Implementing 1:1 Programs: How to Successfully Manage Devices, Gain Insight into Investments

BCUSD is able to track all 3,000 of the Macbook Airs it deployed to its students by using the Destiny Resource Manager to check the history of when the device was assigned to a student, as well as whether or not the device was used previously by another user. Furthermore, the Destiny Resource Manager has an auto trail, which means if a tablet record is deleted, an additional transaction is created that logs the occurrence of the deletion. Having the ability to check the history of devices can help to prevent theft and keep students accountable for returning laptops.

While tracking assets can help save schools money by locating missing devices, schools looking to implement a 1:1 program also need a management plan that will provide them with insight as to how to use their investment to truly enhance students’ learning experiences.

“The objective is to have the right resources in the right hands at the right time so every student has exactly what they need for the class they are signed up for,” says Bruce Hamilton, program director of Follett School Solutions. “That’s the more important thing because they can’t succeed in getting a better learning experience if they don’t have the right resources at their disposal, and that’s always a challenge.”

“The objective is to have the right resources in the right hands at the right time. That’s the more important thing because [students] can’t succeed in getting a better learning experience if they don’t have the right resources at their disposal.”—Bruce Hamilton, program director of Follett School Solutions

The Destiny Resource Manager has helped BCUSD efficiently use its digital assets by providing teachers and staff insight as to the adequate resources students will need for each of their courses, preparing them for a better learning experience.

Furthermore, the Destiny Resource Manager can track physical and digital items, as well as services, giving BCUSD a broad view of their investments. The system can also allocate assets such as e-textbooks by class schedules, simplifying the distribution process.

While technology such as Follett’s Destiny Resource Manager can greatly contribute to the success of 1:1 programs, having the right people and systems in place to implement that technology is perhaps the most important aspect of a successful 1:1 program.