Popularity of Windows
Ever since its inception in 1985, Windows computers have knocked on the doors of organizations, schools, and homes and have been dearly loved. Before the mobile phone took over our lives, a Windows computer was the only digital technology that was widely used across industries, age groups, and use cases. The popularity of Windows computers is undebated. Windows has a global market share of more than 87.56% for browsing, according to a survey by Net MarketShare. For gaming and developers, the market share is around 95% and 45%, respectively².
The numbers alone speak of the recognition of Windows devices among users. What makes Windows computers so acclaimed across the world is their familiarity, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, thanks to a variety of freely available Windows app development platforms, the market is filled with Windows software that is extremely cheap or free of cost. Windows PCs are widely used across the world in the education sector because Windows 10 for education happens to be the easiest, most accessible, and most reasonable personal computer available in the market. So much so that a computer in most parts of the world is synonymous with Windows.
What is Windows 10 for Education?
Windows 10, the latest series of personal computing operating systems by Microsoft, was launched in 2015. Enriched with universal apps and an improved interface, Windows 10 has been receiving positive reviews since its launch. Bundled with Windows educational software and designed to keep desktop users in mind, Windows 10 has been extensively used in education for personalized learning facilitated by education-centric applications, all at affordable rates.
Windows 10 focuses on delivering education straight to the student, alleviating the workload of educators. Teachers and educators can make use of Windows 10 devices as a replacement for traditional blackboards, paving the way for interactive learning and improved engagement.
Windows 10 for students has special provisioning for computers and laptops deployed for educational institutes and there are several applications exclusively designed for education- ranging from apps for learning to online tests, making it an immersive end-to-end learning & teaching experience. Coupled with contemporary hardware, the easy-to-manage Windows 10 is revolutionizing the educational industry and it’s time institutes start exploring how to manage them with a powerful MDM.
Also Read: Lock Chrome Browser for Online Exams on Windows 10 Devices
Benefits of Windows 10 to Drive an Engaging Educational Experience
The education industry is embracing several technological advancements but the role and importance of Windows 10 are nowhere to go away. Check out these top 6 benefits that schools and colleges leverage using Windows 10.
1. Improved reading & writing
Microsoft learning tools help in improving comprehension, speed of reading, and writing with visually enhanced displays. Further, these tools help with highlighted texts, by reading aloud content and by breaking down words syllable-by-syllable.
2. Improved storytelling
With the Microsoft Photos app, storytelling in classrooms is dynamically improved with video and graphics, also making a way for engagement and creative communication.
3. Creativity unleashed
With Paint 3D, students can channel their inner creator and furbish excellent & challenging concepts into models based on their thought processes.
4. Better controls
Onscreen Eye controls enable students, especially the ones with special needs or disabilities, to control the on-screen mouse and keyboard and enable text-to-speech recognition.
5. Productivity tools
Students and educators can make use of Whiteboards, a digital board for improved collaboration. Nearby sharing enables students to exchange notes and information over the air. Focus assistance can help to eliminate distractions during work hours, and taking a test can help teachers in conducting digital assignments.
6. Collection of educational apps
Microsoft has a huge set of apps ranging from early learning, study guides, reference books, language, and instructional guides specifically designed for education. By making use of these educational apps, schools can implement new ways of learning through interactive puzzles, digital flashcards & even games.
Challenges in Using Windows 10 Devices for Education
While using Windows 10 drives great benefits for educators and students, the use of digital devices in classrooms can also bring in a few challenges, such as:
- Use of entertainment apps causing distractions
- Accessing non-educational, inappropriate websites and content
- Risk of misusing the computer for non-educational purposes
- Breach of student’s personal developmental data
- Unauthorized access to the computer after school hours
- Inability to privately distribute mission-specific apps
- Manually monitoring the performance of the devices, updating systems whenever needed
- Manually troubleshooting errors on the computer
- Controlling the device operations centrally without impacting user experience
To mitigate these challenges, it is important to apply school-level usage policies on the Windows 10 laptops and desktops used in education. Effective management of large device inventories creates a subsequent load on the school’s IT team and hence, an MDM solution for education plays well to mitigate these challenges while leveraging the true capabilities of Windows 10 devices.
Scalefusion Windows 10 Management for Education
Scalefusion Windows 10 device management helps schools and educational organizations to effectively eliminate the challenges brought in while using Windows 10 computers for education. With Scalefusion support for Windows 10 devices (for both company-owned and student-owned), educators and students can make use of educational capabilities and features extended by Windows 10 devices without hampering productivity and security.
Key Advantages of using Scalefusion to manage Windows 10 devices in education:
- Allow or block applications
- Allow or block access to websites
- Configure Chrome browser settings to avoid distractions by blocking pop-ups, javascript and setting YouTube filters
- Ensure device and data security by enforcing passcodes, Incognito mode and disabling password and form autofill
- Configure the device to run only a selected single, pre-installed/ Enterprise/ Win32 application
- Control default search engine and search suggestions
- Enforce geolocation on a Chrome browser for IP-based location tracking
The use of Windows 10 for education can be immensely beneficial for augmenting the learning experience for kids. By establishing appropriate policy applications & controls, the experience of using Windows 10 for education can be elevated.
Secure, control & monitor Windows 10 devices used for your students and kids with Scalefusion! We also offer discounted rates for schools and NGOs.
