Kuluin Digital Learning Hub
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BYOD 2024
Bring your own device (BYOD) means students bring their own laptop to school, for the purposes of learning. The BYOD model provides choice and flexibility for our students. This is an exciting opportunity for students, and we look forward to the many possibilities this model will bring.
This edition of the Kuluin Digital Learning Hub will provide you with important information for beginning BYOD in 2024 as well as answer some of the questions you may have about this new approach to learning. We will also hear from other schools that are already working in the BYOD space.
Purchasing a device.
Which device do I invest in?
Parents can choose from the wide range of devices offered in the retail marketplace. Please ensure you look at the 'Bring your own device specs' below before purchasing.
You could choose a device from any of the popular BYOD retailers including Officeworks (See information below), JB HI-FI, Good Guys or Joyce Mayne to name a few. It is extremely important that when purchasing a device, you also choose extended warranties and insurance. This ensures your device will be covered for 3 years from time of purchase. You can check this out online before visiting the store.
We do recommend that you compare prices between stores and online.
When to purchase a device.
We strongly encourage parents to purchase laptop devices towards the end of the year. From October onwards would be the earliest we would encourage. This ensures a three-year insurance lifespan on the device. Officeworks is an example of this type of cover which offers 'Extra " after the warranty of the laptop. You can also cover laptops in accidental damage insurance in your own home insurance. Please see our specs above.
Chromebooks are not supported.
Chromebooks are a very simplified version of a laptops. Typically, Chromebooks only have a very small amount of local storage available. This means that you’re able to save a few images on the device itself, but not much more. You are able to save things to places like Google Docs and Google Drive, however these are not supported by EQ and they will not be able to access their docs here at school.
When the kids enter year 5 and 6 they start to learn coding through programs such as Kodu. This requires them to download the program onto their device. This is not possible on a Chromebook or an Ipad. Sometimes Apple offer the coding programs via an app, but they almost always come at a cost. Also, many printers are also not compatible with chromebooks. Finally, there aren’t any video or photo editing software available on Chromebooks. The children are often involved with Media arts projects where they need video and photo for their work and assessments.
You might also want to consider which high school your child will go to. Maroochydore High use laptops. The skills they develop over three years on Windows devices are very advantageous as they enter high school.
BYOD Charter Agreement
Before students can use their own device at school, all students and parents must read and sign a charter. The charter outlines the responsibilities of using a device at school. Please read this with your child to discuss their responsibilities in bringing a device to school. This will need to be handed in to the office before using a device in the classroom. You can find a copy of the charter in the Kuluin BYOD Handbook below or on our website.
Kuluin BYOD Handbook
The Kuluin BYOD Handbook has everything you need to know about beginning BYOD at Kuluin, from laptop specifications, school charter agreement, third party website permissions as well as links to our student code of conduct. Please take the time to read this guide attached below or on our website.
Frequently asked questions...
Why has the school decided to embark on this new technology requirement?
Devices themselves don’t change education, but if used as part of the learning process, research has shown that they can help to create a school environment that more fully engages students, fosters creativity and self-led learning, and enhances collaboration.
How can 1-to-1 devices improve learning?
It can be difficult to prove causality in a complex system such as education (think of all the factors that affect student performance). Here’s what we do know. Because of BYOD and other eLearning initiatives:
- Students have greater access to real-time information, digital learning resources, educational software and collaborative work spaces, students experience higher levels of motivation and engagement in their learning.
- Students have access to their course materials and instruction anywhere and anytime
- Staff members are gaining efficiencies which allows them to provide more (and valuable) feedback to their students
- Students are gaining valuable real world experiences that will help them perform well in the 21st century.
Taken as a whole, we believe BYOD has a positive effect on student performance.
Will the school teach digital safety?
The school’s role also extends to that of educating students to become safe, ethical and responsible digital citizens. This requires ongoing programs for the staff, students and the parent community. Parents and caregivers should feel empowered to become involved in their child’s online world, instilling their values of how to behave and how to share and connect in a safe and responsible manner. Such regular school-to-parent communications, alongside increased parental access to their child’s learning, can encourage parents to become more engaged and potentially lead to benefits in terms of student achievement.
What if we are unable to participate in the program due to financial reasons?
The school will have an equity pool of laptops available in classes for students to use while they are at school. These laptops would be shared between students.
Will I need to bring the device to school every day?
Yes. Laptops are essential tools in each classroom.
We already have a device at home; can it be used at school?
Yes, if the device meets the minimum hardware and software minimum specifications and the battery will last at least 5 hours.
Will the school assist me with network connection settings at school?
Yes. Students will be provided with support from our IT Team and to connect to the school’s network. Please be aware that some security such as Norton family will interfere with our school network. Nortons Family account should be disabled while at school. Education Queensland provides filtering through the school network.
Can my child access inappropriate content at school on their device?
Education Queensland provides filtering through the school network which ensures all inappropriate content is blocked.
Do I need to purchase Microsoft Office for use on my child’s device?
No, Office 365 package, which includes Word, Excel and OneNote (sometimes referred to as the Microsoft Office Suite), is FREE for students enrolled in an Education Queensland school.
Screen-time concerns and questions...
What is the school's view on an acceptable amount of screen-time per day?
For children/young people aged 5-17 years it is recommended to limit sedentary recreational screen time to no more than 2 hours per day.
