Dell recently rolled out a 5-step blueprint geared towards a personalized learning experience in the classroom, and it seems that the marketing and development team for that project has hit a home run. Several schools across the country have recently signed contracts with Dell to integrate tablet learning into their classrooms with Dell’s Latitude 10. Many of these schools went as far as to test various tablets with their ideal demographic – the students who would actually be using the device (what a novel idea!). None of the testers were briefed on the functionality of the tablets beforehand so that an accurate assessment could be made of the learning curve associated with each model. Across the board, testers chose the Latitude for its general ease of accessibility, and stated specifically that they felt the Latitude would better prepare them for college and later, for joining the work force.

Here in Texas, Duncanville ISD recently chose the Latitude 10 for its own digital learning initiative. With the Microsoft Office Suite already in place, Dell’s tablet will allow for the continued utilization of Windows productivity software already in place in their classrooms. In addition to the ease of integration the Latitude provides for school systems as a whole, the benefits it will afford its users are tenfold. The Windows 8 Snap feature, for example, gives students the ability to take notes while running video or eBook applications. At face value this may seem like a simple concept, but take a moment and consider the increasing focus in the workplace to multi-task, cross-train, do more with less and to do it all on a digital plane. The development of skills that encourage students to create while simultaneously absorbing knowledge and information is an invaluable benefit to the tablet’s introduction. But the introduction of this digital learning initiative does more than simply help students build digital literacy; it is helping them develop valuable next-generation skills like video production, online marketing, digital communication and social media. While some of these benefits may be offered in other tablet options, Dell’s Latitude 10 tested better overall than its competitors for the personalized learning experience it provided to students.

Dell’s director of Worldwide Education Jon Phillips stated in June that the first step in their blueprint to introduce a personalized learning experience in the classroom was to “establish a vision for learning”. It appears this focus is going to pay off for them, as several more school districts are set to review tablets over the summer in order to have contracts in place for the Fall semester to integrate tablets into their own districts. Given the added bonus of Dell’s software compatibility with existing IT infrastructures, the Latitude should keep Dell as a forerunner in classrooms for some time to come.

 

Sources: Forbes.com, Businesswire.com, TheJournal.com