Windows 8 has failed to take off in ways Microsoft had imagined, but that is not stopping schools in Australia from incorporating the troubled operating system throughout every classroom. The interesting thing about this deployment is how the school boards chose to go with ultrabooks and  traditional tablets along with tablets+pen as an alternative to desktop computers.

Queensland’s Varsity College is one of the first to incorporate Windows 8, and we understand over 3,200 students will benefit from this rollout. Principal of Queensland’s Varsity College, Jeff Davis, believes Windows 8 is the best choice for students as a plethora of learning related apps and tools are available for students:

“With a pen, students can make links, draw formulas and edit pictures and the whole solution becomes a multi-purpose device. Windows 8 enabled devices have far greater use than just a tablet or touch screen, as we’re able to integrate all these subjects onto one device, which could not have been achieved purely on keyboard based technology.

While we researched other options, Windows 8 is the clear leader in all of the areas of technology that we believe are fundamental to student learning, including application development, synchronicity with existing IT infrastructure and ease of use,” Davis continues, “Having researched competitors, the decision to use Microsoft came down to quality control and the knowledge that Microsoft is the global leader of providing technology in the classroom”.

Other schools to shift to Windows 8 are Ballarat Grammar, All Saints College, and Prince Alfred College.

We should point out that schools listed here are private, so until Microsoft can convince public schools to make the switch, this is not really a huge victory for Windows 8… but victory nonetheless.

[via Delimiter]