Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

All students in years in years 4-8 are required to bring a device to school for digital learning. All students who use a device must sign a BYOD and digital use agreement.

Why BYOD ?

In a future focused learning environment, students need to be able to work digitally. Our local college is BYOD from year 9. Feedback from those students included that we as a school needed to teach them how to be able to self manage digitally, be a digitally safe citizen and to learn through a variety of digital mediums. In order to provide a balanced and purposeful education, students need to be digital capable. Students need to use technology confidently and safely, in a way that supports modern learning and helps them participate in the future of the workforce. BYOD increases the self management and responsibility of students, which we as a school will help build for life long connectedness. Whilst some believe these skills are for the future, the reality is they need these skills now. BYOD is expected to improve equity of access and inclusion through online resourcing, specific teacher guidance and feedback.

Digital Devices and your child.

Digital devices do not replace the teacher. It does not mean that your child will be sitting on a device throughout a school day. A digital device is a learning tool, a necessary learning tool.

At Glenbrook School digital devices are used to incorporate qualities of learning such as communication, self management, thinking, collaboration and future focused preparation. The use of online tools allows teachers to focus on individual needs which support, extend or accelerate within a whole class context. BYOD and digital learning can enhance and extend the ability to collaborate, communicate and be creative with all involved. This in turns spurs innovation, critical thinking and problem solving.

As a parent you are able to access what your child is learning and also give feedback. There is greater transparency with you about your child’s learning. The blended elearning approach by Glenbrook School takes into account the holistic nature and experiences of learning. It is developmental and is balanced with the importance of play, conversation, sport, music and the joys of being a kid, a country kid. Your child’s learning evidence can be saved and shared with the whole family.

What infrastructure has Glenbrook School put in place to support BYOD?

The Glenbrook Board of Trustees has funded a new network controller, Ruckus which has been installed. Sixteen wireless network points have also been installed. Security has been set up so that staff, students and visitors sign in to the wireless network. There are limits for each group.

Glenbrook School works in google docs. Teachers can view and track student digital behaviour and learning. Each student in years 3-8 is issued with a Glenbrook School gmail username and password.

Each student and their parent, is required to sign a BYOD contract and Digital Responsible Use Agreement. This outlines the roles and responsibilities of the student when using a device. Glenbrook School is guided by netsafe and digital policy.

Glenbrook School Board of Trustees has purchased storage units with ventilation and power supply. These can be locked and safely store devices when not being used at school, during the school day. Students are expected to take devices home each day and charge them at home.

Glenbrook School have the following computer specifications to use as a guideline when purchasing a device for school use.

All students in years 4-8 are encouraged to have a device that has:

Chromebook – minimum specifications

• CPU Family:Intel Celeron
• Memory Size:4GB Memory
• Screen Size:11.6 inches
• Screen Resolution:1366×768
• SSD Capacity:32 GB
• HDD Capacity:N/A
• GPU Model:Intel UHD Graphics 600
• Operating System:Chrome OS
• 6-8 hours battery life
• Headphones

Windows PC – Minimum specifications – Waiuku College Specifications 2020
* Windows version 10 64bit Education or Pro with update 1909 or higher,
* Minimum 12 inch screen.
* 6‐8 hours battery life.
* 8GB of RAM minimum.
* Internal solid state hard drive (SSD) 256GB or greater.
* We recommend Intel i5 6th Gen or higher processors , AMD A5 and above
* A laptop bag or sleeve and, if possible, a hard shell case.

All items are to be clearly named.