How to Manage Student Mobile Devices in the Classroom

The lessons we learn during our formative years have a lasting impact, shaping not only our own lives but also those of future generations. Education today looks vastly different from the methods employed a decade or two ago. The integration of mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, into classrooms has revolutionized the student learning experience, giving rise to the term Edtech, which has become increasingly common.

But while these devices revolutionize education, there’s one facet that has multiple personality disorder—the Internet. The internet holds oceans of information up for grabs to improve learning curves. Yet, it can be a nefarious space that can damage the youth—psychologically and emotionally. And pupils in educational institutes can’t decide or choose between the bright and dark.

Teachers and educational IT admins are tired of playing “device police” in classrooms, constantly battling distractions and managing student devices. It’s time to bring in the reinforcements—Mobile Device Management (MDM). 

With the power of MDM, you can regain control, enhance learning, and create a harmonious tech-infused environment in classrooms. Let’s learn more! 

Student Devices in the Classroom: A Digital Dilemma

We live in an age where smartphones, tablets, and laptops for classrooms are an integral part of students’ lives. While these devices offer tremendous educational potential, they also present challenges in classroom management. From distractions caused by social media to off-task browsing and unauthorized app downloads, keeping students focused and engaged can be daunting. Then there are greater menaces like hateful, violent, and adult content. 

So, should students be allowed to use mobile devices in classrooms? Yes, but there’s the need for a cool watchdog. 

Enter Mobile Device Management (MDM): The Classroom Warden

Mobile Device Management (MDM) is like the friendly but strict warden educational institutes have been craving! MDM solutions provide a centralized platform for managing and securing student devices, enabling educators to take control of the digital landscape in the classroom. With an MDM solution, IT admins of schools and colleges can enforce policies, monitor device activity, distribute and control apps and content, and ensure a safe and productive classroom learning environment.

How to Manage Student Mobile Devices in the Classroom with MDM

Here’re a few best practices for educational institutes when managing student mobile devices in classrooms.

1. Define Clear Usage Policies

Establishing clear device usage policies is the foundation of effective device management. Create a comprehensive policy that outlines the acceptable use of student devices, including guidelines for appropriate websites, apps, and content. Clearly communicate these policies to students and ensure they understand the expectations.

2. Enforce Device Restrictions and Filtering

MDM allows you to enforce device restrictions and web content filtering, ensuring that students can access only appropriate and educational content. Set restrictions to disable certain features or apps during class and restrict access to distracting websites or social media platforms. This way, you can keep students focused on the task at hand and create a distraction-free learning environment. Web content filtering is undoubtedly the best MDM feature to keep students from consuming harmful content. 

3. Monitor and Track Devices

MDM solutions provide real-time device tracking and monitoring capabilities, allowing you to monitor student activity. With MDM, you can view browsing history, track internet usage, and monitor app installations. This helps identify potential distractions or misuse of devices, enabling timely intervention and corrective action.

4. Manage and Distribute Apps

One of the significant advantages of MDM software is the ability to manage and distribute apps to student devices seamlessly. With MDM, you can centrally manage app installations, push updates, and ensure all students have the necessary educational apps and resources. This simplifies the app deployment process and saves valuable instructional time.

5. Distribute Content and Collaborate

MDM solutions facilitate content distribution and collaboration. You can distribute documents, worksheets, and assignments directly to student devices, eliminating the need for paper-based materials. Additionally, you can enable collaborative features like common folder access, allowing students to share and collaborate on projects in real time. This increases student engagement and enhances teamwork among students.

6. Manage Devices Remotely

In the digital age, managing devices remotely is a true game-changer. MDM solutions enable remote device management, allowing you to control and configure devices from anywhere. Whether it’s updating device settings, pushing out software updates, or troubleshooting technical issues, you can efficiently manage student mobile devices without leaving your desk.

Impact of MDM in the Classroom

Implementing MDM in the classroom has significant benefits that go beyond device management, adhering to Mobile Device Management Best Practices. Let’s explore the positive impact of MDM on teaching and learning:

1. Increased Focus and Productivity

With the help of an MDM solution, you can minimize distractions and keep students focused on their learning. Enforcing device restrictions and content filtering creates a safe, conducive environment for productivity. Classrooms with effective device management are bound to experience higher levels of student engagement and academic achievement.

2. Enhanced Classroom Management

MDM empowers educators with the tools to manage student devices effectively, enabling better classroom management. With the ability to monitor device activity and track internet usage, you can quickly identify and address any misuse or off-task behavior. This proactive approach to managing student devices helps maintain order and discipline in the classroom.

