Using thin clients, schools can significantly reduce the cost of technology over time and increase access for students, teachers, administrators, and the school community. Because thin clients require almost no maintenance and are far more reliable than traditional computing devices, teachers spend less time troubleshooting problems and have more time to work with students. Thin clients use the network to access data and applications from servers rather than storing information or processing power at the desktop. This site focuses on WBTs because they build on existing infrastructure and software investments by using existing wiring, network equipment, computers, and other legacy equipment. Thin clients are the next step in the computing evolution, not a return to the past.
Thin clients are more powerful than fat client and more flexible than mainframes.
Lemon Grove School District near San Diego, California, has integrated thin clients into a master technology plan with access in every classroom as well as students' homes. Setting goals for your plan keeps the team focused and communicates a positive message to the community. But they have to be placed in the right hands and used in the right ways. Visit the Education Week site to track the debate on this critical question. Selecting a consultant for a critical technology project is an important decision for a school district.