BYOD

The Ministry of Education informed New Zealand educators that: Digital devices have the potential to expand and enhance interaction in the classroom, enable more real-world activities, improve learning environments, and engage students in new and exciting ways. Opportunities for collaboration and problem-solving are expanded beyond the classroom in an online environment.

A learner-centred curriculum that includes 1:1 digital devices supports greater flexibility in learning pathways, empowering students to learn in a more personalised way with increased control over their own learning. This can help students engage more deeply in their learning and lift their achievement. (MOE, 2015c, n.p) Digital technologies are increasingly being used in educational settings and are impacting teaching and learning practices on a global scale (Innovative Teaching and Learning (ITL) Research, n.d.; Johnson, Adams Becker, Estrada & Freeman, 2015; MOE, 2014).

Primary schools in New Zealand have also been progressively adopting the use of digital technologies in classrooms over the past two decades (MOE, 2014; MOE, 2015a), and developing strategies that enable students to bring and use their own digital devices in school settings.

WHY BYOD?

BYOD - Bring Your Own Device has been the ideal system to enable schools and their students to meet the digital expectations within our curriculum and our rapidly changing world. Many schools that have been BYOD are now shifting to an improved, more cohesive system of Choose Your Own Device, this means that parents and whånau choose a suitable device from the preferred/recommended devices listed for their school. This is where we are currently shifting to at HPS as we are currently a BYOD school.

As we know, devices are the learning tools of the 21st century. They are portable, multifunctional and have the ability to open up new and different ways of learning. A major benefit of a device is that students can easily take photos or videos to support or reflect on their learning. Devices turn on quickly, are simple for students to operate and have a long battery life.

Using devices supports our students to meet the expectations of the New Zealand curriculum for connected global citizens and the key competencies of managing self, participating and contributing, relating to others others, thinking and using language symbols and text.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BYOD?

  • Your child can access their learning anytime, anywhere, which means that their learning opportunities are not confined to school hours.

  • Enables the opportunity to provide personalised learning in a manageable way.

  • Allows collaboration with both student to student and student to teacher.

  • BYOD allows students to learn in a way that is more consistent with the world we now live in. They can engage in creative, collaborative learning aided by the technology they bring. Information can be easily accessed and then presented in a variety of ways.

  • Engages, motivates and inspires learning.

  • Provides opportunities to take leaning to a higher level.

  • Enables teachers to create more learning time by making the most of every learning minute, with learning tasks available immediately, reducing time waiting for instructions and handing out sheets.

  • Provides a greater opportunity for authentic learning with a real audience to share with.


Google Apps for Education (GAFE) will be our main content tool - over 20 million students are using GAFE worldwide.

Teachers will be following the SAMR model, with the goal of not substituting technology for pen and paper, but rather enabling our students to select the best tool to meet their needs as learners, in all aspects of their learning.

Teachers will be working towards more of a Flipped Classroom where teaching sessions can be ‘Paused, Rewinded and Repeated’ - anywhere, anytime.

A workshop approach where teachers work with small groups of students while other students work with some level of independence on learning tasks based on their needs from a selection of teacher ‘must do’s’ and ‘can do’s’.

WHY HAVE WE CHOSEN TO GO WITH IPADS (AND NOT IPAD MINIS) Mac Books and Chrome books?

iPads are the dominant tablet in the education sector. This means that the number of educational apps available through the App Store is significantly higher than for Android devices. The amount of professional knowledge, advice and support available to teachers is also much higher for iPads (Apple Teacher capabilities)than other devices. Apple also has proven software that makes management of multiple devices at school easy to administer for schools. We will also (for 2021) accept students bringing a Chromebook as their preferred tool. Whilst there are some compatibility with app use and Chrome as a search engine, the system functions differently to Apple products and can take some getting used to!

Our staff, systems and management is also based around the use of Apple technology, and it makes for a much smoother process if the school is using the same platform for learning. Apple are world renowned and trusted innovators, why wouldn't we want to be part of that!

WHY CAN’T I BRING IN OTHER DEVICES?

Our teachers are developing their proficiency in the use and support of iPads, as these are the devices we have in our school. If a range of other devices are brought into the school teachers may not be able to provide assistance with them and it could distract from our focus on learning. If all students have the same device then teachers can be confident they have access to the same apps, as not all apps are available across multiple platforms. The only exception is for Year 7/8 students, where we have identified a number of local High Schools are adopting chrome books as well as other laptop types. The Year 7/8 programme has a heavy use of Google apps, which is a web-based system and works well on both MacBooks and Chromebooks. By allowing Year 7/8 students in particular to have the option of bringing chrome books, we are assisting in the transition to these High Schools.