3. Personalized Learning Opportunities

MDM solutions open up possibilities for personalized learning experiences. You can tailor educational resources and apps to meet individual student needs by leveraging the app management and content distribution features. Whether providing additional support materials or assigning specific learning applications, MDM allows differentiated instruction, catering to each student’s unique learning styles and abilities. You can also use QR codes for education to provide quick access to tailored resources and easily password-protect them, ensuring that your materials remain secure.

4. Simplified Device Setup and Maintenance

Gone are the days of spending hours manually configuring and maintaining student devices. MDM streamlines the device setup process, making it quick and hassle-free. You can enroll devices, configure settings, and deploy necessary apps and content with a few clicks on the MDM dashboard. This saves IT admins’ time and reduces the administrative burden on educators.

Additionally, MDM simplifies device maintenance by providing remote management capabilities. You can remotely troubleshoot issues, apply updates, and ensure all devices are updated with the latest software and security patches. This results in smoother device performance and reduced technical disruptions during class time.

5. Improved Digital Citizenship and Online Safety

MDM plays a crucial role in promoting digital citizenship and ensuring online safety for students. You create a protected digital environment by implementing content filtering and enforcing device restrictions. MDM solutions also provide educational opportunities to teach students about responsible device usage, online etiquette, and internet safety. This equips students with essential skills to navigate the digital world responsibly, protecting themselves and their peers from potential online threats.

6. Data Security and Privacy

In an era where data security and privacy are paramount, MDM offers robust security measures to protect student information. MDM solutions ensure that sensitive data stored on student devices, such as login credentials or personal information, is encrypted and secure via passcode policies. This mitigates the risk of data breaches and safeguards student privacy.

Implementing MDM: Step-by-Step Guide

We’ve covered the innate benefits of an MDM solution in the classroom. Time for the next chapter to walk through the steps in implementing MDM effectively in classrooms:

Step 1: Assess Your Needs

Start by assessing your specific classroom and device management needs. Consider factors such as the number of devices, the operating systems they run on, and the desired features and functionalities. This evaluation will help you choose the right MDM solution that meets your requirements.

Step 2: Select an MDM Solution

Research and evaluate different MDM vendors available in the market. Look for features such as bulk device enrollment, OS support, device fragmentation, app management, content distribution, monitoring capabilities, and technical support. Consider factors like ease of use, scalability, and compatibility with your existing devices and infrastructure. Choose an MDM solution that fits right into your needs and budget.

Step 3: Establish Usage Policies

Develop clear and comprehensive device usage policies in collaboration with your school administration, IT department, and stakeholders. Outline guidelines for device use, acceptable content, and consequences for policy violations. Communicate these policies to students, parents, and staff, ensuring everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.

Step 4: Device Enrollment and Configuration

Once you zero in on the MDM vendor of your choice, IT teams can easily enroll student devices into the MDM solution. This process may involve installing an MDM agent or app on each device and configuring settings such as Wi-Fi access, security policies, and app restrictions. Many MDM solutions offer bulk enrollment options like Apple School Manager, simplifying the setup process for multiple devices.

Step 5: Define App and Content Management

Determine the educational apps and content you want to distribute to student devices. Use the MDM solution’s app management features to push apps directly to devices or provide access to an app store. Organize apps into appropriate categories for easy navigation and ensure students have access to the necessary resources for their learning.

Step 6: Monitor and Manage Devices

Regularly monitor device activity using MDM monitoring and tracking features. Keep an eye on internet usage, app installations, and device screens to identify any misuse or distractions. Use the insights gathered to address concerns promptly and provide feedback to students regarding their device usage habits.

Step 7: Provide Ongoing Professional Development

Offer training and professional development opportunities for teachers and staff to familiarize them with the MDM software. Educate them on best practices for maximizing the benefits of MDM and addressing any challenges that may arise. Ongoing support and training ensure effective implementation and utilization of the MDM solution.

Infographic Case Study: How Scalefusion Can Impact The Education Industry

Discover how Doctor’s Own Prep Academy (DOPA) leveraged Scalefusion’s MDM solutions to gain complete control over student tablets and secure digital learning resulting in improved 70% of students’ productivity. See the below Infographic.

Conclusion

Letting students acknowledge and access the best and bright side of the Internet will go a long way in shaping their future. It’s equally important to keep their sensitive minds away from the malicious side of the internet. An MDM solution can enhance the learning process and the overall educational experience through mobile devices in classrooms. It’s a much-needed tool to both protect students and bolster their productivity. 

Speak to our experts to explore all that Scalefusion MDM has to offer for classroom learning. Else, you can get going with a 14-day free trial.