10 Reasons Why Schools Need Strong MDM for Education

Last Updated on April 28, 2023

The use of mobile devices at school has become a hotly debated topic in many countries. While some educators want to ban devices to limit distractions, the vast majority of schools opt for using technology as a teaching tool. 

That raises new challenges for IT leaders who work in the field of education – now they need to find solutions for managing smartphones, laptops, and other connected devices at schools. They need to choose reliable mobile device management (MDM) services to ensure the devices will be used for good and will not become distractions for students.

In this article, we will explain how MDM for education works and answer the question of why schools need such a solution.

What is MDM, and how it works?

Mobile Device Management (MDM) is the process of enhancing the organization’s data security by completing various actions like monitoring, tracking, managing, and securing mobile devices such as laptops, phones, and tablets that are connected to one extensive network. 

IT admins leverage mobile device management solutions to control and distribute security policies to the mobile devices that belong to one network (e.g.,  school’s network).

MDM solutions use client-server architecture. It means that devices act as clients while the MDM server remotely pushes configurations, apps, and policies managing the devices using the over-the-air (OTA) programming and updates. 

Here are 10 reasons why schools need MDM solutions more than ever.

#1 Create immersive learning experiences 

Modern school children are digital natives. They had started using mobile apps and online tools before they went to school. They get used to being surrounded by technologies. Naturally, they have positive attitudes toward digitized education, and they want to use mobile devices and apps at schools. 

So it will be wise for educators to leverage new technologies to create an immersive learning experience without worrying about security. 

With MDM solutions for schools, teachers can transform conventional teaching into a more cognitive, fun, and visually engaging experience that perfectly appeals to modern students. Teachers can provide learners with opportunities to respond instantaneously to online polls, collaborate in real-time on team projects, and engage with a range of media more flexibly than ever before. 

#2 Ensure a distraction-free learning  

One of the biggest concerns of educators is that mobile devices cause distractions to students. These concerns are supported by facts and are not just allegations.

One survey shows that students use their phones an average of 11 times per day in class. Another study reveals that 92% of students use their phones to send text messages while in school.

Naturally, when students focus more attention on their phones rather than on what the teacher explains, the effectiveness of the learning process decreases. Students acquire less information, and that affects their academic performance. 

MDM for schools is designed to solve this problem. Using innovative MDM solutions, IT admins can restrict access to entertainment apps, gaming websites, social media platforms, and messengers. That is a great way to ensure that mobile devices do not distract students and are used for educational purposes only. 

#3 Block access to inappropriate online content

We know there are tons of inappropriate content out there. Many websites promote gaming, gambling, pornography, and violence. Today more than ever, children and youth are at risk for unwanted exposure to violent, gender-stereotyped, and sexually explicit content. Psychologists warn that such materials skew children’s worldview, increases high-risk behaviors, and alters their capacity for successful and sustained human relationships.

The task of adults is to minimize that unwanted exposure. While parents protect their kids at home, educators are responsible for protecting their students in school. IT admins need to use MDM service to block access to inappropriate websites and stop the students from consuming harmful web content.

#4 Minimize the number of potential network vulnerabilities

School networks are less protected than networks of other organizations. Why? Firstly, the number of users and devices in the network is huge. Secondly, users (children) do not have a clear idea of how they should behave online. They know little or nothing about cybersecurity and are not familiar with terms such as “malware” and “phishing emails”.

Experts say that cyberattacks are one of the biggest threats that modern schools face. A Schools Week investigation revealed that the UK-based Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) received 177 reports of data breaches and cyberattacks across 135 academy trusts in 2018-19.

In 2020, Baltimore County’s school system collapsed due to a ransomware attack that hit all its network systems and closed the school for 115,000 students. In March 2021, cybercriminals attacked schools in Haverhill, Massachusetts – the entire system was affected, and classes were canceled. 

Cybersecurity is thus another strong reason why schools need MDM. MDM solutions allow students and teachers to use their own devices without putting the school network at risk. Mobility management services like AirDroid Business protect mobile devices used in schools against malware, phishing, malicious links, and intellectual property theft (e.g., theft of research papers, essays, learning materials).

#5 Ensure seamless distance learning

Another benefit of using MDM for schools is that it helps to protect students from “Zoombombings” or “Zoom raids”. This is a kind of cyberattack that takes place on video conferencing platforms like Zoom.

Here are some brief information about recent incidents:

• In Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, a hacker interrupted kindergarten orientation, yelled racial slurs, cursed, and threatened children.

• In Columbus, Georgia, Zoom bombers used porn to disrupt the online classes of middle schoolers.

• In San Antonio, geometry class was interrupted by someone who hacked the student’s account and used an image of two Ku Klux Klansmen as a photo of the student. 

MDM services allow educators to secure the system even when the school works in remote mode. By implementing MDM solutions, educational institutions ensure the stability of the system and significantly improve the quality of distance learning.

