What are the benefits of BYOD?
Our students are living in a world where they have immediate access to information anytime and anywhere. Having a personally-owned device allows students to learn in their own style and at their own pace. With digital learning, every student can access high quality and rigorous instruction, thereby maximising their opportunity for success in school and beyond.
Specific Benefits include:
- Allows for personalised learning
- Improved student learning outcomes
- Improved collaboration
- Give students greater choice and more independence
- It creates a model for lifelong learning
- Smooth transition between home and school
- Allows for 24/7/365 access
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Provides easier student access to online instructional materials
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Supplements school resources and equipment
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Normalisation of technology
Do all students have to be part of the BYOD program?
Yes, all students in all year levels are required to be part of the program.
What if I can’t afford to buy a device?
We offer 2 levels of support for parents:
- The option to purchase a new device from our purchasing portal https://ashs.orderportal.com.au/ which offers 6 different devices with 36 month interest free finance. All devices come standard with 3 years on site warranty support which is processed by our IT Dept.
- The option to purchase a refurbished ex-school laptop;
Contact the front office for further information.
What devices are permitted?
We are a Windows based school and devices must run Windows 10.
We recommend you review the BYOD Flyer linked from the BYOD Program page. The minimum specifications may be reviewed and updated over time to reflect the nature of technological change however good devices purchased now, such as education devices purchased from our portal, will last many years into the future.
How much will the device be used at school?
Devices are tools for learning that will be used along with all the other tools available at school and home (e.g. pen, paper, calculators, books, computers etc). Students’ devices will only be used when they are a great fit for learning and enhance the experience.
All things, no matter how good, can be used excessively and this may lead to problems: food (obesity), exercise (exhaustion or injury), reading (eye strain) and technology. In all things, therefore, moderation in use is important. We do not require the students to use their devices all the time; it is important that they engage in a range of activities. We do not substitute the device where it is not needed and we will only use it where best fit. We want our students to become creators with technology, not consumers of technology. We all have a role to play in teaching our students technology etiquette and we know that if not managed correctly technology can become a distraction. It is our job to teach students of the need to recognise this fact and be technology free where appropriate.
Do you have advice about online safety?
Educating students about safety online is everyone’s responsibility. At school teachers reinforce safe digital practices when opportunities arise in class. Students are blocked from accessing sites such as Facebook and YouTube while at achool however at home no restrictions are applied the the devices. For this we recommend the use of FamilyZone software -
https://www.familyzone.com/anz/families
Students are also presented with information on responsible Digital Citizenship. This information is available on the link below.
Digital Citizenship Presentation (PDF, 423KB)
Up-to-date and comprehensive advice on online safety for you and your children can be found below.
For students please visit:
https://www.esafety.gov.au/
For Parents please visit:
https://www.esafety.gov.au/iparent
What about security, theft and damage to the physical device?
Devices will be the responsibility of the student; in the same way a student, not the school, is responsible for his or her phone during the school day. Devices should be taken into classrooms during class time and at recess, students need to ensure the security of their own device. Students will take their devices home at the end of the day. Students will be educated in the proper care and appropriate use of their device. Optional insurance is available when purchasing devices from the school’s purchasing portal. Parents may also review their insurance policies to see if the BYOD device is covered under home and contents insurance for accidental loss or damage at, or outside the home. It is recommended that a suitable protective bag is used for the device. The school will accept no responsibility for the security or safety of the device. Should a device become damaged through a deliberate action of another student, this should be reported to the Year Level Coordinator.
What technical support will be available to students at school?
The school technicians provide a full service centre and help desk facility for students between 8am and 3pm Monday to Friday and provide advice and support for all devices. If the device is damaged and is not covered by warranty or insurance, the school technicians will investigate and quote on the best and cheapest options for repairing the device and can carry out the repairs on site.
If the device was purchased from our purchasing portal they come with 3 year onsite warranty. In the event of a warranty failure, the device should be taken to the school’s IT support who will assess and log the warranty job. The repair will take place at school during school hours by one of the approved warranty repair agents, usually within 1 to 2 days.
What about viruses?
Personal devices cannot be connected to the school’s BYO network unless they have a current up-to-date antivirus program installed. Windows 10 has a standard virus protection built in called Windows Defender. No computer is immune to viruses or spam. Virus protection will need to be regularly updated and scans carried out. As Defender is part of Windows 10, it updates regularly without the need to manually carry out the update or pay for additional subscriptions. We advise against any third party anti-virus software such as McAfee, Norton, Kaspersky, Trend Micro or even AVG and Avast. Windows Defender provides robust and complete device protection for student users.
What filtering will be provided when students connect their own device/s?
The standard filter which is currently provided on the school network will apply to student owned devices as long as they connect to the school network in line with the Acceptable Use Policy. When at home school filters do not apply and as such we recommend the use of Family Zone software.
What is the policy for charging personally owned devices at school?
Personal devices should be fully charged each night. This will ensure the device has enough battery life to last the school day. There is a charging station in the library with spare chargers for the laptops purchased from our portals. Students needing to charge their devices, will be expected to do this only during lunchtimes.
What accessories are recommended?
We strongly recommend devices are carried in a good quality case and that students have a school bag which is suitable for transporting the device safely.