Implementing an Individualized Device Program?
Many districts are doing the same and have best practices to share.
In February 2016, the Center for Digital Education (CDE) surveyed 221 educators, district and school administrators and technology leaders to find out the status of their device implementations, their challenges and their best practices for success.
1:1 initiatives are on the rise.
49% of respondents said they have a program in place for students to have an individually allocated device. 1/4 of those who do not have a program are planning to have one in the future. 1/3 of districts with an individualized device initiative have a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. 74% plan to expand their individualized device program to include more students.
More students have access to devices.
58% of respondents said over half of their students have access to personal devices in the classroom. 70% of students are most likely to use laptops, 60% tablets, 17% phones, 16% Chromebooks, 13% convertible tablets and 3% e-readers.
Expectations are high.
The top three desired outcomes are increased student engagement (69%), improved achievement (57%) and personalized instruction (57%). Top drivers for purchasing student devices are 21st-century learning (61%), personalized learning (50%) and project-based learning (41%).
Challenges still exist.
Some of the biggest challenges cited include budgetary constraints (70%), limited network capacity (29%), resistance from staff (15%), privacy concerns (14%), lack of policy regarding device deployment programs (11%), existing policy hindering implementation (10%) and inadequate charging and storage options (9%).
5 best practices to ease implementation
Do not expect a quick rollout. Many respondents said it would take at least three years to fully implement their individualized device programs.
Find adequate funding. The most commonly used funding sources for devices are grants (41%), operational funds (37%) and federal funds (25%).
Put policies in place. 79% of districts have a student usage policy, 78% have an internet usage policy, and 65% have teacher and staff usage policies.
Make sure teachers’ devices have more functionality. Respondents said teachers’ devices should have specific software programs (56%), more storage (43%) and remote access to student devices (36%).
Ensure classroom devices have adequate storage. Storage capacity was ranked as the number one feature for classroom devices.
This infographic was sponsored by Insight Public Sector and Microsoft.