BYOD can be a good idea for schools. However, when students must provide a device that is able to run Microsoft and Adobe, as is required by Northern Beaches Secondary College, then the prices can skyrocket. The question must be asked whether Office is really so important, as well as whether or not Adobe products might be better served on only certain computers.
By switching to Google and Chromebooks, a large school can save a lot of money, but parents also save quite a bit because of the lower cost of Chromebooks. Adobe products are often unnecessary for student projects, and higher-end software will tax most of the cheap laptops students bring to school. Free photo editing tools on Chromebooks can nearly match Photoshop, and video editing is not going to go smoothly on most laptops.
We cannot with the desire of schools to save money by asking parents to purchase devices for their own children. However, when Windows devices cost twice as much as fairly comparable Chromebooks, schools must be able to prove that the cost is worth it. Right now, I am writing this blog on a 2008 laptop running Ubuntu. I could be using my $150 USD Chromebook. Or even my smartphone or tablet. That's what BYOD should be, and I can access my Google Drive on all those devices. I can even record and edit video and photos on all of them. Simple and cheap.
When Northern Beaches Secondary College makes the switch to a true BYOD system, we recommend Chromebooks. And when we recommend Chromebooks, we also recommend Cranium Chromebook Covers that also function as whiteboards. And they're available for all Chromebooks, including Dell, CTL, HP, Acer, Samsung, Asus, Lenovo, and more. Educabana contact.
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