Back to School! How to Use Student & Staff Personas to Build Your K12 Device Strategy

By James Andrews UDT Director LCM Strategic Development 

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, K12 education underwent a seismic shift, transitioning to 1:1 computing to accommodate remote learning. This rapid change saw elementary schools’ 1:1 device availability soar from 42% pre-pandemic to 84% by 2021, middle schools from 65% to 90%, and high schools from 66% to 90%. As we approach another school year, districts face the challenge of refreshing their device strategies—this time without ESSER funding. 

The initial rush for devices during the pandemic led to a one-size-fits-all approach, which (despite what one might expect) rarely simplifies device management—and truth be told that was one lesson many schools learned the hard way. Luckily, four years later as many pandemic devices age out, districts now have a golden opportunity to make strategic adjustments to their 1:1 device management structure. The key to success lies in understanding the unique needs of different student and staff personas and aligning device choices with these requirements. 

Choosing the Right Devices for Your School District 

Incorporating a holistic approach to K12 device strategy post-pandemic involves recognizing the evolving educational landscape. Hybrid learning models are becoming a mainstay, necessitating devices that cater to both in-class and remote learning environments. This dual functionality requires robust, versatile devices capable of handling diverse software and applications.  

Additionally, the environmental impact of device production and disposal is an increasing concern. Sustainable practices in device procurement and lifecycle management can contribute to a district’s social responsibility goals. By considering these broader implications, districts can craft a device strategy that is future-proof, environmentally responsible, and tailored to the multifaceted needs of their students and staff. 

While all the above may factor into these decisions, the core of this debate often boils down to the operating system (OS) that best suits the district’s needs, with the top contenders being Google Chrome OS, Microsoft Windows, and Apple iOS/MacOS. Each factor has its own pros and cons that will need to be researched and considered:   

• Cost – While you do not necessarily want cheap laptops that will soon need replacing, you don’t want to break the bank by buying devices that are beyond your budget. 

• Security – Whatever devices you choose need to have the right configurations for both privacy and data security. 

• Scalability & Management – You’ll want devices in inventory that can be managed and expanded as needed from year-to-year or semester-to-semester. 

• Features – This is a broad category that includes all peripherals needed by the users of your devices.   

The above—no matter what way you slice it—will be impacted in some way by the unique student and staff groups you are catering your device selection to. This is where personas can prove helpful. 

Matching Devices to K12 Personas 

If you’re a K12 leader, you know better than anyone that student user needs change as an individual transitions through their educational journey, from elementary school to middle school and high school. With that transition comes additional unique requirements for the staff supporting learning and operations for a district. Here are some examples of what that might look like in action when applied to device selection: 

• Controlling the Chaos for Elementary Students 

• Durability – Devices that are robust, able to withstand drops, spills, and general chaos. 

• Simplicity – User-friendly interfaces that are intuitive for young learners. 

• Educational Apps – Educational technology preloaded with software that’s age-appropriate, engaging, and conducive to learning. 

• Helping Middle School Students Adjust to Change 

• Functionality – Devices that support diverse learning activities, from research to multimedia projects. 

• Portability – Lightweight and compact devices for easy transitions between classes when it’s time to be mobile. 

• Battery Life – A battery that lasts the entire school day, avoiding disruptions in the learning experience. 

• Preparing High School Students for Success 

• Performance – Devices that can handle complex applications, whether it’s research, coding, or multimedia assignments. 

• Flexibility – Devices that are adaptable to a mix of in-class and remote learning scenarios. 

• Creativity – Tools that support and encourage collaboration, creativity, and communication in student learning. 

• Empowering Teachers for Digital Learning 

• Productivity – Devices that streamline teaching and administrative tasks while enhancing day-to-day productivity. 

• Connectivity – Reliable and secure connectivity for consistent access to school networks, educational resources, and communication platforms. 

• Security – Enhanced security features that safeguard both student and educational data while protecting against threats such as ransomware. 

• Supporting Administrators by Streamlining Operations 

• Mobility – Mobility may be necessary if their role requires them to move around campus/district daily. 

• Security – Must have security controls to protect organizational data and fortify against vulnerabilities. 

• Power – Greater processing power and compatibility with specialized admin tools/platforms. 

Additional Considerations 

Just as not all students have the same needs, not all educators and administrators are the same; therefore, selecting devices for faculty is not a one-size-fits-all situation. When selecting devices for teachers, for example, it is important to account for contexts where they may require more from their devices (or different technology tools altogether) to create a learning experience that facilitates student engagement. Consider the different potential device needs between subjects, grade levels, or specialized instruction (design, STEM, special education programming, etc.) 

Another thing to consider is artificial intelligence (AI). This new technology is quickly becoming a critical tool in our day-to-day lives, and it is also having a big impact on education; however, this technology is not exactly considered a “school supply” just yet. 

Your Guide to a Successful K12 Device Strategy 

Overall, a successful device strategy involves collaboration with stakeholders—both within your schools and in the communities that support them. It’s crucial to align the refresh strategy with multiple sources of input to ensure financial sustainability and that all requirements are being fulfilled effectively to achieve the best possible outcomes. 

To craft a sustainable and consistent device strategy, keep a few key elements in mind. Remember to focus on device utilization and device assignment strategies, as this will help create a strategy that minimizes breakage rates, lost/stolen devices, and beyond-economical repair devices. Instill device governance and accountability to ensure your strategy has optimal device uptime and financial solvency. Lastly, document everything so that all device stakeholders are aware of the reasons (based on the pros and cons) that your strategy was formed as it was and ensure everyone is on the same page.  And if you are feeling overwhelmed or unsure at any point—work with a partner! 

My team has developed a comprehensive guide to building your K12 device refresh strategy and choosing the right device for every learner. Get your free copy, then feel free to reach out to learn more about how to optimize operations, device lifecycle management, and data security for your school district. Visit udtonline.com.