The economic and social impacts of COVID-19 continue to unfold worldwide, leaving an indelible mark on some industries more than others. Education is one such sector. When the pandemic first hit, the education of our children and students was almost immediately halted. Precious time was lost and learning was stunted due to an overnight move to virtual learning. This created a massive disruption for thousands of educators and schoolboard personnel, not to mention students and their families.

Technology fueling education

Thanks to the incredible power of technology, schoolboards across western Canada were given an option to keep students and teachers connected during these uncertain times. Through innovative technology solutions and devices, students were able to pivot their learning to digital methods and to salvage parts of the school year that would have otherwise been squandered.

Now, as we finally turn the corner on the pandemic, the demand for technology to support e-learning is at an all-time high. Students gearing up to return to the classroom in the fall, whether virtually or in-person, have grown accustomed to using digital tools for lesson instruction, to submit assignments, or work collaboratively with their peers. For that reason, schoolboards are tasked with increasing the number of digital tools made available to students in order to optimize performance in this new e-learning landscape.

As a global leader in technology and devices, Samsung has crafted durable and affordable technology solutions that students can use both in-person and virtually in order to succeed in all aspects of academia.

Smart devices make smart students

Solutions like the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite and the Samsung Chromebook 4 | 4+ offer students excellent access to the web with long-lasting battery life and easy-to-use functionality.[1] The 8.7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is an ideal tablet for the student on the go, that is durable, sleek, and portable for use in and outside the classroom. Whether used for note taking, collaborating with peers or doing research, the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is the device students need to stay agile, informed and on top of all subjects.

What’s more, students across Canada are thriving in the digital learning sphere thanks to the Samsung Chromebook 4 | 4+. These highly capable laptops are equipped with a built-in Google experience, making both editions of the Chromebook remarkably easy for students to get online and dive head-first into learning from home, in class or elsewhere. The devices allow for fast access to the web and popular apps on the Google Play Store, as well as Google applications including Docs, Sheets and Slides. This comprehensive offering makes collaboration with peers and remote assignment submission simple.

These devices are equipped with up to 10 plus hours of battery life, making them capable of lasting through an entire day of lessons without the need for a wired charge.[2] Weighing 2.6 pounds and 3.75 pounds, respectively, the Chromebook 4 and 4+ are easy to pack and ideal for students of all ages. The Chromebook lineup also features child-friendly design elements such as pick-proof keys and no screws.

Connection builds community

One such company that recently experienced the value of Galaxy innovation was Quebec-based education application Planitou.

Planitou facilitates information sharing between staff and parents at summer camps, preschools and daycares. Before the pandemic, the app had over 500 organizations communicating important data to the families of over 60,000 children, and demand was steadily increasing – that’s when COVID-19 hit.

In order to survive, Planitou needed scalable solutions to enhance client capabilities while offering cloud-based controls and seamless app deployment. In the nick of time, Samsung deployed some of its most useful products to assist in the continuation of Planitou’s vital business operations. Armed with the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite, Planitou was able to make communication easier to parents and guardians during the early transitional months of the pandemic, providing an invaluable link between the educator and the parent.

In order for students to succeed in this new world, the reality is that technology is now intertwined with education and thus vital for success. Education is the bedrock of a progressive, transformative society that provides young people with the right tools lead the industries of tomorrow.

School boards can learn more about the Chromebook 4 and Chromebook 4+ here.

For more information about the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite, click here.

Content created in partnership with Business in Vancouver

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[1] Based on average battery life under typical usage conditions. Average expected performance based on typical use. Actual battery life depends on factors such as network, features selected, frequency of calls and voice, data and other application usage patterns. Results may vary.

[2] Measured according to Google Scenario (Power Load Test) criteria. (Tested Product Specifications: Intel® Celeron Processor N4000 / 4GB Memory / 32GB eMMC). Based on average battery life under typical usage conditions. Average expected performance based on typical use. Actual battery life depends on factors such as network, features selected, frequency of calls and voice, data and other application usage patterns. Results may vary. Weights vary depending on manufacturing process.

When COVID-19 turned the world upside down, educators faced unprecedented challenges. As classrooms went digital, widespread lockdowns accelerated the need for quality technology. Amid the “new normal,” some educators lacked suitable tools to effectively communicate with children and parents. Without dependable resources, a generation of young people faced a demanding, disconnected school year.

