Year end budget spend!

[SteveB_NI]

Received a nice “use it or lose it” spending objective before end of the accounting year. It mostly has to tie in with impact from Covid.

 

What would be on your list of need or indeed nice to haves given the current circumstances?

 

I’ve already got additional webcam facilities on the list, alongside potentially additional chrome books etc. Also thinking some tablets to refresh oldest staff iPads no longer able to obtain latest iOS.

 

Thanks in advance

[Steve21]

With the route we're unlocking, I'd highly suggest anything you felt you missed during this lockdown, ready for the next

 

(Tongue in cheek aside) - If going down the Covid-only route what about things like -

1) Visualisers/drawing tablets (we've been asked a lot about those for home work without smartboards etc, and marking assessments because it's all on teams etc)

2) Spare bank of laptops/tablets/mobile devices, whether for lending staff/students etc (almost as a ready-to-go for isolation, pickup pack with everything in it that might be needed as I'm guessing lots of isolations will still occur)

3) Licensing updated to user-based models and/or cloud-based alternatives (e.g. Adobe CC for user licenses rather than device based, so it could be used at home etc to catchup/during lockdowns)

4) Any updates/backups etc required linked to cloud items like Teams/Suite if you don't already have them, with the amount of items now on them

5) Revision/Learning subscriptions to websites for those kids in need (thinking subscriptions to things like Seneca etc) if you're allowed to spend it on that kind of items

 

Depending on how much you have there's lots of things but guess if you have any constraints would be good to know before waffling on

 

Steve

[SteveB_NI]

Thanks @Steve21 - definitely agree with you there, I'm keeping my equipment updated & set up ready at home for remote working again .... enough said

 

1. Good call on the drawing tablets - definitely would be useful. Will look into those. We tend to use iPads with clamp mounts as visualisers - but could do with a few more of them. Added to the list too!

2. We have a good supply of laptops already which can be used off site, but thinking looking into Chromebooks for a class set - the students have been using Google classroom etc a lot so should be ok with them. Also would benefit from the great battery life. Also the possibility of having access to extra resources, in the event of another lockdown is ideal.

3. Thankfully we already have access to Office 365 etc, through our managed network provider. And as of the past week - access to Adobe Spark which could be useful.

4. Backups thankfully handled again by managed service provider

5. This is a good shout - will look into these subscriptions.

 

As regards to spending limit - I'll be honest - I don't know yet. I am planning a "nice to have" list for the principal and will discuss next week! Just thought I would bounce of here for any extra ideas - thanks so much, keep them coming!

 

So far I have on the list (some provided by the principal): Apple iPads - replace oldest stock due replacement now, Apple TVs to provide touch free screen casting, hopefully a number of replacement screens removing the old projector set up to allow connection to web cams and mean students can see clearly from greater distance & spread in classrooms, a large panel display on a mobile trolley to allow movement into other areas etc if required for splitting classes, Chrome books class set, Web cams, and more speakers.

 

Seen a school recently with silicone keyboard covers but I really don't know about them.

 

Thanks for your reply

[BenQ_Chris]

Hi, if you have any need for interactive flat panels (or digital signage screens) I'd be happy to help. It may also interest you to know we also now do webcams (DVY21, DVY22, DVY23). Let me know if I can be of any assistance.