Thin Client Pilots - Canyons District

In an effort to get computers in the classroom, Canyons District is piloting "Thin Clients". A thin client is simply monitors that run off of one virtual server which acts as the hard drive. One virtual server can handle 180 work stations or "thin Clients". We have installed 4-5 clients per classroom in several grades in Altara and Oakdale Elementary Schools. (Weber District has additional experience with Thin Clients.)

Advantages:
Over time this should equate to a great savings for the District. Not initially.
Cost: Monitor - $160 Thin Client - $480 Server $$$
Usable life extended to 7 to 10 years
Easy to make mass changes to image
Operational cost and support is centralized
Students login using their credentials and save to their Active Directory accounts.
CBT's (Computer Based Testing) can be administered through Thin Clients


Disadvantages:
Thin Clients run only Windows and there are problems running cross platforms with all the Macs in our elementary schools.
Students login using their credentials - not easy for lower grades.
Issues streaming large files across network.
In order to do CBT's we will have to move thin clients from classrooms to a central location for a period of time.