4 Tips for Making Smart Technology Investments with Education Funding
Most schools and school divisions face tough decisions when it comes to budgeting. Inflation, enrollment changes, and provincial funding all contribute to the complexity. Schools want to make smart decisions about their technology so they can make the best use of their available funds.
Here are the areas school divisions and principals should look to when prioritizing their funding along with some tips from the Forrester Consulting: The Total Economic Impact of Apple Devices for K-12 Education.
1. Purchase technology that’s built to last
- Devices with durable construction and high-quality materials to withstand the rigors of the classroom
- Energy efficient, long battery life, and regular updates help extend usefulness
18.5 Months
Moving to Apple products allowed school districts to extend their device lifecycle by 18.5 months on average.
(Forrester Consulting TEI)
2. Consider residual value
- Durable devices that have reliable software and operating systems better retain their value
- Trade in programs allow you to recoup costs you can reinvest
20-25%
retained value
After 4 years, iPad retains 20% of it’s value and MacBook Air retains 25%.
(Forrester Consulting TEI)
3. Look for operational efficiency
- Durable devices with reliable apps and operating systems require fewer IT helpdesk requests or security concerns
35%
Divisions saw a 35% increase in their efficiency with Apple products. Based on 3FTE average.
(Forrester Consulting TEI)
4. Choose based on productivity
- Choose devices and apps that are easy to use and intuitive for both teachers and students
+30%
With a change to Apple devices, division recaptured over 30% more academic time.
(Forrester Consulting TEI)
+1.5 hours
Apple devices saw an average of 1.5 hours per week saved by teachers.
(Forrester Consulting TEI)
The Horizon Education team can help you make the most out of your IT budget. Get in touch to start a conversation.