Microsoft Windows 10 Upgrade Guide for Education
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Microsoft Windows 10 Upgrade Guide for Education A comprehensive guide for Educators, School Administrators and IT Professionals • The best Windows 10 devices and apps • Education licensing options • Deployment and migration tips WINTER 2015 Introduction Educators want to know: Is it time for Windows 10? Welcome to the newest edition of our Windows 10 migration guide, with special features and information tailored to teachers and IT professionals in Education. We decided to revisit this guide, which we first published in Fall 2015 to help schools work through the most complicated aspects of getting ready for Windows 10, including: • Why schools should upgrade to Windows 10 • The best hardware options to fit your budget • Features and apps teachers will love • The licensing options available for Education Read on to discover if Windows 10 is the right move for your school. Windows 10 Upgrade Guide for Education 2 Overview Section 1: Why Windows 10? ...............................................4 • 5 reasons to seriously consider Windows 10 • Additional features • Why Windows 10 rules the classroom • A world of apps Section 2: Powerful Hardware, Priced Right ....................................11 • Windows 10 devices, starting at just US$189 Section 3: Licensing Options and Upgrade Changes ..............................12 • Windows 10 Education edition • Windows-As-a-Service • Software update cycles • End of Service packs • How students can get Windows 10 for free Section 4: Deployment Services and Training Resources...........................16 • How to determine readiness • Deployment options • Training and resources for teachers www.softchoice.com/microsoft Windows 10 Upgrade Guide for Education 3 Why Windows 10? Should you upgrade to Windows 10? It’s a key question many school boards have been reviewing. To help you make an informed decision, let’s start with the top reasons why schools are upgrading to Windows 10. 5 Reasons To Seriously Consider Windows 10 1. One converged Windows platform behind it all Windows 10 provides students and teachers with a platform for collaborating, exploring, and getting things done. It enables engaging learning experiences to elevate student outcomes and transform education. This platform comes in a range of leading Windows devices, so schools can choose what best fits their budget. Management and deployment tasks have also been simplified to help lower costs and fit your school’s needs. 2. Better learning outcomes Windows 10 empowers teachers to create a dynamic learning environment that excites and inspires students to learn and grow. Windows 10 is friendly and familiar, and supports a wide range of learning peripherals and education apps, like Corinth Classroom and Kno Textbooks. Windows also provides several tools like Microsoft Class Dashboard and OneNote Class Notebook, which enable better collaboration and communication, and like Snap Assist and virtual desktops, to help teachers stay organized and get more done. With Continuum, Windows 10 education apps and content adapt to display seamlessly across a variety of devices, even as you transition from one to another. 3. Affordable devices and solutions This is a big one for our Education clients. The latest Windows devices on the market inspire 21st Century learning, but don’t force schools into a one-size fits-all device ecosystem. Windows 10 devices continue to provide more choices for all learning styles and price points; for example, touch-first devices that help young students learn how to write with on-screen inking. Windows is also committed to inspiring students with cutting-edge devices like Surface Hub and HoloLens. 4. Safety & Security The last few years have seen an unpredicted increase in the number and severity of enterprise security threats. Windows 10 goes beyond just building bigger walls and delivers entirely new ways to help protect your teachers’ and students’ identities, data and devices. Features like Microsoft Passport and Windows Hello make it easier than ever to deploy and use biometrics and multi-factor authentication to strengthen identities. Windows 10 also delivers new ways to help protect information from leaks or theft – critical in BYOD scenarios – and better ways to help protect devices from damaging malware and inappropriate apps. www.softchoice.com/microsoft Windows 10 Upgrade Guide for Education 4 Why Windows 10? 