#6 Improve and secure classroom communication

MDM services allow teachers to publish documents on students’ mobile devices via remote file transfer. Students do not need to put effort into finding the right document to download – they get all necessary learning materials delivered directly to their tablets or phones. 

MDM platforms also allow school children to collaborate. Students can share text files, images, presentations, and other documents safely. There is no risk that some students will accidentally share a malicious file with the group.

As stated in a research by Authority.org, teachers can provide students with secure access to trustworthy educational websites and essay databases. They can invite students to safely download essay templates and flashcards. In such a way, they will prevent the risk that some of the students will visit a scam website and accidentally click a malicious link.

#7 Restrict mobile Wi-Fi hotspots via Android phones

Distance learning has become a new normal. However, some students who live in rural areas still experience challenges with attending online classes because of poor internet connection.

Many households do not have access to high-speed internet, and the situation will unlikely change in the coming year. One of the possible solutions to the problem is to use Android phones as mobile hotspot devices to enable connection to laptops and tablets for distance learning.

How can MDM for schools help here? With MDM services, IT admins can adjust the settings of Android phones. They can ensure that students use phones as hotspots, not as devices for entertainment during online classes.

#8 Remotely Troubleshoot device errors faster 

Tech glitches and system failures are inevitable. Yet, they negatively affect distance learning. When a student’s laptop runs into a problem, a student misses a learning opportunity – the child cannot participate in class discussion, cannot complete assignments, and cannot earn points.  

Naturally, little learners and their parents do not have the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and fix the problem on their own. What should schools do to help students fix technical issues and enhance the distance learning experience? Schools should leverage MDM solutions to be able to provide remote assistance. 

Some MDM services offer a remote cast for mobile devices where screens of the students can be mirrored remotely on the computers of IT specialists. By getting better insights into the problem, IT specialists can find a fast and effective solution and prevent disruption in online learning.

#9 Enable device sharing

Not all schools and not all families have enough mobile devices to supply all students. For this reason, it is important to create a system in which two or more learners can safely use one device. 

Some MDM services come with a profile switch feature. It allows each student to use unique log-in information to access apps, learning materials, discussion boards, and assignments. Thanks to MDM, all personal data is securely stored regardless of whether the device is used by two, three, four, or more students.

#10 Optimize lesson time

Teachers at school can remotely push applications to Android devices before a class starts to maximize students’ learning time. During classroom sessions, lockdown device for particular apps or website access can also keep students engaged. You can also save your school IT manager a great load of time by preventing device malfunction from happening too frequently and affecting students’ classroom experience.

Key characteristics of a strong MDM service for schools

We have already defined MDM meaning and importance. Now let’s talk about how schools can choose a perfect MDM solution for their needs. Here is a list of things educators need to consider to make the right choice.

‣ Compatibility with current school applications

Modern schools operate on different educational platforms and use multiple apps to connect with students. It is important to find an MDM solution that is compatible with the software that the school is currently using. 

‣ Effective user and device grouping

Students, teachers, and other stakeholders enter the system to perform different tasks and retrieve different types of data.  IT leaders need to choose an MDM solution that allows structuring various segments of the school population to optimize network usage.

‣ Customization options

IT leaders need to choose MDM services that provide flexibility to create various management policies. IT admins need to be able to control device settings and system settings to safeguard the actual device configuration and ensure information protection.

‣ Scalability 

The number of devices in the school’s network is constantly increasing. For instance, if the network currently connects 100 devices, you can expect that the number of devices will increase to 200 devices next year. It is necessary to choose a scalable MDM solution that will work effectively for the growing network. 

‣ Price

Not all mobile device management services are equally priced. IT leaders need to compare pricing, read reviews, and choose the best service that the school can afford. 

‣ Availability of geolocation services

MDM solutions can secure children and their devices not only online but also offline. If school- or student-owned devices go missing, IT admins will be able to use geolocation service to define the current location of the device.

‣ VPN features

By choosing an MDM solution that enables VPN, schools can add an extra layer of security and reduce the risk of accidental data disclosure. 

‣ User-friendliness

Not every school employs IT pros. In some rural schools, the roles of IT admins are held by employees who do not hold an IT degree. For this reason, schools should opt for MDM services that are easy to use and easy to access.

In today’s digitally-driven world, the importance of MDM for schools is hard to overestimate. Effective MDM solutions help to secure the network, limit distractions in the classroom, and improve in-class and distance learning. Also, they allow educators to enhance communication and collaboration in the group that positively influence student’s satisfaction levels.

Current trends for digital transformation in education make it clear that MDM solutions are becoming vital for schools of any level. Are you looking for the most reliable solution for your educational institution? Request a 14-day free trial of AirDroid Business to explore the full range of capabilities and boost the effectiveness of your school’s system.

Author’s Bio: Marques is a successful and experienced writer and editor at Subjecto, who had been creating online content on various topics for years. His carefully acquired notions and unmatched creativity allow him to write engaging educational content that readers of any age and occupancy can enjoy. Marques is focused on guiding his readers through perilous seas of online knowledge, figuring ways to properly deliver relevant information