Debunked: The myths surrounding iPads in schools

The Greeks have nothing on iPads in schools when it comes to mythology.

A handful of tetchy technophobes have been quick to rubbish the use of iPads in schools. But, on pretty much every count, it turns out their view is a little wide of the mark.

So, to straighten things out once-and-for-all, here are five of the most common myths totally debunked.

5 common myths about iPads in schools

You’ve probably heard at least one of these things said about iPads in schools:

1) “They’re just a distraction”

Some say iPads are simply a waste of time. They expect kids to spend lessons merrily scrolling through the Internet, playing games or chatting with friends.

Myth busted: Ever heard of Zuludesk? This handy IT gadget has got you covered.

It’s a tool known as a mobile device management (MDM) system. And, it’s the only one designed especially for education.

Use it to remotely disable any apps or features you’re not using that might tempt your little folks to turn their attention away.

2) “They take ages to set up”

Some teachers think they’ll spend half the lesson setting up iPads, making them miss out on valuable teaching time.

Myth busted: Have you ever seen a kid on a tablet? They’re lightning fast, and might even know what they’re doing better than you!

In those rare cases where a little instruction is required, you can use your Zuludesk to send easy steps to the class using their individual devices.

3) “They’re not secure”

Some believe using iPads in schools is about as secure as cutting a huge hole in your school fence.

Myth busted: Apple products – including iPads – are far safer than PCs when it comes to viruses, spyware and the like.

But, if you’re still worried about bugs, student privacy or anything else, there’s a huge choice of affordable security options to give you that extra bit of protection.

4) “They’ll tank your school network”

Some think all those digital devices will send your school network belly-up, meaning glitches and super-slow internet speeds.

Myth busted: You’ll never use all your devices at once, so you don’t actually need much more bandwidth/Wi-Fi capacity.

In all honesty, a decent school network should already be able to handle this. But, you might just need to ask your resident IT boffins to make a minor tweak when it comes to your radio frequency (RF) setup.

5) “They’re too expensive”

Some people will tell you iPads in school are just too expensive, and not worth the cash you’ll inevitably end up shelling out.

Myth busted: These people obviously haven’t heard about flexible leasing arrangements.

This financing model – available from Utility Rentals – allows you to spread the cost over an agreed period.

At the end of your contract, you can just swap your devices out for the latest versions without emptying your school budget.

Now you know the truth about iPads in schools, all you’ve got left to figure out is the wonderful ways you’ll use them in the classroom.

Make your classrooms smarter and more adaptable; talk iPads with the friendly team at Utility Rentals.