The ubiquitous Chromebook faces a formidable new contender in education. Microsoft has announced a new cloud-first edition of Windows 11, designed specifically to run on low-cost devices for use in K-8. Windows 11 SE is an operating system that's intended to provide a distraction-free environment for students and simpler administration of devices for IT.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/17/21
The maker of learning management system Canvas, Instructure, has entered into a deal to acquire Kimono, which produces software for cloud-based data integration and interoperability.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/12/21
EducationSuperHighway is shifting its attention away from the needs of K-12 internet connectivity and to the unconnected American household. The nonprofit, which helped close down the "classroom connectivity gap," has a new mission: to make sure the 18.1 million households that can't afford to connect to broadband get it.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/04/21
Earlier this year, a school district in North Carolina refreshed its wireless network, to support devices with Wi-Fi 6 capacity — before they began appearing in classrooms. Burke County Public Schools distributed 1,500 new access points to its 27 schools, using equipment from Cambium Networks (previously Xirrus).
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 10/28/21
Traditional PCs are continuing to see growth worldwide despite bottlenecks in the supply chain. However, according to a new report from market research firm IDC, in the United States, traditional PCs saw their first quarterly decline since the beginning of the pandemic.
The Texas county that houses Houston will be rolling out a private LTE network using Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum. The major beneficiary for the initial phase will be families with students that lack high-speed internet access. The project is being funded with CARES Act money.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 10/14/21
Data security firm WatchGuard Technologies has launched four new mid-range models in its Firebox line of unified threat management appliances.
More bad news on the data security front. Ransomware and fileless malware are both seeing large surges this year.
Dedicated denial of service (DDoS) attacks were up by double digits in the first half of 2021. But somehow schools, colleges and universities, despite being favorite targets for ransomware and various other forms of malware, have been by and large overlooked — even as DDoS becomes a companion tool in ransomware incidents.
Student device monitoring disproportionately affects kids who cannot afford their own devices and, according to a new report, poses threats to student privacy (such as LGBTQI+ students who might be "outed") and creates a significant chilling effect on student expression.