ALL SCREEN TIME IS NOT EQUAL
Ask yourself what you are doing on your computers, smartphones or other screens. A teen who FaceTimes with her grandparents or does homework online for an hour is having a very different experience than someone who sits alone and watches an action movie or plays Fortnite for that hour.
What are the national guidelines for screen time?
The Australian Family Institute of Family Studies Guidelines for screen time can be found in the Australian 24-hour movement guidelines for the early years (birth through to five years) and children and young people (5–17 years) (introduced in 2018). These guidelines were developed from systematic reviews of the evidence about the effects of physical activity, sleep and sedentary time (including screen time) on children’s development, health and wellbeing. For screen time, the guidelines recommended:
- no more than two hours of sedentary recreational screen time per day for children and young people aged 5–17 years (not including schoolwork).
How much time will my child spend using their device each day?
The 1-to-1 device will complement the existing school curriculum by providing appropriate digital learning tools in balance with more traditional learning tools. The goals of the curriculum are supported, not changed by the use of 1-to-1 devices. Students will use 1-to-1 devices where they serve a purpose, for instance, in research, data analysis and generating presentations.
Literacy and Numeracy form the foundation of all Kuluin classroom instruction and teachers will continue to balance more traditional methods such as reading from books, writing in workbooks and the teaching of handwriting with the use of devices.
Devices become a tool amongst many at the disposal of the teacher and students throughout the day. With any learning experience, the teacher is best placed to decide which tool will be most effective in meeting the intended learning outcome. Computers are not intended to be a replacement for any of the more conventional tools teachers have at their disposal. It is the school's belief that any well-rounded approach to education involves balanced access to a variety of tools. Devices simply increase the number of tools at the teacher's disposal and are only used when they are the best tool for the job.
OOPS!
Is my child in year 4 too young to have the responsibility for looking after a personal laptop?
Parents are encouraged to purchase a hard case for the laptop to protect it when it is in student bags. Teachers will continually remind students of responsible behaviours around looking after their device. Classrooms will be locked during breaktimes or when teachers are out of the rooms.
What about insurance?
Laptops in the hands of children are a concern for many parents. It is vital therefore to ensure a fast turnaround for repairs when the need arises. We highly recommend adding ADP (accidental damage protection) insurance and NBD (next business day) on-site warranty if possible. You may also have the option of adding the device to your home and contents insurance policy. At the very least, we recommend a return-to-store, 3 year warranty on any new technology purchase. This will cover the device for primary school.
Comments from other schools working in the BYOD space...
WOOMBYE STATE SCHOOL
Woombye State School has participated in a ‘Bring Your Own Device’ (BYOD) program since 2015 when our year 5 classes ran one of the first trials of BYOD on the Sunshine Coast. Since then it has grown to include grades 4-6 and is continually evolving with new programs, pedagogy and increasingly exciting ways to engage our students here at Woombye.
Through the support of BYOD, students have shown engagement in learning beyond all expectation. The balance of ‘learner control’ has had a complete shift from the teacher to the student, with the students self-directing their way through the curriculum.
Students of BYOD are active, highly motivated learners who share, discuss and teach new skills to their peers. With a huge focus on collaboration, problem solving and inquiry in our BYOD classrooms, we feel our students are learning skills not only for school but for life.
Jodie Chapman
Woombye State School
BYOD since 2015
Pacific Paradise State School BYOD since 2017
PACIFIC PARADISE STATE SCHOOL
We both value BYOD as it improves the obvious skills of IT but most importantly we have noticed a general improvement in reading skills.
The payoff with BYOD is the actual day to day teaching is much less stressful and the students can access their learning beyond the classroom (great for kids who are sick, on holidays etc). It also helps with behaviour management as students do not have to wait for the teacher but can move through activities at their own pace ie. if a student needs to revise a concept they can and other students can extend themselves.
We could not teach any other way and it would be unfortunate for students not to be given the opportunity to learn this way.
Caroline Kelly & Kelly Gaffney
Pacific Paradise State School
Let's hear from the kids...
"My typing skills are much better."
"I can complete work at home that I missed in class."
"My research skills are much better."
"I can use my laptop in group work and when working by myself."
"I can work ahead and not have to always wait for the teacher or the other kids."
"I can show Mum and Dad the work we did in class that day."
"I can email my teacher if I have a problem."
Maroochydore State High School
‘Digital literacy is a key component of high school education. Maroochydore State High School is a fully inclusive BYOx school. All students in our school have their own device that they use daily as part of their learning and assessment tasks. We have found that students who have previously engaged in BYOx at primary school have a greater capability of using their laptop at high school, thus supporting a seamless transition to high school. Those students who have not had such an experience take time to train and catch up to peers who have.’
AARON WILLIS DEPUTY PRINCIPAL (JUNIOR SECONDARY)
MAROOCHYDORE STATE HIGH SCHOOL
Thank You
Thank you for your positive feedback and support. We are so excited for our Year 4-6 classes. Our teachers are excitedly preparing and looking forward to welcoming students in 2024.
Contacts
Any questions or concerns please contact the staff below or make a time to visit one of our year 4 BYOD classes to see it in action.
schap64@eq.edu.au - Shane Chapman IT Support
jthom858@eq.edu.au - Jessica Thompson - Pedagogical Coach
bdowd4@eq.edu.au - Brett Dowdell - Deputy Principal