How C-to-C Charging Benefits Education and Classroom Devices

June 8, 2023

As in many settings, the digital revolution is transforming the way students learn. Implementing more classroom technology delivers numerous benefits for educators and pupils alike. Yet, using standard device management and charging methods can create challenges for schools.

The Issues With Outdated Approaches

The traditional approach to in-classroom device management is carts and multiple cords. Often, these include conventional power bricks or previous-generation chargers. While functional, these are a less-than-ideal solution and create different issues for everyone involved.

The Information Technology Department’s Perspective

IT directors and team members can quickly become frustrated with carts and older-gen charging technology. These approaches charge devices less quickly, which can be time-consuming for your IT staff when they’re overseeing many devices. Connection designs that aren’t universal can also lead to cable or device port damage when students attempt to force the plug in the wrong way. Both add more repair work to departments that are already frequently overwhelmed. Further, cable management becomes a challenge, especially with conventional power bricks.

The Impacts to Your District’s Educators

Teachers find carts and conventional, non-universal chargers translate directly to increased time spent managing and repowering students’ mobile devices, tablets or Chromebooks. They must take time away from instruction to match devices with the proper cables or wait for units to reach adequate battery levels. Over the school year, those lost minutes add up to substantial lesson hours missed. Many also report a lack of ease of use and significant space needed to house the carts.

The Challenges Facing School Administrators

Senior school leadership shares a similar concern with the IT department regarding cable or port damage and time-consuming charging and repair tasks. They also deem lost instruction time an issue. As a result, district officials facing tight budgets often have to invest limited funds in backup chargers and devices to ensure continued technology access for students.

Redefining Charging With C-to-C

Newer C-to-C charging is a practical approach and is quickly becoming the standard across multiple devices, from smartphones to computers to game consoles.

What Is C-to-C Charging?

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) was instrumental in developing USB-C cable connectors. You can distinguish these through their unique oval shape and identical connectors at each cord end. The universal design outperforms older USB-A cables — those familiar rectangular ones with different connectors at each end that users must insert in a specific direction. Users can easily connect without port variations to help safeguard against cable or port damage. USB-C cables are also compatible with adapters that transform them to connect to Micro-USB, USB-A and HDMI ports.

What Devices Use USB-C Chargers?

Laptops aren’t the only devices in schools that use C-to-C charging. Educators can use these chargers for tablets, smartphones, desktop computers and other electronics. USB-C cables also enable staff to connect their devices to accessories like external hard drives, cameras and displays, which can be essential for presentations and assemblies.

How Is C-to-C Charging Evolving?

The fast charging ability is the most impressive feature of USB-C cables, so USB-C to USB-C chargers can charge faster than other cables. A standard USB-C carries 18 watts of power, which is more than other USB connectors. C-to-C chargers are also compatible with the Power Delivery specification on devices, enabling delivery of up to 100 watts of power. Devices with Power Delivery protocols allow you to charge them faster and safer without using a separate power supply.

Besides the faster charging, USB Power Delivery allows for greater flexibility. A C-to-C cable can act as a two-way port to receive and deliver power, allowing a device to supply power to another instead of only being charged. When two devices are connected, they exchange data via the USB-C port. This data helps them to determine the highest possible power transfer and choose a suitable and safe current and voltage.

It’s important to note that third-party chargers may not be as efficient and can lead to overheating. Use high-quality chargers and cables from reputable companies to ensure the highest power delivery and keep your device safe. If you need to replace a charger or cable, always purchase one that meets USB-IF standards.

Besides charging, you can use cables to transfer data and connect audio and visual systems. USB-C cables can deliver Ultra-HD 4K resolution to USB-C and HDMI displays. The rate at which Type-C cables transfer data is significantly faster than any other USB cable.

Different devices are compatible with one to three main types of cable connectors. You can check your device’s manual to check its USB-C port type. If it’s a USB 3.1 port, it transfers 10 gigabytes of data per second. A USB 3.2 port transfers 20 gigabytes per second, and a Thunderbolt 3 transfers 40 gigabytes in a second.

