Importance of Power Banks in Online Teaching
We’ll first start by discussing the role that the best charging stations and power banks play in online teaching. The focus here is to help you, as an online educator, better understand the role that these devices can have in your daily operations.
Power Challenges Faced by Online Educators
There are certain challenges that online educators sometimes face when it comes to keeping things powered up. Even though electricity throughout Australia is often considered reliable, outages and electrical faults can still happen.
Consider a scenario where you’re busy teaching, and the electricity suddenly goes off. Now you’re sitting in the dark. Maybe you’re working on a laptop, so the battery is still on, but your Wi-Fi went off along with the power. You’re cut off from the live stream with a one-on-one teaching session.
The Role of Power Banks in Maintaining Device Connectivity
A power bank essentially helps to ensure you can maintain device connectivity in the case of a power failure or electrical problem.
The fact that your laptop has a battery isn’t enough to ensure connectivity isn’t interrupted. Consider how your router is powered up. It’s likely connected directly to a power socket. When there’s an interruption in your electricity, the router is going to be affected.
However, when it runs through the power station, your internet connection remains stable even in these events. Should interruptions happen, the power station will kick in and continue powering up the devices that you’ve connected to it. Your mobile phone, laptop, and all other devices maintain their connectivity throughout the entire situation.
Solar-Powered Power Banks as a Solution for Online Teaching
Some online teachers may not realize the full set of benefits that a solar powered power pack has to offer. In this section, we’ll take a look at what this is, how it works, and the main advantages that you can expect.
Explanation of Solar-Powered Technology
Tech that's solar-powered basically means they take power from the sun. It's different from the more traditional way of generating electricity.
With your regular electricity, a fuel source is burnt. Fossil fuel combustion, for example, helps generate electricity. This power is stored in power stations and distributed. However, it adds to climate change and pollution.
Solar power doesn’t have any emissions. The only thing you need is the right solar panels and UV exposure (sun rays).
There are a few different ways to convert sunlight to electricity. Photovoltaic panels are commonly used. Radiation can sometimes also be concentrated using a set of mirrors.
Advantages of Solar-Powered Power Banks for Online Teaching
Why should online teachers consider the best charging stations and solar charger panels for their operations? Let's take a look at what the main advantages are that you can expect:
- If you own a solar-powered power bank, you don't need to worry about power interruptions. This system takes over and keeps your devices running when the power goes out.
- You may continue to use even a few of your appliances with the best power bank Australia has to offer. Some of these can charge your phone, power up your computer, fridge, lights, router, and much more, depending on the particular system.
- You are not restricted to using these power systems only at home because they are portable. Whether you're planning a trip or simply want to go camping but still need to stay in touch with your students, a solar-powered power bank keeps you connected.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Using a solar-powered power bank has benefits beyond your own gain. This kind of action also benefits the environment.
Air pollution is a contributing factor in about 3,200 deaths each year in Australia alone[2]. When you examine the emissions from conventional power-producing systems, this is only one kind of pollution that occurs.
You may lessen your influence on the environment by making the move to green energy sources. You also provide yourself a chance to personally encounter sustainable energy.
Independence from Traditional Power Sources
You also get to become independent from the traditional power sources that we’ve been relying on for many years.
Traditional electricity systems are pricy over the long term. Plus, they’re not always as reliable as we want them to be. As you continue to integrate more solar solutions into your life, you’re slowly transitioning away from your dependence on these sources.
Energy Preparedness
With a solar powered power bank, you have an opportunity to be energy prepared. It basically means that you’re ready for any situation to happen.
It’s not just about power outages. Electrical problems can develop at home at any time. If this happens, you don’t want to wait for an electrician to come out before you can resume your class. With this tech at hand, you can just switch on the solar powered power bank and continue working while the electrician looks for the issue.
Cost-Effectiveness in the Long Run
Another thing that you have to keep in mind is the cost of traditional power sources compared to using solar energy.
Yes, purchasing a solar-powered power bank capable of supporting the equipment required for online instruction will require an initial outlay of funds. Think about the long-term expenses associated with having to pay a monthly electricity bill, though. You'll quickly see that, over time, embracing renewable energy sources like the sun can really save more money.
