The South Australian Department for Education is blazing a trail in the digital landscape, tackling school security, connectivity, and user experience head-on, all while ensuring “equitable access to digital resources and learning opportunities,” according to CIO Daniel Hughes.
Partnering with Okta, whose identity and access management solutions have streamlined authentication processes, the department is setting new standards in educational technology, Hughes told iTnews during a podcast show, discussing the transformative power of technology in education with Okta’s head of public sector, James Enoch.
"My role is to ensure that we can deliver equitable access to digital resources, digital learning, and communications for the broader state," Hughes said.
“We provide technical services for over 900 sites and ensure they have secure, centralised capabilities to connect to impactful teaching and learning platforms. Our vision is to ensure equitable access, enabling students to learn and thrive in our public education system.”
EdPass: A Game-Changer for School Security
According to Hughes, the EdPass initiative, a single sign-on powered by Okta, has revolutionised school security and access management. "This has not only heightened security, but also built confidence among teachers and principals in utilising technology.”
By reducing the time spent on logins - teachers log in once as compared to 15 times - Okta has helped create a more efficient and secure digital environment.
“It has simplified the digital experience for students and teachers, allowing them to focus more on learning and less on administrative tasks.”
Notably, the focus was on finding a balance between security and usability, Hughes said.
"If it’s too restrictive, staff won’t generally use it. But the technology was simplified to the extent that we didn’t need to have that conversation,” he said, explaining the result is a more secure and user-friendly environment that allows teachers to focus on their primary roles.
Partner-led Approach
Reflecting on some project wins, Hughes said it succeeded because it took a partnership-led approach with Okta, who were eager to collaborate rather than simply sell a product, prioritising meaningful solutions tailored to its educational needs.
“Unlike traditional commercial relationships, Okta was keen to understand our context and explore what a meaningful solution would look like for our students and staff across the state. It was refreshing to see their genuine interest in making a difference.”
Additionally, Okta head of public sector, James Enoch, said the partnership-led approach has not only enhanced teachers’ login experiences - ensuring they have seamless and secure access - but has also levelled the playing field across all schools in the state.
“We've established a unified authentication system for students across 900 schools, ensuring equal access to digital resources whether they attend a large city school or a small rural one. This consistency directly enhances their educational experience,” Enoch said.
“These benefits are substantial and represent a significant stride forward for educational technology nationwide. The department has truly set a new standard for what's achievable in this field.”
Innovations and Future Plans with AI
Meanwhile, the department's embrace of AI technologies, such as EdChat, exemplifies its commitment to innovative education, Hughes said.
“These tools support differentiated learning and help reduce the administrative burden on teachers, enabling them to devote more time to personalised instruction.”
Okta’s Enoch agreed, highlighting the transformative potential of these technologies: “AI and wearable tech are not just buzzwords. They are tools that, when implemented thoughtfully, can drastically enhance the learning experience and provide teachers with more time to focus on individual student needs.”
For more insights into the South Australian Department for Education’s digital transformation journey, listen to the full podcast with Daniel Hughes and James Enoch here.
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