Die wichtigsten Erkenntnisse
- Devices are no longer a classroom luxury—they’re a learning essential.
- Smart management turns digital potential into real-world impact.
- Future-ready students need future-ready infrastructure.
In the UK, computers started appearing in schools in the 1980s, but it wasn’t until the 2000s that devices like laptops became common in classrooms. By 2000, there were over 850,000 computers in UK schools, and nearly a third were laptops. Internet access and interactive whiteboards quickly followed, creating a digital foundation for learning.
Today, most secondary students in the UK have access to a laptop or tablet, whether through 1:1 programmes (one device per student) or BYOD initiatives (bring your own device). These rollouts have transformed classrooms, shifting digital access from the exception to the expectation.
Future Careers Demand Digital Fluency
As automation, coding, and AI reshape the workplace, IT literacy is no longer optional. A UK government report estimates that 10–30% of jobs are automatable in the near future, while many others will require advanced digital skills.
Students who learn on devices at school are better prepared to adapt to these demands. Surveys show that coding is now viewed as important as learning a foreign language, with 60% of UK students citing career prospects as their reason for learning to code. Building confidence with technology in education directly supports employability beyond the classroom.
Proof in Practice: Better Outcomes with Devices
Research consistently shows that 1:1 and BYOD device programmes improve both engagement and academic results.
A meta-analysis of ten studies found overall positive effect sizes for student achievement in 1:1 laptop environments.
Across Europe, an evaluation of 31 large-scale 1:1 learning programmes in 19 countries reported that device rollouts underpin pedagogical innovation and strengthen the link between classroom and home learning.
Closer to home, the UK’s Technology in Schools Survey 2022–23 found that teachers rated 89% of laptops and 85% of tablets as fit for purpose, with IT leaders putting laptops at 95% fitness—clear evidence that devices are enabling more effective teaching and learning.
When devices are accessible, reliable, and fully embedded in teaching practice, schools see not only higher engagement but also measurable improvements in pupil outcomes.
How to Get the Most from School Devices
Datenschutz
GDPR isn’t just a tick-box exercise—it’s the safety net that keeps schools and trusts on firm ground. The UK’s Data Protection Act 2018 mirrors EU GDPR standards, and breaches can lead to fines as steep as £17.5 million oder 4 percent of global turnover—whichever is higher.
Appointing a Data Protection Officer (DPO) is now standard practice. This role acts as the guardian of pupil data, guiding policy updates and carrying out Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) to ensure every app and process respects privacy.
A culture of responsible data handling—where staff are trained regularly on transparency, access requests, and data minimisation—not only prevents breaches but also builds trust with parents and carers. That trust matters as much as any technical safeguard.
Data Monitoring
Too often, schools only realise a learning app has stopped working when lessons grind to a halt. Without proper oversight, these issues can easily go unnoticed. That’s why visibility across devices and apps is essential. High-level dashboards that highlight dips in usage, connectivity problems, or dormant licences allow IT teams to act before teaching and learning are disrupted.
At a time when budgets are under pressure, schools also need to know that every licence and subscription is delivering value. Careful monitoring helps ensure resources aren’t wasted on tools that aren’t being used—or worse, on tools that fail at the crucial moment.
Management
Imagine 500 devices across 10 classrooms in a single academy, or several thousand spread across a multi-academy trust. Without central management, keeping them updated, secure, and fit for purpose quickly becomes unmanageable.
Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems give IT teams the control they need: remote setup, mass deployment of apps, consistent policy enforcement, and the ability to lock down or wipe devices if required. With MDM, schools can roll out devices more quickly—some report rollouts being up to 60 percent faster—reduce support demands, and maintain focus on learning.
Without this kind of control, devices can drift into “Wild West” mode—unauthorised apps, unsecure browsing, nervous teachers, and frustrated pupils. With MDM, digital learning stays safe, efficient, and scalable.
Bringing it Together
Privacy ensures schools remain compliant and trusted. Data monitoring keeps technology effective and budgets protected. And strong management turns device chaos into a controlled, scalable system that supports learning across classrooms and trusts alike.
How Lightspeed’s Solutions Can Help
Lightspeed offers three solutions that support schools in maximising their device investments:
- Lightspeed-Einblick – Ensures GDPR compliance, enhances transparency, and provides oversight on how apps and data are being used across schools.
- Lightspeed MDM – Simplifies mass deployment and management of devices, apps, and policies at every organisational level.
- Lichtgeschwindigkeitssignal – Delivers real-time analytics on device and app health, so IT teams can resolve issues before they impact learning.
Together, these tools empower schools to safeguard privacy, manage devices at scale, and ensure every investment in technology supports student success.
If you’d like to book a demo or call with our team to learn more about how Lightspeed can help support your school, please contact us Hier.
