Top 10 Intranet Features for Modern Schools

Schools today need more than just classrooms and textbooks. They need a digital space where everyone can work together easily. That's where school intranets come in. Let's look at the 10 best features that make school intranets super helpful for teachers and students.

Key Takeaways

• 95% of US schools use cloud services for data management

• 80% of teachers communicate digitally with students and colleagues

• 75% of schools use digital tools to increase productivity

• 90% of schools emphasize the importance of user-friendliness

• Intranets provide safe, organized platforms for school communities

• Features like document libraries and calendars streamline operations

• Mobile accessibility ensures connectivity for all users

1. Safe and Easy to Use

The most important thing about a school intranet is that it's safe. Nobody wants strangers getting into the school's private information. Steegle.One makes sure that only people from the school can use the intranet. It works with Google Workspace, which many schools already use. This means teachers and students can log in easily without learning a whole new system.

Another cool thing is that the intranet doesn't store information on outside computers. Everything stays within the school's own system. This keeps all the school's data extra safe from hackers or accidents. With increasing concerns about data privacy, this feature gives peace of mind to administrators, teachers, and parents alike.

2. Document Library

Imagine a big digital bookshelf where all the school's important papers are kept. That's what a document library is. Teachers can put lesson plans, school rules, and important announcements in one place. Students can find their homework assignments or study guides easily. No more lost papers or forgetting important documents at school!

This library makes sure everyone has the latest version of every document. If the principal updates the school calendar, everyone sees the new version right away. It's like magic - but it's just good organization! The document management system also allows for version control, ensuring that everyone is working with the most up-to-date information at all times.

Learn more about intranet features

3. Chat and Message Tools

Sometimes you need to ask a quick question or share an idea. That's where chat tools come in handy. Teachers can chat with each other about lesson plans or upcoming events. Students can message their classmates about group projects. It's faster than email and helps everyone stay connected.

These tools also help cut down on too many emails. Instead of getting 20 emails about one topic, people can have a quick chat and solve problems faster. It's like having a digital staff room where everyone can pop in for a quick chat. The communication features can also include video conferencing options, making it easy to hold virtual meetings or remote learning sessions when needed.

4. School Calendar

A school has lots of events - from classes to sports games to parent-teacher meetings. A digital school calendar helps keep track of everything in one place. The best part? It works with Google Calendar, which many people already use.

Teachers can see when classrooms are free for extra study sessions. Students can check when their next big test is coming up. Parents can see when school events are happening. It's like having the whole school's schedule in your pocket! The integrated calendar feature can also send reminders, ensuring that important dates are never missed.

5. News and Updates

Schools always have news to share - like upcoming events, changes to schedules, or celebrating student achievements. The intranet makes it easy to spread this news. The principal or teachers can post updates with pictures and fun designs. It's way more exciting than a plain old email!

These updates can also be sent as newsletters. So if someone misses the news on the intranet, they'll still get it in their email. It's like having a school newspaper that everyone actually reads. The news feature can be customized to target specific groups, ensuring that information reaches the right audience every time.

6. People Finder and School Structure

In a big school, it can be hard to know who everyone is or what they do. The intranet has a cool feature that lets you search for people easily. Need to find the new math teacher? Just type their name, and you'll see their contact info and what they teach.

There's also a neat chart that shows how the school is organized. It's like a family tree for the school. You can see who's in charge of what, making it easier to know who to talk to when you need help. The directory feature can include staff bios and areas of expertise, making it easier for students to find the right person for academic support or career advice.

7. Works on Phones and Tablets

These days, we use our phones for almost everything. That's why it's great that the school intranet works on phones and tablets too. Teachers can check the calendar while they're on the go. Students can look up homework assignments from anywhere.

It doesn't matter if you're using a computer in the classroom, a tablet in the library, or a phone on the bus - the intranet looks good and works well on all of them. This means everyone can stay connected to the school, no matter where they are. The mobile-friendly design ensures that all features are accessible and user-friendly on any device, promoting better engagement with the intranet.

8. Looks Like Your School

Every school has its own style - maybe it's the school colors or a special mascot. The intranet can be designed to match your school's look. This isn't just about making it pretty. When the intranet looks like your school, it feels more familiar and comfortable to use.

Schools can add their logo, use their colors, and even include pictures of the school building or students (with permission, of course). It's like decorating the digital halls of your school to make everyone feel at home. The customization options allow for a seamless integration of the intranet with the school's existing brand identity.

9. Places for Group Work

Working together is a big part of school life. The intranet has special areas where groups can work together online. Think of it like digital clubhouses for different projects or subjects. A science class might have a space to share experiment results. The student council could have a place to plan events.

These spaces make it easy for people to share ideas, work on projects together, and keep all their group work organized in one place. It's like having a study group that's always open, even when you're not at school. The collaboration tools can include shared documents, task lists, and discussion forums, fostering a culture of teamwork and knowledge sharing.

10. Easy to Set Up and Use

Nobody wants to spend hours learning how to use a new tool. That's why the best school intranets are easy to set up and use. Teachers don't need to be computer experts to post updates or share documents. Students can find what they need without getting confused.

The easier the intranet is to use, the more people will actually use it. And when everyone uses it, that's when it becomes really helpful for the whole school. The user-friendly interface is designed with intuitive navigation and search functions, making it easy for users of all tech levels to find what they need quickly.

Real School Success Story

Let's look at how one school group made their intranet work for them. The Inspire Education Group in the UK has over 10,000 students and 1,200 staff members. They were having trouble with too many emails and people missing important news.

They started using Steegle.One News as part of their Google Sites intranet. This helped them share news better and cut down on email overload. Now, it's easier for everyone to find the information they need. The school says it has "significantly enhanced" how they work together online. This success story demonstrates how a well-implemented intranet can transform communication and collaboration within a large educational institution.

Read the full Inspire Education Group case study

Wrapping Up: Why School Intranets Rock

A good school intranet is like a Swiss Army knife for education. It has tools for sharing information, working together, and keeping everyone on the same page. From keeping documents organized to making communication easier, these features help schools run smoother.

The best part? As schools change and grow, their intranets can change with them. New features can be added, and old ones can be updated. It's all about making school life easier and more connected for everyone. With the right intranet solution, schools can create a digital environment that supports learning, fosters community, and prepares students for the digital world they'll enter after graduation.

Want to see how an intranet could work for your school? You can ask for a demo to see these features in action. It might just be the tool your school needs to bring everyone together in the digital age. Contact us to learn more about how a customized intranet solution can benefit your school community.