Providers on common misconceptions about their charging and storage products

“What are some common misconceptions schools have when purchasing charging and storage platforms? How can K12 leaders plan to make the right purchase for their district?”

“I think many schools immediately think of cart-type solutions, which group a whole class set in one place and assume that a one-size-fits-all solution is all that is available to them. Instead, school leaders should consider more flexible options that fit into each unique classroom and school, and should look for solutions that are driven by a true understanding of teacher and classroom needs.”

—Kaylyn Belcourt-McCabe, President, Copernicus

“Districts might think they need to replace their current fleet of charging stations when moving to new devices, but with a universal charging solution, this may not be the case. Many carts or stations are adaptable as technology changes or is added.”

—James Symons, CEO, LocknCharge

LINK TO MAIN ARTICLE: Charging and storage platforms for K12 education

“The most common misconception is understanding the difference between UL-certified products and products that utilize UL-certified components. If your charging platform utilizes UL-certified components, that is great. However, it does not mean that those components are being utilized correctly together. It is important to ensure the whole product is certified and not just the individual components. Look for the UL certification seal on your products to ensure they are tested and certified to be safe.”

—Ben Jones, vice president of sales, Spectrum Industries

“Technology evolves quickly, so make sure storage solutions are versatile and evolve as your needs change. Ensure that shelves are device agnostic, and can serve mixed devices as well as still maintain security. Keep in mind that classrooms and technology evolve, and your device storage should continue to serve your needs for years to come. Choosing something with a platform design that is able to change in the future with a simple accessory can ensure your investment lasts well over your allotted budget cycle. In the future, use those funds for other needs or new technology instead of constantly replacing storage and charging solutions on a cycle.”

—Chrissy Allard, director of marketing, PowerGistics

“The misconception we most often come across is the idea that all carts or storage solutions are created equal, price being the biggest differentiator. The reality is that there are large differences in features and quality. What they often don’t think about is that these storage devices will likely be in their classroom for many years, so they need to make good choices. Charging and storage solutions continue to evolve and adapt to meet the ever-changing needs in today’s classroom. They will remain an important part of the digital classroom in the future. Educators should take the time to determine how these solutions will be used not just today, but in three and five years as student have access to more and different technology. And educators need to ensure they choose a solution that provides them the appropriate flexibility.”

—Glenn Collins, vice president business development, CDI

Steven Blackburn is associate editor.

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