Primary school hardware (swapping computers for iPads?)

[Blue_Cookeh]

This is probably a highly controversial subject but I'm just wondering if there's anyone out there that has done this?

 

We've got an ageing population of computers in a couple of our classrooms and it's going to be astronomical to replace them with anything decent. I've got around 50 machines that needs replacing that looks as if it'll cost around £15-17,000 to do in the best case scenario. Now I'm thinking that iPads with a keyboard would provide a better solution. They'd be slightly cheaper, they have an (arguably) longer life span, are instant-on in classrooms and there would be minimal licensing costs involved vs our current Microsoft Desktop pack. We're already using Office365 and redirect all documents etc into OneDrive.

 

Has anyone done it? Do you have any gotchas? These wouldn't be a 1-to-1 deployment, but I'm thinking carts of iPads could in theory work a lot better than traditional Windows PCs, especially in schools with decreasing budgets. This would mean the only Windows machines we have to support are a couple of servers and the teacher's devices (I don't think iPads would cut it for teachers/admin staff).

 

I'm almost certain this question has come up before!

Edited March 13, 2018 by Blue_Cookeh

[DJ-1701]

One thing I will say about this is that you're most likely looking at up to 5 years of updates if you're lucky.

Backups would also be interesting, as I understand it Apple are not following either the old EU Safeharbour agreement, nor the US-EU PrivacyShield agreement.

[Blue_Cookeh]

One thing I will say about this is that you're most likely looking at up to 5 years of updates if you're lucky.

Backups would also be interesting, as I understand it Apple are not following either the old EU Safeharbour agreement, nor the US-EU PrivacyShield agreement.

 

I was working on the assumption of hardware lasting 5 years - at the moment we might get 5 years out of laptops if we're lucky but they start to show their age pretty quickly when you're talking low end models like schools buy in bulk.

 

In terms of Safe Harbour etc does it make any difference? I suppose it depends on the services you're using but I'm imagining MS Office suite integrated with Office365 (which is GDPR compliant as it is) - we disable all iCloud functionality in our MDM for both teachers and staff.

[DJ-1701]

I was working on the assumption of hardware lasting 5 years - at the moment we might get 5 years out of laptops if we're lucky but they start to show their age pretty quickly when you're talking low end models like schools buy in bulk.

 

In terms of Safe Harbour etc does it make any difference? I suppose it depends on the services you're using but I'm imagining MS Office suite integrated with Office365 (which is GDPR compliant as it is) - we disable all iCloud functionality in our MDM for both teachers and staff.

 

Fair enough then on both counts.

[yac2016]

Have you thought about Chromebooks?, Single Sign on and you can use them with Office 365 and they are easy to manage...

[Blue_Cookeh]

Have you thought about Chromebooks?, Single Sign on and you can use them with Office 365 and they are easy to manage...

 

That's not a bad idea - I'll see if I can get one to play with!

[PrimaryNetMan]

Neverware is also another option. There is even a version for O365 now if G Suite isn't your bag. https://www.neverware.com/office365/#office365title

[yac2016]

Make sure you enrol in GSuite for Education, purchase a Chrome mgmt license to see the full benefits of the Cbromebook.

[elsiegee40]

What software does your primary school want to use? Does it need the kids to use a proper keyboard. iPads aren't great for typing up documents.

 

You, or rather your SLT, really need to see if your teachers are prepared to change their teaching away from traditional computers.