Choosing the right device for students in education environments.

by Scott Reeder

 Wow, have we ever seen an explosion in the new devices and gadgets that have hit the market over the last 12-18 months.  Unless you have been living in a box, there is no shortage new devices that continue to bombard us through the media.  Netbooks, notebooks, cell phones, laptops, tablets, pads, new form factors along with traditional computing devices are exploding.

 So what does all this mean for education and how do we keep an even keel when choosing the right technology tools for students?  As a technical strategist and gadet guy, it is tough not to get caught up in all the hype with the “device of the year”.

 For education and students, it is important that the tools chosen to deliver technology are based on sound and proven methodologies.

We can break the decision process into four simple areas to investigate.  There are many more, but these four areas of focus will reign in the chaos and help direct the selection process towards solid technology solutions.

1.  Content creation, content consumption or both?   From a high level view it is important to determine how the device will be used from a content standpoint.   Sure I may be able to write a term paper on both a cell phone and a laptop, but which of these devices will give me the best user experience and enhance the learning process.  Understanding how students will interact from a content standpoint will shape the device requirements rather quickly.
2. Mobility?   How portable or mobile does the device need to be or not?  Mobility has taken on many different tangents over the past few years with the growth of cell phones, netbooks and tablets.   Examining how students will use and interact with the device is critical.   Mobility can be within the classroom, within the school, or beyond the brick and mortar that surrounds the education environment.   Defining the how, when and where that a student will need to utilize technology devices to learn will give a clear vision as to the mobility requirements.
3. Life Cycle?   How long do I plan on using or keeping the device and use case in production?  Buying or choosing a device that has limited processing power, memory, storage or graphics can have profound implications on the future use of technology tools.  One needs to exam what the current curriculum and software requirements are of today and then project how they will change over the life cycle of the device.   Many technology deployments fall short over their life cycle when they were purchased with a narrow vision of “good enough”.   Software upgrades, OS updates, changes to student requirements and curriculum, hardware maintenance are all key factors in determining platform lifecycles.   In my travels around the country visiting many different schools, this is often the most critical part of implementing technology, and often the most overlooked.  Understanding how long devices will be in place and used before refreshing is critical to success.
4. It’s all about the applications!  What good is the latest gadget, widget, netbook or laptop if it cannot run the applications needed by our teachers and students?   Platforms must be chosen based on their ability to deliver rich interactive applications that foster a good learning experience.  Open platform systems that can deliver the right experience when deployed and leave the doorway open to upgrades, changes and additions over the lifecycle will provide the best overall experience to students.

 Again there are many more decisions that factor into choosing the right devices to expand the learning experience for students, but these four will set the conversation in the right direction.   It is important for all of us involved in this process that we have an open mindset, focus on the end goal (educating our students) and deliver solutions that offer the most rewarding experience for all that are involved.

 So let’s hear your thoughts and experiences in choosing the right platforms for education.