The collaboration between Signpost and the Atlas College began three years ago with the laptop project. For this initiative, the school chose the HP ProBook, partly because of its robustness and reliability. Over the years, however, the school noticed that laptops were frequently damaged, particularly in the lower secondary years.
To tackle this issue, the Signpost Shockcase was introduced. This protective case extends the lifespan of the laptops and helps prevent damage.
We spoke with Ruben Tuts, policy officer and teacher of STEM, Technology & ICT, about the impact of this solution.
Why the Shockcase?
Damage to laptops in the lower secondary years was a significant challenge for the school. Due to careless use, there were frequent reports of broken screens and other physical damage. This not only led to high repair costs, but also disrupted lessons and created extra administrative work.
“The Shockcases were introduced because we were dealing with a lot of damage and were looking for an alternative that would reduce the number of repairs and allow students to continue working in class. Being without a laptop in today’s digital world is very difficult.” - Ruben Tuts
Since the introduction of the Shockcase, the number of damage incidents has dropped by 63%. This means fewer repairs and less administrative workload for the ICT department.
Less damage, more efficiency
Thanks to the use of the Shockcase, physical defects, such as cracked screens, have significantly decreased. Any issues reported now typically involve minor electronic problems. The ICT department has noticed the difference: fewer repair requests, less paperwork, and more time for core tasks.
Both teachers and parents have experienced the benefits of the Shockcase.
“Several colleagues have told us that it was a great initiative and that the laptops are now more robust. And of course, teachers are always happy when students come to class with their equipment in good condition. Parents have also mentioned that the Shockcase encourages students to be more attentive and take better care of their laptops.” - Ruben Tuts
Students become more careful with their laptops
An additional benefit of the protective case is that it makes students more aware of the need to handle their devices with care. The visible case serves as a reminder that the laptop is valuable - not something to take for granted. This shift in mindset also contributes to the decrease in damage incidents.
“Students now understand better that the laptop isn’t their property, but it is their responsibility. They use it, but they know they have to take care of it.” - Ruben Tuts
Support from Signpost
It's not just the Shockcase itself, but also the support provided by Signpost plays a key role in the success of the school’s laptop policy.
“We’ve always received strong support from Signpost. We have good direct contact for reporting repairs, and we’re always kept well informed.” - Ruben Tuts.
Thanks to this efficient support, laptop management runs much more smoothly, and problems are resolved quickly.
A recommendation for other schools
Thanks to the significant reduction in damage, lower costs, and reduced administrative burden, Atlas College recommends the combination of the HP ProBook and Shockcase to other schools as well. With this investment, the school not only achieves more efficient laptop management, but also supports a sustainable and future-proof ICT policy.
Ruben Tuts concludes: “The Shockcase is definitely something I would recommend to other schools. Both because of the cost savings and the reduction in repairs, which in turn eases the pressure on the laptop support desk.”
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