It's always good to ask questions, it's how we learn, right? Here are questions we've been asked about the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) roll out; if you have a question and it isn't among these, please get in touch with the school - no doubt if you are wondering, then other parents will benefit from the same information!
If the apps and tools are online, why do the students need to bring their own device?
The Minister for Education has signed an agreement with Google, and has directed all ACT schools to teach a specific set of tools to access a learning environment on the internet. As part of this teaching with new technology, the ACT Dept. of Education and Training have developed a policy where each student will be required to bring their own devices to school. The idea being that, with their own equipment and accessibility to their learning environment, students will progress their learning journey more seamlessly from Primary, to High School, and to College. The other idea behind this change in policy is so that students will have access to their learning environment anywhere and at any time as long as they have access to the internet. Students will also have the ability to submit their work and obtain feedback from their teachers more readily, through this system.
What will happen if a child forgets to bring their device on a particular day?
Students are responsible for bringing the required equipment to school each day bringing their equipment should become part of their daily school preparations like ensuring they bring their own books and pens to school. If a student does forget their device, they may be able to access a school device if there are any available on the day. If no devices are available, the teacher will set alternative work for the lesson so they can participate. Most likely, this will mean enabling the students to participate using paper and pens.
What will happen if a child can't bring a device at all?
Students will be able to lease a Chromebook. If your child requires this service, the school will be charging a non-refundable deposit of $50 for the year which will be used toward covering the costs of maintaining this equipment.
My child already has an iPad, are these compatible with the BYOD system? There are some rumors that iPads don't 'connect' or perform well with the system used.
iPad is not an ideal device for the school setting, some of the iPad versions of the apps and tools also don't have the full functionality that their Windows or Chromebook counterparts have. Although a Windows enabled laptop can be used, Chromebook are the preferred device for schools.
Phew! Hope this post answers your questions too...but if it doesn't, please get them to us in an email and we'll do our very best to help you!