The list of acceptable devices at school does not include iPhones, iPods iWatches or similar music or android devices. Mobile Phones are not permitted for students to use at school and must be handed into the office to be collected at the end of the day.

HOW WILL THE DEVICES BE KEPT SECURE AT SCHOOL?

We will provide storage in each studio but ultimately the device is the responsibility of the student. You will need to check with your insurance provider to see whether you are covered for loss or damage to the device.

WHAT APPS WILL WE NEED TO HAVE?

If your child brings an iPad or MacBook to school they will need to make sure they have the set of educational apps that have been carefully selected for their learning. You will only need to purchase one set of apps per family as Apple allows you to share apps among your household’s devices, (See Apps), and we are conscious to keep this list as cost effective as possible. Many of the apps we will be using are free and/or come as part of your set up on your Apple product.

WILL MY CHILD BE DISADVANTAGED IF WE CAN’T AFFORD TO BUY A DEVICE?

NO - There are school iPads and Chrome books in every Year 4-8 studio that students without their own devices will have access to. With BYOD bringing more iPads and laptops into each studio means every student will benefit by having greater access to the tools they choose for their learning.

WILL MY CHILD BE ASKED TO SHARE THEIR DEVICE WITH OTHERS?

Students’ iPads and Computers are for their own use, however they may be asked to share their device when they are involved in group work, collaborative tasks, under their teacher’s supervision. This is most likely to be for creating a movie, taking photos or sharing their screen so that others in their group can also view the learning task.

HOW WILL MY CHILD BE KEPT SAFE WHEN USING THE INTERNET?

We have a secure network that filters websites and can track the history of any user. We also receive reports of any attempts to break our filtering, which we will follow-up on where appropriate. There will be no 3G access for students’ iPads and the school Wi-Fi has filters on it to block unsuitable content.

No filtering can ever be guaranteed to be 100%, so we will combine our filtering programme with a school-wide digital citizenship programme where teacher-led cyber safety sessions teaches our students how to be good digital citizens and how to be safe when using the internet.

Teachers will also be able to use tools which allow for real time monitoring of what a user is currently looking at on their screen.

There will also be a User Agreement that students and parents will be expected to sign before a device is brought to school (see here).

HOW CAN I ENSURE MY CHILD IS SAFE AT HOME ON THEIR DEVICE?

All research states that web capable devices that students use should only be used under adult supervision and definitely not out of sight (i.e. in a closed bedroom). Sticking to this rule will elevate most potential problems. Settings on devices can also be changed to support the safe use of devices.

Apple recommend using Restrictions to keep iPads safe - http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201304.

You can also set parental controls through iTunes as outlined here http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201659

WILL MY CHILD BE STARING AT A SCREEN ALL DAY?

Although we are integrating the use of digital tools into our learning more, this does not mean that your child will be fixed to a screen! Students will still work in small groups with their teachers, work in groups with their peers, use other ‘hands on’ learning and will definitely be writing in their exercise books! They will still be doing things like handwriting, drawing, painting, running, throwing and communicating.

We do not want to substitute books for a computer, rather we want to leverage the benefits of devices using the SAMR model. Device skills will be taught and their use will be scaffolded so that they support or enhance learning. The device is a tool which will be used when appropriate as we create a balanced learning programme and curriculum delivery. Teachers will ensure that they design learning that do not involve long periods of time in front of a screen.

CAN DEVICES STAY AT SCHOOL?

We ask that students charge their devices at home and that chargers should never be sent to school because of the high risk of them getting misplaced. If a student has a genuine reason to leave their device at school occasionally, they can negotiate that with their studio teachers who will ensure the device will be secure and charged for the next day. We believe that one of the benefits of BYOD is that students can take their devices home and continue or share their learning with parents and whānau. Sometimes learning at home enables some of our students to focus and complete more of their learning tasks. They can review any videos or teacher prompts at their own pace.

We recommend that you buy a set of headphones with a band and the ability to restrict the volume.

We would also recommend that you buy a strong protective bag/ case and screen cover for your child's device.

HOW WILL STUDENTS TRANSITION TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH THIS DEVICE?

We will continue to liaise with our local High Schools and the various High Schools of choice for our students. Most are using Google Apps for Education in their teaching and learning programmes, which means that MacBooks and Chrome books are the perfect companion devices.

HOW DO I INSURE MY DEVICE?

Please contact your insurance company to arrange policy cover for the device at school. When your child is not in class a locked cupboard or room will be provided for your child to secure their device in. Students do not access the studios during break times without a teacher present, so studios are closed during these times.

HPS BYOD Agreement.pdf