As the use of technology in the classroom continues to rise, so does the need for software to help schools manage that technology and keep students safe online. As schools reconvene this fall, Impero, a leading provider of classroom management, network management and online safety software, is offering a $2.5 million “Back to School Tech Grant,” program which provides access to Impero Education Pro and Impero EdLink at a subsidized rate to help schools overcome the challenges associated with technology initiatives.
Schools can apply for the grants through September 30, 2017.
Impero Education Pro is a consolidated solution for classroom management, online safety and network management. EdLink is a mobile device management tool to help schools manage one-to-one initiatives or BYOD programs. Education Pro and EdLink work across all platforms including Windows, Mac OS, Chrome, iOS, and Android.
To take advantage of the grant, schools must visit https://www.imperosoftware.com/us/back-school-grant/ and submit a 50-word write up about why their school or district would benefit from this funding. Schools can request between $1,250 and $25,000 toward software licenses and technology. The grant will be open through Sept. 30 or until all funds are exhausted.
As more and more schools and districts adopt programs to increase students’ access to technology, it is important for them to also consider ways to:
1. Protect students from online dangers without blocking the endless opportunities,
2. Help teachers easily control student use of technology in the classroom so students can get the most out of their time,
3. Support the IT team in managing an array of platforms and devices.
“Providing students with greater access to technology and the internet can open up amazing new opportunities to engage students and improve learning outcomes,” said Sam Pemberton, CEO of Impero Software. “But schools sometimes face funding challenges when it comes to implementing or supporting these initiatives. Impero understands this, and that’s why we’ve developed a powerful solution that can replace multiple disparate software packages being used by a school. The grant supports schools that are launching new initiatives by helping them integrate Impero Education Pro or Impero EdLink into their classrooms at a subsidized rate.”
The “Back-to-School Tech Grant” program will offer the following options:
• $1,250 Bronze Grant for schools/districts with a minimum of 250 devices
• $3,750 Silver Grant for schools/districts with a minimum of 1,000 devices
• $12,500 Gold Grant for schools/districts with a minimum of 5,000 devices
• $25,000 Platinum Grant for schools/districts with a minimum of 10,000 devices
The “Back-to-School Tech Grant” is the second grant program from Impero. A similar program in November, 2016 allowed a number of school systems to gain access to Impero technology at a subsidized rate, including Stone County Schools in Mississippi. The district installed Impero Education Pro on the computers in all of its computer labs and plans to expand that installation to include additional devices used by staff and students at the school, including laptops and Chromebooks.
“With the number of computers we have in our district, we needed something that would help us monitor and control students’ use of those devices,” said Chuck McGee, Technology Director for Stone County Schools. “The added oversight helps keep the district CIPA compliant and ensures our staff and students are protected to the best of our ability. The software provides the IT department with so many useful tools that it’s almost like having an additional technician on staff. Our technicians (and our teachers) love it!”
The grant program is part of Impero’s ongoing work to support schools in keeping students safe online and promoting good digital citizenship. The company released a white paper, co-authored with the Digital Citizenship Institute, in October, 2016, at the Digital Citizenship Summit in San Francisco, which offers insight and best practices when teaching digital citizenship in schools. It released an Online Safety Handbook this year which provides resources and best practices for schools that are using Impero Education Pro.
