Technology has become an integral part of education, transforming the way students learn and teachers teach. Prior to COVID-19, one-to-one (1-to-1) device deployment was becoming more widespread; this refers to the practice of providing every student with their own device—laptop, Chromebook or tablet—for use in the  classroom and at home. During and after the pandemic, with remote learning and now hybrid learning models in place, schools are recognizing the benefits 1-to-1 offers in terms of personalized learning, digital literacy, and collaboration.

There are several benefits and challenges to this approach. For one, it helps level the playing field for students who do not have consistent access to technology at home. And 1-to-1 allows for more personalized learning experiences, as teachers can tailor assignments and activities to individual students’ needs and interests. Additionally, it can help to prepare students for the digital world they will enter after graduation. 

However there are some challenges to 1-to-1 device deployment. For example, it can be difficult for schools to manage, maintain, and afford to repair and replace a large number of devices, especially if they have limited IT resources. There is also the risk of students becoming distracted or misusing the devices, which can hinder learning. Limiting screen time at home is always a struggle, but providing students 24/7 access to devices can create headaches for parents. 

Before implementing 1-to-1 device deployment, schools should identify their objectives and goals. These might include enhancing digital literacy, fostering collaboration, personalizing learning experiences, or improving academic achievement. Clearly defining these goals will help guide decision-making throughout  the implementation process. 

How Schools Manage One-to-One Device Deployment

1. Develop Clear Policies and Procedures 

Schools should develop clear policies and procedures for device use, including guidelines for appropriate behavior and consequences for misuse. These policies should be communicated to students, teachers, and parents, and should be regularly reviewed and updated as needed. This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to device use and there are clear expectations for behavior. Along those same lines, with increased device usage, schools need to prioritize teaching digital citizenship and online safety. Students must learn about responsible technology use, internet privacy and how to navigate the digital world responsibly.

2. Provide Ongoing Training and Support

Schools should provide ongoing training and support for teachers and students to ensure that everyone is comfortable and confident using the devices. This can include training sessions, online resources and help desk support. Teachers should also be provided with guidance on how to integrate the devices into their lesson plans and how to use them effectively to enhance learning. This will take additional staff and resources and as we learned during COVID, there are growing pains when implementing new instructional models. 

3. Use Cloud-Based Applications

Cloud-based applications can help to simplify device management by allowing students and teachers to access their files and applications from anywhere with an internet connection. This can also help to reduce the amount of storage needed on individual devices, which can be a concern for schools with limited resources. Devices such as Chromebooks—which run solely cloud-based applications and have no storage capacity—are considerably less expensive than laptop and tablet counterparts and require less power to charge.

4. Consider a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program

In some cases, schools may choose to implement a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program, which allows students to use their own personal devices in the classroom. This can help to reduce the burden on schools to provide and manage devices, but it also requires careful planning and management to ensure that everyone has access to the same resources and security and privacy concerns are addressed.

5. Infrastructure and Technical Support

Schools need robust IT infrastructure and technical support systems to handle deployment, maintenance and troubleshooting of a large number of devices. Adequate planning and ongoing support are essential to address technical issues promptly.

• Software Implementation—Device management software can help schools manage and maintain a large number of devices. This software can be used to track device inventory, monitor device usage and to push out updates and security patches. It can also be used to remotely lock or wipe a device of data in the event they are lost or stolen.
• On-site Charging—Students may not be bringing devices back to school fully charged for use.  Schools can plan ahead by providing charging stations with battery packs or charging lockers. These are much safer alternatives to multiple extension cords and AC bricks while providing power to students needing to complete coursework. Two examples are EarthWalk’s eCharger charging system (a locking, portable charging case with six integrated battery packs) and the soon-to-be-released eCharge6 charging locker (a solid steel locker with six individually locked compartments pre-wired with USBC-PD cables).

Overall, managing 1-to-1 device deployment requires careful planning and management, but it can provide many benefits for students and teachers. By addressing the challenges and implementing effective strategies, schools can provide their students with the technology they need to succeed in the 21st century.