5. Simplified Deployment & Management Windows 10 helps schools reduce the cost and complexity historically associated with managing and deploying Windows devices. With Windows-as-a-Service, school devices can always be up-to-date and secure, while deploying at the right pace for your school. In-place upgrades and dynamic provisioning enables schools to leverage their existing devices, while simplified management and deployment tools like Mobile Device Management take the complexity out of upgrading devices. Additional Features Additional features to note about Windows 10: • Faster boot up and performance: Windows 10 starts up and resumes faster, making the most out of your hardware, and making users happier too. • Built-in security: Protects against viruses, phishing, malware, and spyware. Regular updates protect you from the latest threats. Its built-in security is designed to work with the software and hardware you already have. • Windows Hello: No more passwords – the option to log in with facial recognition or fingerprint instead. Coming soon to Canada. • Cortana: The intelligent assistant comes to Windows, helping users execute tasks such as taking notes and setting reminders using their voice. • Gestures, voice and pen: Users will be able to use gestures, such as waving their hand, to activate specific applications and accomplish small tasks. Similarly, the OS works nicely with additional input such as pens and voice. • Hardware options: Expect new form factors optimized for the converged touch OS to come out in the months ahead. www.softchoice.com/microsoft Windows 10 Upgrade Guide for Education 5 Why Windows 10? Why Windows 10 Rules The Classroom While the features outlined above are compelling, here are a few more that highlight why Windows 10 is a winner in the classroom. 1. The platform you never outgrow • With the widest range of device choices, Windows devices can reach all grade levels. • Windows tablets are great for consuming content for K-3 learning their ABCs. • Windows laptops starting at US$189, are great for creating content and collaborating Office 365. • Windows laptops with increased storage and 2-in-1 devices that enable touch and pen input are important to run larger education software, and supporting pen input • With the same operating system across all form factors students don’t need to learn a new one as they move up in grades. K3 5-8 9-12 Beyond www.softchoice.com/microsoft Windows 10 Upgrade Guide for Education 6 Why Windows 10? 2. Thinking in ink • Windows offers a premier inking experience across devices and applications that engage students and enhance their learning. • Students and teachers can easily mark-up webpages using Microsoft Edge – the only built-in technology available for tablets and PCs that lets you write or type directly on webpages. Research shows students who diagram thinking with a pen, using an application like OneNote, score 25%-36% higher than those who only use keyboard when solving science problems. (“Computer interfaces and their impact on learning” by Sharon Oviatt) www.softchoice.com/microsoft Windows 10 Upgrade Guide for Education 7 Why Windows 10? 3. Compatibility king Windows is compatible with the widest range of connected devices in the classroom, from printers, to cameras, and even digital microscopes. It also works well with new educational resources, including websites running on Flash and interactive digital textbooks. 4. Collaborative learning on all devices • Windows runs on the largest range of devices. Choose from web, mobile, and desktop versions of apps that allow for a dynamic classroom, and encourage collaboration creativity, critical thinking and communication skills, such as OneNote, OneDrive and Office 365. • Students can work on the same documents at the same time within the same classroom, or from different parts of the world. www.softchoice.com/microsoft Windows 10 Upgrade Guide for Education 8 Why Windows 10? 5. Designed for all learning styles Windows provides the right device for the right need. Our range of great devices and learning technologies allow teachers to reach students with a range of learning styles and abilities. • Kinetic learners can learn by doing using touch and pen input. • Audio learners are supported as all audio files run on a Windows device. • Solitary learners can unplug and sit in the library while continuing to consume and create content as Windows devices runs both online and offline. >> See even more reasons to upgrade here << www.softchoice.com/microsoft Windows 10 Upgrade Guide for Education 9 Why Windows 10? A World Of Apps For Educators There are thousands of education apps in the Windows marketplace, from early learning games, to study aids and apps to help you manage the classroom - with more being added every day. Here’s a sample of the categories and apps available for Windows 10: ART, DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPHY Doodle Pad: a simple drawing application for all devices and ages CLASSROOM TOOLS My Homework: a planner app that helps students stay organized by tracking classes, assignments and tests HISTORY Back in Time: a stunning exploration of the history of our universe,