2023 Best MDM Solutions for Classroom Device Management

Technology has taken the world by storm, classroom device has now spilled into our classrooms as well. Students and teachers are now relying on technological devices more than ever as they help them expand their educational horizons. With so many devices being used in the classrooms, classroom device management has become inevitable.

Part 1: What is Classroom Device Management?

Classroom situations are always chaotic. Students frequently want to interact with their peers and are often distracted. With online education, this issue has become even more grave as the school authorities cannot know whether the students are learning using the devices or doing something else.

Keeping this issue in mind, teachers need to constantly maintain decorum and ensure that students are attentive rather than wasting their time on these devices. This is why classroom device management is vital.

Through effective classroom device management, teachers can prevent any disruptive or distractive usage of devices.

Part 2: Why is Classroom Device Management Essential to Education?

Why do we really need device management in the classrooms? Using technology at the school definitely has benefits; however, managing devices in the classroom may pose a challenge. Here are a few reasons why classroom device management is essential:

Security

One of the most important reasons why classroom device management is essential is security. With so many devices connected to a single school network, it becomes necessary that the school network is also secure so that the students and staff only have access to the required content.

Keeping Devices Updated

With so many devices being used across the entire school, keeping the devices updated with the latest hardware and software upgrades becomes challenging. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that these devices are running properly, with the newest learning applications on them.

Device Repair and Maintenance

Device management in schools needs to ensure that devices are adequately repaired and maintained whenever necessary. This involves regulatory checks, ensuring they are always in excellent working order, and provision of technical support whenever required.

Ensuring Proper Device Usage

Schools need to implement a variety of procedures and policies to ensure that students utilize technology responsibly and appropriately. With proper classroom device management, it can be assured that students are using devices for the purpose of learning and are not engaging in any inappropriate online activities such as cyberbullying.

Secure App Deployment

Secure app deployment is significant as it helps ensure that only safe and approved applications are installed on classroom devices. This will reduce any potential risks of data breaches, malware infections, or other security threats.

Save Teachers'Time

Managing classroom devices will also save a lot of time for educators as it will ensure that the students are never distracted and are always learning.

Part 3: Common Problems in Classroom Device Management

There are several problems in classroom device management that the teachers and students tend to face:

1 Security and Compliance

Android devices are risky by default. As there are several devices being used all over the school, threats, and security breaches also increase. There may also be a need to ensure that all connections are secure.

2 Unauthorized App Updates and Downloads

Another problem educators may face during classroom device management is the unauthorized update and download of certain applications. This may pose a serious issue as it exposes the entire network to security attacks and vulnerabilities.

3 Network Access Control

Internal data breaches in any institution are a serious thing. Since all the devices in the school are connected, including those of teachers and students, network access control can be a grave issue. Exam papers, tests, and other important data may be accessed by unauthorized personnel.

4 User Preferences and Experiences

Classroom device management will fail to be beneficial when students and teachers are not able to access the data that they require to improve their productivity. It must be done in a way that each individual can access relevant data immediately.

5 Device Connectivity Issues

In addition to network security issues, device connectivity is a significant problem. Devices need to be connected to each other and the school network all the time.

6 Monitoring and Control

With so many devices running on the school network, monitoring and controlling them can be a major challenge for the IT admin. Ensuring that the students cannot view private school data or the teachers do not open sensitive information, monitoring, and controlling can be a major problem.

Part 4: Best MDM Solutions for Classroom Device Management

All of the problems with classroom device management can be solved with the help of an efficient MDM solution. AirDroid Business is one of the best MDM solutions available on the market. Here is all that AirDroid Business can do to effectively manage devices in your classroom:

Part 5: How MDM Solutions Impact Classroom Device Management?

Well-managed devices blend into the learning environment instead of being a barrier, thereby allowing educators to focus on their teaching practices and students to keep learning.

1 Enables Learning

Students flourish because of the emotional and social aspects of learning as they not only learn in a conducive environment but also connect to their peers. In case of devices malfunctioning, students may find that they are unable to participate in their classes and engage with their classmates.

Moreover, teachers also require a rugged, robust device that can handle a large workload without interrupting the lessons. Classroom devices that are efficiently managed by MDM solutions are crucial for the educational success of both teachers and students. This is especially important in today’s remote/hybrid modes of learning.

2 Minimizes Potential Network Vulnerabilities

Education sector is probably one of the most vulnerable to cyberattacks. It becomes increasingly important that teacher and student data remains safe. Also, with so many students learning through their devices connected to the school network, it becomes even more significant that the device network remains secure.

MDM solutions can not only keep all the devices in the school network secure but can also automate rollouts for updates and apply patches during the school’s off-hours.

3 Blocks Access to Inappropriate Content

Considering their age, students tend to be the most vulnerable to inappropriate content available on the internet. Having a safe learning environment for the students is the key to flourish.

One way of ensuring that students stay away from inappropriate material is to have control over what content the students can access. This can be a tricky task as the internet is also a mode of learning for the students. A strong MDM solution has to be flexible enough to ensure that students continue to learn without being over-restrictive.

4 Enables Remote Troubleshooting

With a large number of staff and students connected to the school network, it is nearly impossible for the school's IT team to stay on top of all the troubleshooting issues and be available on-site all the time.

MDM solutions allow for remote management of these devices, which gives the IT admins access to the devices no matter where they are. The admins can ensure that the devices remain updated and are maintained regularly to avoid any interruptions to the learning process.

Conclusion

As essential and refreshing as the old teaching methods may be, it is a fact that technology is here to stay in the learning environment. Since there is no stopping this technology, we may as well arm ourselves against the negative aspects of it in the classroom. An efficient MDM solution such as AirDroid Business is the best way to achieve this.