Class Notebook (OneNote for Office 365)

[Dave_O]

Dear All

 

Is anyone using Class Notebook in a number of classes? We are finding that if there are 3 or more classes using Class Notebook (OneNote) simultaneously and they use the application rather than the online version, then bandwidth usage rises from an average of 15Mb/s to 85-90Mb/s. Clearly this is, in part, a function of the content of the OneNote notebook but is a disturbing trend if it is something which more staff want to use. Any information or feedback would be appreciated. Thank you

 

Dave O

[xlandhenry]

We have a lot more classes that are using class notebooks and we haven't seen that kind of surge in bandwidth.

 

We do educate the teachers not to drop too many big files in their Class Notebook, especially the pages that they distribute to their students.

[Dave_O]

We have a lot more classes that are using class notebooks and we haven't seen that kind of surge in bandwidth.

 

We do educate the teachers not to drop too many big files in their Class Notebook, especially the pages that they distribute to their students.

Do they (and importantly the students) use the web version or do they use the application? Makes a big difference

Edited November 26, 2016 by Dave_O

[snagrat]

We use desktop version and are seeing this happen. 1:1 devices across 6 classrooms.

 

We're probably going for a 1GB connection soon so hopefully will sort. This is a primary school

[Dave_O]

We use desktop version and are seeing this happen. 1:1 devices across 6 classrooms.

 

We're probably going for a 1GB connection soon so hopefully will sort. This is a primary school

 

Crikey Moses!! 1Gb for a primary. By my reckoning that means with 1750 students, 200 staff and 1200 devices we should need about 8-10Gb bandwidth!!! Not sure schools are aware of this issue. Clearly it depends on the Class Notebook content and whether it is used in the full application. To be honest how many staff will understand or care what they are putting into the Notebook to limit bandwidth use and as for telling them to use the online versions rather than the application, not going to happen at least not until MS have addressed the limitations of the online version.

 

So Google Classroom it is then.

[xlandhenry]

Do they (and importantly the students) use the web version or do they use the application? Makes a big difference

 

Our teachers use the client version exclusively, more students use the web version because they don't really need that many features, still there're quite a few who use the client version.

 

I think the content in these notebooks and usage patterns are more important factors here.

 

Unless the teacher is continuously distributing content heavy pages during the class, I don't see how the client version could cause more bandwidth spike than the web version.

[Dave_O]

Unless the teacher is continuously distributing content heavy pages during the class, I don't see how the client version could cause more bandwidth spike than the web version.

 

You're going to have to ask Microsoft that one. Possibly when the student updates the content in the app that creates bandwidth traffic which needs to be pushed up there? All I do is look at the bandwidth usage of the clients in a classroom using class OneNote and see that they are using around 2Mb/s each. Multiply that by 30 and most of the 100Mb/s internet feed is used up.

[xlandhenry]

Well what I'm recommending is to take a look at how the teachers have been using the notebooks.

 

Do teachers drop a lot of large files in one page then distribute that page to their students?

Do teachers ask students to upload files in the collaboration area during class?

 

Under our usage pattern(teacher uploads/distributes almost everything well before lesson begins) we hardly saw any bandwidth spikes during lessons, because the content have already been downloaded to the students' clients via automatic sync. And we strongly advise teachers not to use the class notebooks to store large files shared with students.

[Dave_O]

Well what I'm recommending is to take a look at how the teachers have been using the notebooks.

 

Do teachers drop a lot of large files in one page then distribute that page to their students?

Do teachers ask students to upload files in the collaboration area during class?

 

Under our usage pattern(teacher uploads/distributes almost everything well before lesson begins) we hardly saw any bandwidth spikes during lessons, because the content have already been downloaded to the students' clients via automatic sync. And we strongly advise teachers not to use the class notebooks to store large files shared with students.

 

1. Do teachers drop a lot of large files in one page then distribute that page to their students? - No they pre-create the content prior to the lesson

 

2. Do teachers ask students to upload files in the collaboration area during class? - Students upload and download files to their own area of the OneNote during the course of the lesson

 

3. ....because the content have already been downloaded to the students' clients via automatic sync. - ? This would only work in a 1 to 1 environment. Where multiple student use the same device then the OneNote will have to be downloaded each time a student logs in,when they are using the App, hence the issue

 

4. And we strongly advise teachers not to use the class notebooks to store large files shared with students - Mmmm I put it to you that the majority of teachers will take no notice of file sizes when uploading/downloading. I can just hear it now "It was only a one page Word document" forgetting to mention it contained a 50Mb un-optimised photo. Things like "Why don't you put the file elsewhere and just have a link to it in the OneNote" usually gets the response "Eh???" A damning indictment of teachers I know but, I am afraid, all too common.

 

 

As to the comment "Well what I'm recommending is to take a look at how the teachers have been using the notebooks." I'm not sure whether to take this as a joke or an insult. I'll assume the former.

[xlandhenry]

3. ....because the content have already been downloaded to the students' clients via automatic sync. - ? This would only work in a 1 to 1 environment. Where multiple student use the same device then the OneNote will have to be downloaded each time a student logs in,when they are using the App, hence the issue

 

OK, my bad. I assume you are a 1:1 school.

 

4. And we strongly advise teachers not to use the class notebooks to store large files shared with students - Mmmm I put it to you that the majority of teachers will take no notice of file sizes when uploading/downloading. I can just hear it now "It was only a one page Word document" forgetting to mention it contained a 50Mb un-optimised photo. Things like "Why don't you put the file elsewhere and just have a link to it in the OneNote" usually gets the response "Eh???" A damning indictment of teachers I know but, I am afraid, all too common.

 

Absolutely. Some will learn given time, trial and error, some may never. Nonetheless I always provide best practice advices when training the teachers, heeding it or not is up to them.

 

As to the comment "Well what I'm recommending is to take a look at how the teachers have been using the notebooks." I'm not sure whether to take this as a joke or an insult. I'll assume the former.

 

This is meant neither as a joke nor an insult. I'm just trying to help, sorry if this sounds offensive or sarcastic. English is not my native language.

Edited November 29, 2016 by xlandhenry

[Dave_O]

This is meant neither as a joke nor an insult. I'm just trying to help, sorry if this sounds offensive or sarcastic. English is not my native language.

 

Understood and no offence taken.