Choosing Devices (e.g. iPad, Chromebook, etc.)

Whether you are just starting out with Transparent Classroom and you're wondering which devices your staff will use for planning and record-keeping, looking into devices for administrative use, or updating from your current devices to newer devices, this support article will help you:

Chose Modern Devices
Update to Modern Devices
Decide Which Devices Best Serve Your Use of Transparent Classroom

As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to info@transparentclassroom.com.

Choosing Modern Devices

To access the full functionality of Transparent Classroom, we recommend using devices that were released within the last five years or so, which still support software updates and can run a modern web-browser such as Safari, Firefox or Chrome. However, this doesn't have to mean a big start-up cost for your school. Many schools use budget tablets purchased online, or devices that have been donated by parents.

When you're considering a device, here are some principles to keep in mind:

Teachers need access to a device. The most important thing is that teachers have access to Transparent Classroom when they have time to use it. This can be during prep time, on a break, after school, or in the classroom depending on how they want to use it.
Tablets can work for some purposes. Many of our Toddler and Primary teachers use a smartphone or tablet and do everything with it. If you're considering a tablet, we recommend using one that is at least 9.5" at it's widest dimension for record-keeping purposes. However, for uploading photos, taking attendance, and recording daily tracking events, many schools report satisfaction with mini-tablets or smartphones.
Laptops / Desktops / Chromebooks work best. These devices provide the most fluid experience with the site, as long as they are available. Still, some teachers prefer the portability of a tablet or smartphone.
Record-keeping can be on paper. In Toddler and Primary classrooms, many teachers feel strongly that there should not be screens in the classroom. For these guides, it's quite possible to do their regular record-keeping on paper and then come back to a computer or device at a later time. This can be as simple as generating and printing a lesson plan, checking the lessons off the plan online, and adding narrative observations as needed.
Each classroom will need a strong internet connection. Teachers do need to be able to access Transparent Classroom, which is an online record-keeping system. We find that day-to-day record keeping and especially the [Daily Tracking] and [Attendance] feature flow more smoothly if Administrators can help guides with a strong, consistent internet connection for their device.

Updating Devices

We recommend using devices that were released within the last five years or so, which still support software updates and can run a modern web-browser such as Safari, Firefox or Chrome. As a computer or tablet ages, it stops support updates to its operating system and software. Regular software updates enable your device to use the modern web-based and mobile-based technology built into Transparent Classroom. Some devices may last longer than five years and should continue to run Transparent Classroom so long as they continue to support updates to their software and modern web-browsers. However, smartphone technology advances much faster and may not last five years. Generally, your smartphone needs to be replaced every two to three years for full functionality.

A Few Notes on Specific Features and Devices

Depending on how you plan to use Transparent Classroom, you might like to read on for more information about specific features and functionality:

Record-Keeping on the [Progress & Plan] page. While a wide variety of devices work for many record-keeping styles, if you plan to use the [Progress & Plan] page, packed with information about the whole classroom at a glance, we recommend trying that page out on your device before you buy it. For example, you can click and drag to select or present a lesson to a whole group of children on a laptop browser; however, due to the way that scrolling works on touch screens, on an iPad you would need to tap the square for each child individually.
Using the Photo Upload App. We have released a new app just for uploading photos quickly into the classroom! It's available for both Apple and Android mobile devices, for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Using the [Parent Sign-In] Page. It is possible to use the page called [Parent Sign-In] to capture signatures when parents drop children off and pick them up. For this feature, you can easily use a smaller tablet, like an iPad Mini or an Android tablet. You will need a strong and consistent internet connection to use this feature, so we do not recommend carrying the tablet to a car line if you use that system. The signature feature is not available on Microsoft Surface tablets, or other Windows touch screen devices, due to the way that scrolling works on those devices.
Using [Daily Tracking] to track events like Naps / Bottles / Toileting. Guides can use this page to keep tracking of daily events in real-time, and automatically send a summary to parents either at the end of the day or when they sign their child out on the [Parent Sign-In] page. This simplifies the process involving paper slips for each child and allows parents to know right away when their child last ate, slept, or used the restroom. Daily Tracking is targeted for Infant/Toddler communities. We imagine that every teacher has a device (a smartphone is fine) in their pocket to track events throughout the day.
Using the Admin features in Transparent Classroom. If you are doing administration stuff, we suggest you use a laptop/desktop, as many of the administrative screens are not optimized for mobile.

Questions?

If you have additional questions or feedback, please send us an email at info@transparentclassroom.com, or click [?] > [Ask] in the bottom right-hand corner of your browser window.