Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Q: What is BYOD?
A: BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Device. This means the device is owned by the student and goes home with them at the end of the day. BYOD allows for anytime, anywhere learning. Many of the students in our school community already own devices and many have come into Hagley from primary and intermediate schools where they have been part of a BYOD arrangement.
Q: Does my child have to have their own device?
A: We highly recommend this approach as personal ownership allows for anytime, anywhere study. College-owned computers will still be available for students to use in computer rooms and the library. For those students without a personally owned device, the College has available daily loan laptops so that no student is disadvantaged.
Q: Do I have to purchase a new device?
A: No. If you already have a device that meets the minimum specifications, your child may use it as their BYOD device.
Q: What are the capabilities a device should have?
A: General specifications based on our experience of using devices in learning and on current research and experience:
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- A full laptop is better than a Tablet device
- A laptop with a touch screen and digital pen is best
- Tablets such as iPads are ok (but not best) and need a separate (not onscreen) keyboard and to be running iOS 11 or above (see note below about smaller screens)
- A screen size above 10” is better
- 13” screens usually offer a balance of usability and portability
- Very small screens (cell phones, iPad Minis or similar) are not suitable as the primary BYOD device
- A Windows operating system (Windows 10) or Mac OSX operating system (OSX 10.13 or above) are considered the most appropriate
- A battery that should last at least 5 hours to get through the school day without needing to recharge
- All students get free access to Microsoft Office 365 and are able to install a full copy of Microsoft Office on up to five home PCs or Macs and on other mobile devices, including Android, iPad, and Windows Tablets. Thus, there is no need to purchase a Microsoft Office package.
- It is unnecessary to purchase additional anti-malware for Windows 10 devices. The built-in protection for laptops running Windows 10 has, thus far, proven to be suitable.
Our network is based on industry-standard Wi-Fi, a fast internet connection via fibre and high-end internet filtering for student safety.
Q: What other factors should be considered?
A: The device should be robust and durable enough to handle school life, but light enough to be carried easily by a teenager. A suitable bag for protecting and carrying the device is essential.
Q: Why can’t my child use a smartphone as their primary device?
A: While smartphones are great as a communication tool, for short internet searches, and are wonderful for taking photos or video, their small screen and tiny keyboard size means their usefulness otherwise is very limited in a classroom setting.
Q: What will the device do? How will it be used in the classroom?
A: The device will be used to enhance learning opportunities through accessing a wide range of learning resources. It will assist us to provide more individualised learning. Access to the internet will be safe using the Hagley system which is closely monitored and tightly filtered. Different teachers and different learning areas will use digital technology in various ways. Please be assured students will not be on screens all day, every day; there will still be face-to-face teaching and learning approaches used.
Q: Will I need to have internet access at home?
A: No, but it is helpful if you do have access to the internet, as this enables your child access to their work and learning resources online, and supports the College’s aim of anytime/anywhere learning. If a student needs to make use of free Wi-Fi out in the community, please be aware that these connections may not provide the necessary filters we have on our school network.
Q: What about the security of the device at school?
A: The safekeeping and security of the device rests with the student. The device should be covered by your home contents insurance – please check with your insurer to see what level of cover is provided. Students will need to know where their device is at all times and should not leave it unattended. Lockers are available for students to use. During PE, classes’ devices will be kept in a secure space if they are not being used. Arrangements will be made for the secure storage of student devices for those involved in after school sport. The school cannot be responsible for lost, stolen or damaged devices.
Q: Can my child get help from the teacher in learning how to use the device?
A: The teacher may be able to help students with basic usage, but this should not be an expectation of all teachers. Students will need to be confident in using their device and the apps and programmes on it.
Q: Who will be responsible for trouble-shooting and fixing student devices?
A: Our ICT Services Team will assist students with connecting to the College’s Wi-Fi network. They will not provide other technical assistance.
Q: What about online safety and cyberbullying?
A: Hagley students accept and sign the conditions of the school’s Digital Citizenship Agreement upon enrolment. This agreement covers students using BYOD and can be viewed on the Hagley website.
The College regards cyberbullying as a serious breach of the College rules and it is dealt with as a serious discipline matter.
If you are choosing a new laptop (or want to check whether the specifications of your current laptop are ok) the below gives a minimum technical specification and some examples of devices that would fit that minimum specification.
The example laptops are devices that Hagley College has experience with and, in most cases, have been used before successfully in the classroom:
Good
Specification:
- >10” screen
- 4GB of RAM (memory)
- 64GB of SSD (Solid State Storage)
- Wi-Fi enabled to standards 802.11 a/c (most modern devices are 802.11 a/c capable)
- At least 1 USB port
Example laptop:
The HP Stream Pro G4
Expect to pay (approx):
$450-$650
Better
Specification:
- 10-13” screen, possibly Touch with stylus
- 4-8GB RAM (memory)
- >64GB of SSD (Solid State Storage)
- Wi-Fi enabled to standards 802.11 a/c
- 1-3 USB ports
Example laptop:
HP ProBook x360 11 G1
Expect to pay (approx):
$650-$1000
Best
Specification:
- 13-15” Touchscreen probably with stylus
- 8GB RAM (memory)
- >128 GB SSD (Solid State Storage)
- Wi-Fi enabled to standards 802.11 a/c with 2×2
- 1-3 USB ports one of which is USB 3
Example laptops:
HP Probook 430 G5, Acer Spin 5 (Touchscreen)
Expect to pay (approx):
In excess of $1100
Most of the above example laptops are available from www.cylone.co.nz (click ‘Shop’ then ‘BYOD’ choose ‘Hagley College’ and enter the code hcbyod ). They are also widely available from retail computer stores but the included warranty period is likely to be less. Note that these are example devices and there are many devices available that meet the minimum specifications in the information above.
Hagley College Digital Citizenship Agreement