Best Practices for Using Solar-Powered Power Banks in Online Teaching
With this newfound knowledge, you can better plan your online teaching activities with a lithium battery power station equipped with solar panels. Once you've made the decision to use the technology, it's critical to comprehend recommended procedures. This will enable you to maximize the return on your investment in a renewable energy source.
Proper Care and Maintenance
It is imperative that you properly maintain the power plant first and foremost. You must follow the cleaning and upkeep guidelines included with the solar powered power bank.
Regularly checking on every system component is also part of maintenance. Additionally, you must make sure the power plant is situated properly. For example, it should have adequate ventilation. Its longevity may be increased as a result.
Optimizing Solar Charging Capabilities
When it comes to best practices for using these power solutions, it’s important to understand how you can optimize the charging capabilities of the solar panels.
The best way to do this is to ensure you position the panels properly. They need to be exposed to direct sunlight. If this is not something that you ensure, you may find that it takes a long time for the battery to fully charge.
Some of these devices may give you guidance on how well it’s charging based on sunlight exposure. If that’s the case with your power station, make sure to adjust the panels a bit. This way, you can find the best spot to ensure your batteries are always full when you need to use them.
Integrating Power Banks Into Daily Teaching Routines
As an online teacher, you can easily start to implement a power bank as a backup solution in your home office. However, it's important to gradually start relying more on these power banks.
After a month of using the power bank for backup, you should consider integrating these solutions further. This may include relying on solar energy to keep your computer running, the lights on, and your phone charged during the day. This means you'll be using the sun's energy to keep these things on during the day. It's going to help reduce your electricity bill by the end of the month.
Over time, you may find yourself even relying on the energy stored in the battery you have in the power station later in the day. For example, you could use it to boil the kettle, watch TV, and for other activities. This way, you’re essentially integrating the solar powered power bank into more than just your teaching routines.
Recommended Solar-Powered Power Banks for Online Teaching
If you’re teaching online, you might want a reliable solar powered power bank that won’t disappoint. That’s why you have to put in some time to do the research. Your goal is to find the best options for your needs.
There are several brands that make solar powered power pack options and stations. However, when it comes to reliability and considering a company that really wants to make an impact on the environment, Jackery is one that you shouldn’t overlook.
We have a couple of different options to choose from. However, we’re going to report two of the best options for those who are teaching online.
1. Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station
The best choice for maximizing energy is the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station. It has an easy-to-use digital control panel, a sturdy outer case, and a handle for convenient carrying.
The machine's front is equipped with many outlets. This guarantees that you can just plug in your gadgets to the power station to maintain their full charge and power. From phones to laptops or any other equipment in your teaching process, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station supports 99% of devices.
You can get remarkable performance with a LiFePO4 battery. Furthermore, the battery has a minimum 10-year lifespan. Also, using the power station doesn't require you to be concerned about noise. Therefore, you can teach comfortably in a quiet environment. In addition, with Advanced IBC Technology on the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station can be fully charged in just 6 hours with six 100W-panels.
2. Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro Portable Power Station
If your power needs aren’t as demanding, but you still want a backup solution, then the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro Portable Power Station is a good option. It comes with a portable design and there are several options for adding solar panels. The Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro Portable Power Station weighs only 11.5 kg, which is only 70% of the weight and size compared to other brands with the same capacity.
There are two standard outlets on the front of the station. You can also use USB-C and USB devices directly with the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro Portable Power Station. In addition to these features, the light function gives you an easy way to illuminate dark areas. This is incredibly useful when there’s a power outage or electrical faults while teaching.
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro Portable Power Station can be fully recharged in only 1.8 hours through a wall charge. It can then run your laptop, charge your phone, and keep the lights on for several hours.
Conclusion
When you’re teaching online, you can’t afford to struggle with power outages. You need a backup power solution to ensure there’s no downtime. With the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station or the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro Portable Power Station, you can easily keep the lights and computer on, even when the electricity is out. Jackery has been in the industry since 2012 and continues to deliver exceptional quality to people who need solar power solutions.
References
- Online Education- Australia. Available at: https://www.statista.com/outlook/emo/online-education/australia (Accessed:5th, July)
- 3,200 deaths a year: 1 of many reasons air pollution in Australia demands urgent national action. Available at: https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2023/09/3-200-deaths-a-year--1-of-many-reasons-air-pollution-in-australi (Accessed: 5th,July)