Today, we’re seeing a more significant move toward USB-C charging as technology companies and manufacturers respond to the European Union’s regulation that will eventually require a standard USB-C charger across all devices. If you haven’t yet started using USB-C chargers, now is the perfect time to switch and enjoy the benefits of doing so.

Benefits of USB-C Charging in Schools

The benefits of a USB-C charger make towers equipped with them ideal for education. Explore the key advantages your district and its workforce gain using USB-C charging towers instead of carts and older charging connectors in your classrooms.

1. Faster Charging

The quick-charging capability of these solutions offers schools many advantages. Fully charged devices are essential for lessons to run smoothly. The fast charging also allows students to replenish the battery on their laptops, tablets or smartphones between classes. Devices spend less time plugged in, and students can use them at their full capacity during class.

2. Universal Compatibility

Compatibility across devices also allows for a universal charging station so teachers and students always have the charger they need on hand without requiring adapters. Instead of maintaining separate charging sections for different devices, classrooms can enjoy a seamless charging station with one charger for everything, eliminating messy cords. An organized charging station is a dream for educators as it removes the clutter of having multiple charging adapters for each student and device.

3. Durable, Sustainable Design

The symmetrical design of USB-C chargers makes it less likely for students to damage the port or the cable since there’s no wrong way to connect it. This feature makes these chargers more durable, saving you from frequent replacements.

The move to USB-C chargers for all devices also benefits the environment and your budget. Instead of having to dispose of chargers every time you replace a computer, you can continue using the same charger and spend less.

A PowerGistics USB-C Charging Station for Multiple Devices Is the Ideal Solution

PowerGistics FLEX20 BOLT is a seamless and effective charging solution for your district’s classroom devices. This Tower charges up to 20 devices simultaneously and features an open design that encourages daily technology use for learning. Our equipment empowers your district to:

1. Save Time

We’ve engineered the FLEX20 BOLT for maximum ease of use for pupils and educators with a student-first focus. Our design eliminates the guesswork of which cord matches which device while empowering students to use it independently. Teachers enjoy peace of mind that every device is fully charged and ready to use daily, with little need to handle the technology themselves.

Estimated time savings for device deployment and management range from 5 to 35 minutes daily per classroom. An average 10-minute time savings across 170 classrooms for a standard 180-day school year translates into 5,100 lesson hours preserved! You can enter your unique district stats in our exclusive calculator to visualize the impact on your classrooms.

Our cable management approach is equally exceptional at delivering user-friendliness and time savings. The FLEX20 BOLT needs zero maintenance post-wiring and can contribute up to 30 minutes to 1 hour of time savings per classroom annually.

2. Maximize Budgets

FLEX20 BOLT provides an outstanding value that helps you maximize your technology spending.

Each comes fully configured with durable USB-C cables and intuitive cable management that means no more frayed and broken ones from stretching and tugging. These cables can save you up to $33 per shelf versus purchasing extra power bricks, creating substantial budget savings.

Our unique design promotes two-handed device handling to help reduce the risk of repairs due to drops and damage by 5 to 10%. As a result, you’ll replace units less often for more money savings. We’ve also included aluminum materials in construction, which helps capture and dissipate device heat. Doing so directly extends your devices’ battery lives to optimize your investment.

All FLEX20 BOLT Towers come with a generous warranty for your peace of mind, plus no refresh cycle to regularly replace hardware. It’s worth noting that device warranties don’t typically cover power bricks or batteries, and a standard cart refresh occurs every four to six years. Both demonstrate the ongoing value of our exclusive design.

3. Boost Accountability

Our innovative design promotes hands-off management for educators and the market’s only 100% student-managed charging system. Pupils are responsible for retrieving devices from and returning them to the Tower. This increased accountability encourages students to take better care of their technology. It also fosters a sense of ownership and independence that can lead to higher self-confidence and more motivation.

4. Increase Safety

Covid appears prepared to stay, and every educator knows the challenges of cold and flu season. PowerGistics helps you effectively implement a one-user-per-device approach to reduce germ exposure. Our solutions also include an antimicrobial powder-coated finish to limit the spread of viruses and bacteria, promoting a healthier classroom and student body.

Improve Device Management With PowerGistics

Our 100% American-made, high-quality Towers save time and money while delivering better organization and faster charging.