A renowned Anglican girls' school in Toowoomba has formed a strategic partnership with a technology leader to transform its campus and provide students with cutting-edge digital tools to improve learning outcomes in the classroom.
The Glennie School’s collaboration with ASUS has helped it gain a unique advantage by fulfilling its IT management requirements and boosting IT operations campus-wide.
Leading the charge is Matthew Russell, the school’s Information Technology Manager, and his dedicated team who are responsible for supporting the school's strategic direction, maintaining network and systems, and addressing daily helpdesk requests from staff, students, and parents.
After conducting a rigorous evaluation process and considering key usage criteria across all user groups, Russell confidently determined that ASUS devices offer the ideal combination of features that students are seeking.
“We made a transition to a browser-based environment, and for our students in Years 5 to 9, we selected Chromebooks as the primary devices,” he said.
“In Years 5 and 6, we opted for the 11-inch Chromebook CR1100 2-in-1, taking into account factors like size, weight, and cost. For Years 7 to 9, we applied similar criteria but found that students needed a 13-inch or 14-inch screen.”
That's where the Chromebook CX3400 from ASUS won the school over, says Russell.
“ASUS offers several devices that perfectly match the needs of students across these year levels.”
Although The Glennie School offers students in Years 10 to 12 the flexibility of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), it highly recommends the ASUS ExpertBook B5 Flip series for these students.
“We recognized that our students desired a 14-inch device, and the ASUS ExpertBook B5 Flip stood out prominently with its robust build, excellent performance, extended battery life, and versatile 360-degree flip touch display,” Russell said.
“It was reassuring to find that ASUS could provide such value in a device that encompasses all the features we required, setting it apart from offerings from other brands.”
Creating a seamless educational experience
Leon Brumen, Head of Commercial - SYS BG, ASUS Australia, said that as the landscape of educational technology continues to evolve, ASUS is a frontrunner in providing devices that cater specifically to the needs of K-12 education.
“The key features embedded in ASUS devices contribute to a seamless educational experience, combining quality, durability, and innovation,” Brumen told The Educator.
“We place a strong emphasis on quality, reliability, and modular design when developing devices for K-12 education, going the extra mile by incorporating a ruggedised design that can take on the challenge of the K-12 school environment.”
An example of this, says Brumen, includes the drop-resistant chassis and spill-proof keyboard protect against common accidents in classrooms.
“This commitment ensures that students and educators have access to devices that not only perform optimally but also withstand the rigours of daily educational activities,” he said.
“Recognising the importance of eye health in young learners, we are integrating a low blue light display in the devices.”
Brumen said this feature helps protect students' eyes from potential damage caused by prolonged screen exposure.
“By prioritising the well-being of young users, ASUS ensures that educational technology is not only a tool for learning but also a tool for fostering a healthy learning environment.”
Meeting the dynamic demands of Australian education
In an era where hygiene is paramount, ASUS has also introduced the ‘Asus Antimicrobial Guard’, which inhibits the growth of bacteria on device surfaces.
“This proactive measure enhances the cleanliness of shared devices in educational settings, reducing the risk of germ transmission among students and educators,” he said.
“This feature aligns with current health and safety concerns, making ASUS devices a responsible choice for schools.”
Brumen said the integration of stylus technology in ASUS devices plays a pivotal role in enhancing the overall learning experience and fostering improved educational outcomes for students.
“This feature is not just an accessory but a catalyst for creativity, engagement, and personalized learning. It provides interactive learning, personalise the learning experience and enables real-time feedback between teachers and student,” he said.
“As we look ahead, these features are expected to evolve to meet the dynamic demands of future educational environments.”
‘Days of students sitting in a classroom are over’
Brumen said “learning from everywhere, anywhere and from anyone” is something that ASUS envisages for the education system in the years to come.
“Days of students sitting in a classroom are over and as a device manufacturer, we drive the innovation to enable seamless transitions of students across any imaginable scenarios,” he said.
“Key pillars of this vision include the development of lighter devices, extended battery life, and a focus on improving environmental footprints.”
In the year ahead, ASUS is planning to incorporate personal development solutions for Teachers and students to help them navigate the usage of new technologies for better learning outcomes.
In the meantime, the team at The Glennie School say the integration of the ASUS Chromebooks has given students the tools to succeed, with the reliability to enrich learning and the versatility to deliver the curriculum for educators.
“The rugged military-grade spec, lightweight machines and long-lasting batteries ensure no student is held back by their technology in the classroom.”