How Schools Can Ensure Better Interactive Touchscreen Management

Interactive touchscreens deserve a lot of attention from school district IT administrators. This device is the ultimate, all-in-one teaching tool in the classroom. It replaces not just the marker-based whiteboard but also the classroom projector and video player.

For today’s generation of students who grew up with smartphones, learning by interactive touchscreen offers a more familiar interface. It also means highly active learning, better engagement, and enhanced collaboration. Meanwhile, teachers appreciate the tool’s ease of use and a marked increase in interest from students.

Managing Interactive Touchscreen Devices for Schools

Readying classrooms means preparing the interactive touchscreen for heavy use. IT administrators have their work cut out for them. They’ll need to make sure all the school district’s devices are ready for use.

For interactive touchscreen devices, in particular, having the right tools and using the most efficient processes can help immensely. District IT teams will need to revisit the tools they use and the methods they employ. Use these best practices to ensure your district’s devices are well-maintained.

Get Reliable Device Management Software

First, IT administrators need to select a reliable mobile device management solution. This software plays a significant role in managing, maintaining and securing the school’s entire fleet of smart devices.

Using default device management software may not be the best way to approach the job of managing school devices. For instance, limited network capabilities often lead to an inefficient connection to individual devices. As a result, IT teams will need to spend more time diagnosing and troubleshooting devices one-by-one. It also means large school districts that deploy hundreds or thousands of devices may encounter more device management issues.

Apply Updates and Install Apps via Cloud

Instead of relying on off-the-shelf solutions that offer limited features, school districts should strongly consider cloud-based device management software. When the tools needed for the job are available on the cloud, IT teams can connect instantly. As a result, downloading or installing additional tools or modules takes less time.

In addition, cloud access means IT administrators can perform simultaneous connections to the entire school district’s fleet of devices. They can perform critical software updates, apply patches or roll back versions to all devices at once.

Wireless connectivity also means the maintenance team can manage which devices receive updates or new installations. Depending on the need, admins can apply updates across all devices in the fleet or install apps only on selected devices.

Assign User Access Levels

Recognizing that different members of the organization play different roles, the efficient system administrator should create and assign access levels for users across the school district. For example, front-line users such as teachers and assistants can be given user access limited to operating the interactive touchscreen and using the authorized applications.

Meanwhile, school administrators and other high-ranking officials can receive a different access level. In addition to the device’s teaching applications, they are also given access to user data. School executives can gather and analyze this information to generate valuable insights, which can help shape the school’s future direction.

Of course, the IT team will have no access to learning modules and user data. However, they will retain access to the system software and individual applications. This allows them to perform maintenance and troubleshooting tasks throughout the school year.

Apply Interactive Touchscreen Device Security

IT administrators should anticipate any instance where people will try to use school devices outside of learning. They should take all precautions and secure each device from potential troublemakers.

Some enterprising students might get the urge to attempt to access school devices. For instance, they may try to show off their hacking prowess by tampering with school documents, vandalizing the interface or copying private data. Left unattended inside the classroom, students could see this as an opportunity to make unwelcome advances.

However, the right device management software prevents these malicious activities. Admins can choose to disable or freeze devices flagged with unauthorized access. They can also wipe private information in devices deemed stolen or missing to prevent data theft.

Maintain Remote Management Throughout the School Year

Even when the new school year starts, the IT team should maintain the ability to access all interactive touchscreen devices remotely. This way, they can help troubleshoot even minor concerns such as adjusting screen settings or restarting problematic apps.

Remote management also allows school admins and district superintendents to piggyback on all interactive touchscreen devices when broadcasting important messages. This impromptu broadcast system can be especially helpful in times of emergency. Admins can send alerts or instructions to the entire school body during weather disturbances, crisis events and other similar situations.

Protect Your School District’s Interactive Touchscreen Investment

A classroom interactive touchscreen is a substantial investment that requires constant monitoring and maintenance. But don’t worry—the effort will pay off and result in more efficient usage and longer lifespans for each device.

IT administrators should look into getting reliable device management software solutions. Each interactive touchscreen’s potential to provide thousands of hours of active learning depends on how much time the IT team dedicates to maintaining, managing and securing their fleet.

Getting the right software solution can give school districts a comprehensive platform to centrally manage interactive touchscreen devices across the entire district. For an additional but minimal investment, administrators can receive a powerful, integrated solution that helps keep school devices performing optimally.

Keeping a fleet of well-maintained devices means improved active learning experiences for students. At the same time, school districts get better and longer-lasting returns for their educational technology investments.