Adapters

A USB-C card reader taking both SD and MicroSD. For any classroom running cameras, drones, dash-mounted robots or Raspberry Pi, this is how footage and images get off the card and onto a laptop that has no card slot. What it does: Reads full-size SD and MicroSD cards Connects over USB-C Available in black, space grey or white Where schools use it: media and film courses, drone programs, photography, and any Raspberry Pi work where an SD card needs reimaging. One per trolley or per media kit saves a lot of hunting. Bulk quantities available on a school purchase order.

A USB-C to 3.5mm adapter for plugging wired headphones into a device that has no headphone socket. For a school with an existing 3.5mm class set and a fleet moving to USB-C, this is the cheapest way to keep those headphones working. What it does: 3.5mm audio output from a USB-C port Works with any wired headphone or headset Available in black or white The maths worth doing: replacing a 30-headphone class set with USB-C models costs several hundred dollars. Thirty of these costs a fraction of that and keeps the headphones you already own in service. Bulk quantities available on a school purchase order.

Compact plug adapters that convert USB-C to USB-A or the other way round. The cheapest way to bridge a mixed device fleet — older peripherals into new laptops, or new USB-C accessories into older desktops. Choose your direction: USB-C to USB-A — plugs into a USB-C laptop, accepts a USB-A device. For mice, keyboards, USB drives and visualisers. USB-A to USB-C — plugs into an older desktop or hub, accepts a USB-C cable. For charging newer devices from existing equipment. What to know: these are rigid plug adapters, which is why they're the lowest-cost option. If the adapter will live permanently in a laptop that gets carried in a bag, the 15cm lead version flexes and lasts longer. Bulk quantities available on a school purchase order.

The adaptors that bridge a mixed device fleet to whatever a classroom already has on the wall. Most schools run a mix of USB-C laptops, older HDMI displays and the occasional VGA projector that still works fine — these are what make them talk to each other. Choose what you need: USB-C to HDMI 4K — modern laptop to a display or interactive panel USB-C to HDMI & VGA — covers both a new panel and an older projector from one adaptor USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet — wired network on a laptop with no RJ45 port DisplayPort to HDMI 4K — desktop or dock to a classroom display USB-C male to USB-A female — plug older peripherals into a USB-C laptop USB-A male to USB-C female — the reverse, for USB-C devices on an older desktop Worth holding a few of each in the AV cupboard rather than one per room — adaptors migrate, and a missing one stops a lesson. Bulk quantities available on a school purchase order.

When a school moves to USB-C devices, the headphones don't have to go with them. This 30-pack of SchoolTech adaptors puts a 3.5mm socket on the end of a USB-C port, so an existing set of wired headphones keeps working instead of being replaced. What you get: 30 adaptors per pack USB-C plug to 3.5mm headphone socket 8cm long White Part number USBC-HEA-ADP-30 Why schools choose them: Replacing a class set of headphones costs many times more than adapting the ones you already have Short enough to stay with the device rather than becoming another cable in the drawer Useful mid-transition, when some rooms have moved to USB-C and others haven't yet Keeps 3.5mm headphones — including SchoolTech's own Extra Sturdy and Over-Ear sets — in service after a device refresh One adaptor per device is simpler to manage than sorting headphones by which room they belong to Sold in packs of 30, which covers a class with a few spares for the ones that inevitably go missing. Worth keeping a box in the IT room — adaptors only ever become urgent five minutes before a test.

FREE SHIPPING ON THIS PRODUCT Most schools are running a mix — older laptops with a headphone socket, newer iPads and Chromebooks without one. This SchoolTech class set covers both: the same volume-limited Extra Sturdy headphones on a 3.5mm plug, packed with a USB-C adaptor so they work either way. What you get: Class set of 30, 50 or 100 pairs — choose your pack size above 3.5mm jack plus a USB-C adaptor for each pair Volume limited to 85dB Break-proof nylon cord Inline microphone 1.1m cable Teal and blue A storage pouch with each pair, with space for a student's name Part number HEA-ES-USB-C Why schools choose them: One set works across a mixed fleet, so you're not buying twice or sorting headphones by year level When devices get replaced, the headphones carry over and the adaptor absorbs the change The volume ceiling is built in at 85dB, so it holds regardless of what a student does with the slider An inline mic handles oral tasks and text-to-speech work without extra equipment Named pouches, so a set of thirty still numbers thirty at the end of term Twelve-month warranty. Worth knowing: the headphones themselves use a standard 3.5mm plug, so they'll work on any device with a headphone socket whatever happens to the adaptor — which makes this the safer pick if you're not certain what your fleet will look like in two years.

A USB-C to HDMI adapter for connecting a laptop or tablet to a classroom display, interactive panel or projector. On a 15cm flexible lead rather than a rigid plug, so it survives being left connected while the laptop is moved. What it does: 4K output from any USB-C device with DisplayPort Alt Mode 15cm Long-Life lead Plug and play — no drivers or software Where schools use it: the single most-requested adapter in any school, because every teacher with a USB-C laptop needs to get a picture onto a display that only has HDMI. Keep spares — a missing adapter stops a lesson. Check your display before ordering. 4K covers almost every classroom panel and projector in service. If you're running an 8K display, look at the Pro-X range instead. Bulk quantities available on a school purchase order.

A USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet adapter, for putting a laptop on the wired network when Wi-Fi isn't good enough or isn't allowed. Most modern laptops have no RJ45 port at all, which is a problem the first time a school needs a stable connection for online testing. What it does: Gigabit Ethernet from a USB-C port 15cm Long-Life flexible lead Where schools use it: NAPLAN and other online assessment, where a dropped connection costs a session Fixed workstations in labs and libraries Troubleshooting — ruling out Wi-Fi as the cause Worth holding a few in the IT cupboard even if your fleet runs on Wi-Fi day to day. Bulk quantities available on a school purchase order.

A short USB-C to USB-A adapter on a 15cm lead. The lead matters more than it sounds — a rigid plug dongle sticking straight out of a laptop is the first thing to snap when a device goes into a bag, whereas a short cable flexes and survives. What it does: Connects USB-A devices to a USB-C laptop or tablet 15cm flexible lead rather than a rigid plug Long-Life reinforced construction Where schools use it: plugging older mice, keyboards, USB drives and visualisers into newer Chromebooks and MacBooks that only have USB-C. Worth keeping several per computer lab — they migrate. Bulk quantities available on a school purchase order.

A small aluminium adapter that lets a USB-A cable plug into a USB-C port. The cheapest way to keep older peripherals working on newer laptops — mice, keyboards, USB drives and visualisers that a school already owns. What it does: Converts USB-A to USB-C Aluminium body matching Apple device finishes Silver or space grey Worth buying in quantity. These are small, useful and migrate around a school — a handful per computer lab is more realistic than one per laptop. Purchase orders accepted on school accounts.

A compact adapter that lets a USB-A device plug into a USB-C port — the other direction from the aluminium USB-A to USB-C adapter, and the one most schools need more of. What it does: USB 3.0 speeds from a USB-C port Takes any USB-A plug: mice, keyboards, drives, visualisers, microscopes No drivers or software Why schools run out of these. Every laptop refresh drops USB-A ports while the peripherals in the cupboard keep them. One adapter per laptop isn't enough — they migrate. Buy a handful per room. Purchase orders accepted on school accounts.