effective tools for videoconferences.
5. Clear, detailed imagery
Teachers may not need the highest-resolution monitor on the market, but a monitor with accurate colors and sharp details still provides concrete benefits.
Not only do higher-resolution screens minimize eye strain, they also allow teachers to design and review their lesson materials in true-to-life visual accuracy. Samsung’s HDR10 color technology expands the color spectrum for greater contrast: darker colors appear darker and brighter hues are brighter. Color fidelity makes images appear lifelike, a feature that makes a noticeable difference during video calls with remote students or other teachers.
Clarity, flexibility and connectivity: The solution for teachers
Teachers tend to work long hours — much longer than the typical school day. Increasingly, most of these hours are spent looking at screens. Classroom technology should make teaching easier, not harder. Teachers work hard enough as it is; a high-quality monitor can offer much-needed relief.
For hybrid learning without limits, you can find simple, scalable and secure display solutions that empower educators to take control of their curriculum in this free guide. And explore Samsung’s professional monitor solutions to find the perfect monitor for your school’s space, budget and educational needs.