For the education application Planitou, the pandemic was a turning point. The Quebec-based service facilitates information sharing between parents and staff at preschools, daycares and summer camps using helpful and vibrant mobile tools like feedback diaries, real-time chat and agenda planning. The app, which keeps parents engaged and helps kids feel proud of accomplishments, already had more than 500 organizations communicating with the families of 60,000 children before the pandemic, and demand was increasing. Planitou needed to provide new and current customers with a scalable solution to operate during the pandemic that offered seamless app deployment and cloud-based controls, all in one place.

Planitou had a robust network of partner schools, daycares and camps, but needed to get the right technology in the hands of its stakeholders to manage through the evolving pandemic. It became clear that, while COVID-19 may have changed the classroom forever, community, communication, and support will always remain at the heart of a strong education environment. For Planitou, Samsung became the central partner in facilitating that environment. Paired with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 and Knox Configure, the company could foster a cutting-edge digital transformation of preschools, daycares and camps without requiring extensive IT knowledge from a growing base of clients.

Samsung provided powerful new tablets to Planitou clients to make it easier to communicate with parents and guardians with the app during the early transitional months of the pandemic. In a time when all Canadians felt disconnected from one another, and parents feared that children might regress during lockdown, Planitou and Samsung ensured that the community engagement fostered by the app would remain as strong as before.

Enriching education with ease and assurance, backed by powerful innovation

Knox Configure

With Samsung Knox Configure, Planitou ensured its Galaxy Tab A7 devices were set up and ready to be distributed to childcare services, schools and day camps with the required software. Part of the Knox MSP Program, Knox Configure is a tool that enables remote configuration of Samsung smartphones and tablets en masse to create custom experiences that address specific business needs. At a time when provincial lockdowns in Quebec could have made deployment challenging, Samsung Knox Configure made it easy to deliver important technology to teachers and educators.

“For our clients, the Knox Configure and Planitou pairing is a turnkey solution. It makes sure the devices they purchase for their employees come with the apps they require without needing IT expertise or a dedicated team of IT experts on hand,” said Jonathan Thivierge, CEO of Planitou.

Once out of the box, enrolled Samsung tablets automatically received an update via WiFi during initial device setup and were instantly equipped with the Planitou app along with other customized features. For procurement managers and administrators, this was especially convenient as both the hardware and the configuration services were all secured by one provider: Planitou.

Galaxy Tab A7

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 device also provides a variety of benefits. Its all-day battery^[1] and lightweight design make it easier for teachers and care providers to get their work done without having to pause. The fast processor allows users to access the apps they need quickly, whether they are pulling up student records, taking notes or communicating with parents. Beyond speed and dependability, the Galaxy Tab A7 also offers a stunning screen experience to keep children engaged. For Planitou, the devices provided a vibrant canvas for the colourful experience of using its education app. Planitou allows children to feel good about their accomplishments in eye-catching ways while keeping parents informed, with an experience made even more appealing and dependable thanks to cutting-edge Samsung hardware.

“Samsung has been a great partner since the start and remains a dependable ally as we all continue navigating the ongoing changes of COVID,” added Thivierge. “Samsung has gone out of their way to help us and ensured that we could continue our operations with the added peace of mind that everything will run smoothly in an integrated way.”

Moving forward to a more powerful new normal

Planitou immediately experienced the benefits of working with Samsung as its hardware and deployment partner. The newfound efficiency presented opportunities to manage and streamline its processes. This promise of productivity and an efficient customer experience also helped Planitou grow its client base. Regular feedback from Planitou’s customers showed that administrative teams and end users were thrilled by having a reliable tablet that worked from day one and had all the necessary tools pre-installed.

“Education has long been a pillar of the Samsung mission. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we will remain a trusted partner for educators and leverage our mobile devices for a more powerful new normal,” says Paul Edwards, vice president and general manager of Enterprise Sales at Samsung Canada. “We are excited to work with Planitou to bring this to life and help facilitate information-sharing between parents and educators with Samsung Knox Configure and the Knox MSP Program.”

Going forward, Planitou and Samsung Canada are extending their partnership to offer continued support to camps, preschools and education centres. The partnership has also recently started offering the Galaxy Tab Active3, an LTE-activated tablet device that allows educators to stay connected even on the school bus or soccer field. It’s just one more way that Samsung is helping ensure community, communication and support remain at the heart of the education experience.

^[1] Based on average battery life under typical usage conditions. Average expected performance based on typical usage. Actual battery life depends on factors such as network, features selected, and other application-usage patterns. Results may vary. Typical value based on testing under third-party lab conditions. Rated capacity is 6,820mAh.