MPS BYOD Student ICT Agreement
What is BYOD?
Bring your own device (BYOD) refers to a model of technology use where students bring a personally owned device (LAPTOP device) to school for the purpose of learning.
A BYOD program intends to overhaul the way students learn and necessitates the education of many more skills to create a community of students who are digitally literate and cyber aware. The reality is that web-based tools and resources have changed the landscape of learning. Students now have at their fingertips unlimited access to digital content, resources, experts, databases, and communities of interest.
Rationale
Merewether Public School has a vision for learning that fosters deep learning, encourages critical thinking and creativity, and provides a foundation for authentic learning. The current model of school-supplied technology resources in education is no longer a model that is feasible and cannot realistically meet the demands of teachers and 21st-century learners. MPS values the wealth of learning experiences that come with improved integration and interactions with current technology.
As a school, we continue to enhance the way we use digital technologies to enrich the teaching and learning environment for both teachers and students. This involves the development and use of ‘virtual’ or ‘flexible’ learning environments, which extend the classroom experience beyond the physical space of the school. In order to have a successful Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program, we need to ensure that all students have compatible devices that align with the school's infrastructure and the learning and teaching environments.
By facilitating BYOD, Merewether Public School will empower students and allow them to be active in determining the way they use technology to support their learning. They will develop a sense of digital citizenship and demonstrate increased awareness of how technology is conducive to authentic learning and the application of skills that are essential to succeed in today's technology-based society. Increased access to technology further allows students to collaborate, communicate and share more openly with teachers and their peers.
There is a clear disparity between school funding for technology and the expectations of a society that demands innovation. A successful BYOD program helps to bridge the gap between funding and real-world expectations.
In 2021, MPS is offering a trial BYOD arrangement made available to Years 5 and 6 students. The BYOD model may be further extended in successive years, subject to the effectiveness of the trial, community interest, and feasibility. 2021 will be a trial year at MPS to prepare for the expansion of the program.
What to expect?
We're very excited to implement the trial BYOD program (Year 5 and 6 students only) for the first time at MPS this year. With the beginning of the school year fast approaching, you may have some questions and or queries regarding whether or not to opt into the program.
The BYOD Program aims to support the learning across all subject areas further, as well as increase the number of devices we have to use in upper primary classes; with possible expansion of the program to other classes down the track. The implementation of this program does not specifically mean an increase in time spent on devices and will be used in conjunction with learning programs currently in place at school. All curriculum content will be covered, as per normal.
Due to an influx of schools implementing BYOD programs with JBHiFi, they have underestimated the time frame to get our portal up and running. This process has taken much longer than anticipated. A notice will be made as soon as the MPS Portal becomes available—sincere apologies for the delay and any inconvenience.
In the interim, please refer to the Laptop Options attachment provided where you will find a selection of recommended laptops and a carry bag that would be suitable for school use. You are not required, nor limited to, purchase from this selection. Please note: These selections are also suitable for High School Use, and specifications have been cross-checked to meet our feeder high school's minimum requirements.
Should you want to actively seek out a device of your own, you will find a list of the specifications required on page 5 of the BYOD Policy. Most new devices are equipped with all the specifications required for school use. Older devices may need to adhere more closely to the specifications.
We understand that not everyone will be in a financial position to purchase a new laptop for their child. If you currently have a laptop at home and are unsure if it will be compatible for school use, please feel free to reach out to Katerina.razmovski@det.nsw.edu.au. The program's implementation should see more school-owned devices become available to share out to students and or classes who need them.
Even though this is a trial and an optional, school-driven program; endorsed by the Department of Education, we understand that implementing a BYOD program is a huge step for parents and students and should be carefully considered.
While there are many benefits to bringing a device to school and or purchasing one for your child to use at home, we are aware of the presenting health, physical & social factors that can arise with technology use. We aim to continue actively teaching and promoting good technology habits to minimise and prevent such factors.
Such considerations include:
* The use and or purchase of a hand-carry laptop case (refer to attachment) to more evenly distribute weight and potentially relieve additional strain when carrying devices to and from school. Please note: Devices will be required to be taken home at the end of the day for security reasons and continue learning at home.
* If opting to purchase a laptop, please be mindful of the anti-glare options available (refer to attachment). Alternatively, frequent breaks and natural light exposure is known to be protective against the effects of Myopia or nearsightedness in children (Read et al., 2018). At MPS, our school programs factor in 20min rotations or blocks with frequent brain breaks and opportunities for walks/exercise during school hours. TIP: At home, opt for a well-lit environment with natural light and position your child's work desk/laptop perpendicular to a window. Furthermore, use a timer to monitor screen time and limit to 20min sessions. Encourage walks and outdoor activities, when appropriate.
* Neutral head and sitting posture when using a laptop device is important to reduce shoulder, neck, and back strain (Lee, Lee & Chung, 2017). Our chairs are ergonomically designed for school use and provide adequate support for students when working at their desks. Appropriate seating and typing posture when writing and typing is taught in class as part of the curriculum. TIP: When your child is working on a laptop at home, ensure they are seated right back into their chair, feet flat on the floor, and looking straight ahead in a neutral head position.
* We expect appropriate use of technology at all times. As outlined in the BYOD Policy, laptops are primarily used as a learning tool. At school, we use various platforms, such as Google Docs, that allow teachers to check students' work in 'real-time' (while they are typing). These platforms allow teachers to monitor device usage, provide timely feedback, and ensure that work is completed and submitted. TIP: Students may be asked to complete collaborative online homework tasks at home using various platforms. You can easily view what and how much work your child has completed.
* Any form of online bullying or socially inappropriate behaviour, as outlined in the BYOD Policy, will be taken very seriously. Standard procedures and action will follow immediately. Ongoing lessons on Anti-Bullying, CyberBullying, and Online Safety & Etiquette will continue to be covered during Whole School PBL Lessons and in class. Please discuss the expectations and importance of acting appropriately online prior to participating in the BYOD Program.
Please note: While the BYOD program will commence from Term 1 2021, you may choose to opt into the program at any point in the year. Similarly, you may also choose to opt-out of the program at any time. We advise that the BYOD ICT Policy Agreement (found in your BYOD Policy Pack sent home last year) must be read, discussed, signed, and returned to the office before bringing devices in for school use. This trust-based agreement ensures that rules and expectations are effectively communicated to all parties, i.e., school, parents, and students.
What do I need to do to opt into the trial BYOD program?
•Read through the MPS BYOD Policy
•Submit the Acceptable Use of ICT (Information Communication & Technology) Student Agreement prior to bringing the device in for school use.
•Bring a device from home that aligns with the specifications provided in the policy OR select a device from the options provided by JBHiFi
Carefully read the MPS BYOD Policy and Acceptable Use of ICT Student Agreement.
Complete the Acceptable Use of ICT Student Agreement with your child and return to the office in 2021.
Please note: An Acceptable Use of ICT Student Agreement must be signed and submitted before any device is brought to school for classroom use.
Please direct any further questions to BYOD Coordinator: Katerina.Razmovski@det.nsw.edu.au or simply place an enquiry via the BYOD Program Portal