Businesses were just one of the many sectors that had to learn to reinvent themselves and adapt to a post-COVID world. Schools are another sector that was particularly hard hit.
The disruption of having to immediately adjust to a remote learning environment meant that many schools in the Lake Okeechobee area and the rest of the country had to depend on technology more than ever.
1:1 devices have been used in the classroom for a while, giving students a consistent, dedicated device they can use at home and school for classwork. But when the classroom has become virtual or a hybrid of some type, those devices become more important than ever.
82.7% of teachers say that technology helps them do their jobs better.
Not every family has the ability for their child to have a dedicated device to use for their schoolwork. So, when schools can supply a tablet or laptop, it makes a big difference in the educational opportunity for a child.
Classroom technology setup has to accommodate both the teachers and students without getting in the way of the learning. This means knowing which devices to buy that will be durable and offer the best value for the money.
What to Consider When Purchasing Classroom Devices for Students
Technology is a must these days for at-home students to stay connected to their teachers and continue learning in an uncertain environment.
Students are currently being taught in a hybrid of at home full-time, going to in-person school part-time, or going to class full-time with the potential of quarantine any day. Technology remains the connector between all those educational models.
Here are several considerations to help you choose the best 1:1 technology for your students.
Durability of the Device
Devices need to be durable enough to withstand the “rough and tumble” environment of going between home and school in a child’s backpack, potential drops, and being stacked with school books.
So, you don’t want to go too cheap at the risk of buying devices that will break more easily.
When purchasing laptops, look for those with solid-state drives (SSD), which are more forgiving of being dropped and jostled around than traditional hard drives.
The Age of the Students
Some ages find tablets easier to manipulate. This is usually younger grades that often have lessons with big visual images and point and click lessons.
Older students will be typing more report-style assignments, in which case a tablet can be more difficult to use because it doesn’t have a traditional keyboard. In this case a laptop or Chromebook may be better.
Consider the types of schoolwork and learning activities students will be doing in their grade level when choosing between tablet or laptop.
How Are Devices Being Secured?
Device security is important if you want to keep your school network secure from breaches. Kids don’t always know which sites may be dangerous and can easily get exposed to viruses if their devices aren’t properly protected. Cybercrime is also rising, which increases the threat environment.
The best way to protect classroom devices is to ensure they’re on a managed IT plan that includes regular device patches and updates, managed antivirus, web protection, and other device security measures.
Cris’s Tech Repair is experienced working with classroom technology, so we can also put device restrictions in place that limit the types of activities that can be done on a device to reduce risk.
Battery Life
Another consideration when choosing 1:1 devices for the classroom is the battery life. If you have devices that don’t keep their charge long, that means a lot of disruption in the classroom as kids need to recharge or can’t get to assignments because their battery has gone dead.
You want to consider using technology that has a charge which lasts the school day, plus some, in the range of about 8-10 hours
Have a Student Device Use Policy
If your school is new to issuing dedicated 1:1 devices to students, then you’ll want to make sure you put a device use policy into place. This will ensure that students and parents know what to expect and what their responsibilities are when it comes to those devices.
Some potential questions to answer in your 1:1 device policy include:
- What do I do if my device is damaged, lost, or stolen?
- What if I forget my device at home?
- How should I store my device?
- Can I use my device for playing games?
- What sites can I browse on my device?
- Can I let someone else use my device?
- What training will I receive on the device?
- What do I do If I think my device has a virus?
- Will online activity on school devices be monitored?
- When does my device need to be turned in?
Get Help with the Technology Your School Needs to Stay Connected
The pandemic has made for a challenging time when it comes to education and how students learn. Cris’s Tech Repair can empower your school to stay connected to students, no matter what, with the right technology tools.
Learn more by calling 561-985-4961 or contacting us online.