Posted on April 29, 2020 by Matt Morelli

The spread of COVID-19, really taking root in March of 2020, fundamentally changed the way many school districts across the US look at 1:1 educational technology programs. While most districts had already become 1:1 or were actively moving in that direction, hundreds of districts maintained focus on paper and pencil learning.

Now, things are different. So if your district is actively looking into how to best create a 1:1 program, here is some information to consider when discussing how you will protect the devices when they are inside, or outside of school...

Posted on April 25, 2020 by Matt Morelli

Because you don't know what you don't know.

I suppose I should expound on that and make this an actual blog, as opposed to simply answering the question. You need insurance because it is the best, most comprehensive form of protection available for the considerable investment that your district has made in 1:1 technology. Period. No other form of protection can stand up to it. Self-insurance, manufacturer warranty, manufacturer accidental damage protection (ADP), technology fee, crossing fingers, the district master policy, and really hoping nothing breaks. None of these...

Posted on April 1, 2020 by Matt Morelli

American news media began really talking about COVID-19, the Coronavirus that is currently spreading across the globe, back in January of 2020. Early on, I suppose it was easy to pay attention to the reports, but the reality of the situation had not yet sunk into the collective American consciousness...

Posted on Aug 28, 2019 by Matt Morelli

I'm going to paraphrase a statement that I just read, on a web forum for teachers. In a thread titled “Punishment for cracked screen?”, one commenter told the group the following:

"Cracked screens are fixed by insurance the first time. Then, the iPad can only be used at school...no take home privileges. It’s checked out of and back into the office every day. It never leaves the school. Next, is the classroom iPad. You do not get to have your own any longer. Finally...you get no tech device. No iPad, no Chromebook. You get a pencil and paper. From what I have been told by parents, it’s a living hell."

Posted on May 20, 2019 by Matt Morelli

Deploying costly edtech devices to students in 1:1 programs comes with a host of inherent risks. Among these are loss, theft, accidental damage, hardware issues, software issues, etc.

When purchasing devices, it may be tempting to purchase the manufacturer's extended warranty (sometimes referred to as an Accidental Damage Plan or ADP), but beware that the coverage for these risks that is offered through an extended warranty, may leave you in need of a lifeline...

Posted on Feb 19, 2019 by Matt Morelli

The world around us has changed rapidly over the last few decades and the use of technology in the classroom is now commonplace. Gone are the days of dedicated computer time, in the (shared) computer lab – every lesson has the potential to be based around educational technology now.

Posted on August 13, 2018 by Matt Morelli

Many schools and districts are now working to eradicate the paper-based learning model, with the introduction of a 1:1 program (one student, one device) which provides children with portable devices like the iPads and Chromebooks, many of which are able to be taken off of school grounds with the student...

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Matt Morelli

As the popularity of 1:1 computing programs is on the rise, so are the figures on how often these devices get damaged, as well as the replacement costs. The average time it takes from purchasing your device to breaking it is 10 weeks. That means that within the first two and a half months of school, it is likely that a device will sustain some form of damage, be lost, or stolen...

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Matt Morelli

Hi, I’m Matt Morelli, the director of business development with U-PIC Insurance Services, and School Device Coverage. I’m the father of a pre-teen, who has been using educational technology devices in the classroom for the past few years...

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Matt Morelli

What is equity in technology, in the context of school issued edtech devices? Simply put, it is leveling the playing field between students with means, and without means, to be granted fair access to devices which have revolutionized the way children are learning. Equity in technology means that the student whose parents bring home a combined $32,000 household income, has the same safe access to an iPad, as the student whose parents bring home a combined $320,000 household income.

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Matt Morelli

One topic that is a part of many discussions we have with districts is how School Device Coverage (SDC) works with, and alongside the extended manufacturer warranties that they’ve already purchased. The answer is only complex, because there are so many variables. Generally speaking, if you carry an extended manufacturer warranty on your devices, you do not have active coverage on loss or theft; your warranty coverage is for one device and does not transfer to any loaner devices; and you may need to pay a deductible to repair any damage that happens to the device...