Battle Ground Academy, a K-12 prep school in Franklin, TN, is now in its second year of issuing PCs that have been pre-loaded with Microsoft Office and classroom software to its students. At first, students were able to add any applications, but the IT director soon realized the problems this policy posed.

The academy changed its policy to disallow all but the best-established instant messaging software and audio software, and forbade peer-to-peer sharing software (including games and other downloaded applications). After this change, students were able to complete their work more quickly, and computer malfunctions have decreased.

Students can load applications if they choose, but the IT staff uses KBOX, an appliance from systems management provider KACE, to remove forbidden applications as soon as students connect with the school’s network.