Braidwood Central School recognises the need to prepare our students for a rapidly changing technological world, where technology plays a growing role in our personal, social, and professional lives. Staff at Braidwood Central School are taking strides to integrate device use into all aspects of high school teaching. BYOD is an important step in ensuring all students are working with 21st century learning capabilities.
A BYOD policy -
- recognises that technology and choices about technology are very much personal.
- acknowledges technology in education means more than meeting specific curriculum requirements.
- is designed to give you, as students and families, freedom to make technology choices that suit you and all your circumstances.
To get started:
| What students need to do | What the school will provide |
| read the policies and procedures for bringing your own device | access to the wireless network for registered student devices |
| understand and continue to demonstrate knowledge of their responsibilities | access for students to download and use Microsoft and Adobe Software |
| ensure their devices are safe and secure at all times | guides to connect common devices to the wireless network |
| keep their devices safe using carry cases, screen guards, etc | authenticated, monitored, filtered internet access through the DEC network |
| use devices according to school and NSW DEC policies | limited loan Laptops for students who do not wish to bring their own device |
| read the policies and procedures for bringing your own device | support for teachers to use device-neutral activities to enhance learning in their areas |
| understand and continue to demonstrate knowledge of their responsibilities | access to Google Apps for collaborative learning on their portal under learning |
The following list contains recommended specifications for devices. Aim for a device that meets the minimum standards mentioned in the list:
Operating system:
- Microsoft Windows 7, 8.1, 10, or
- Apple Mac OSX 10.10 or later
Form Factor:
- Windows Laptop (preferred) or Apple MacBook
- A tablet device must have a physical keyboard available with separate keys for A – Z and 0 – 9. A separate Bluetooth device is sufficient to meet this requirement.
Wireless:
- If you intend to bring your device to school, it must have 5GHz 802.11n wireless support
- This may be advertised as “Dual Band Wireless”, “802.11abgn”, “802.11agn”, “802.11ac” or “gigabit wireless”
Memory:
- minimum 4GB RAM - but please note that if Adobe Creative Cloud software such as Photoshop is required for your subjects, then 8GB RAM or more is recommended
Extras to consider:
- webcam – either built in or external
- headset options
- at least one USB port
Software:
- Microsoft Office 365 – https://nsw-students.onthehub.com/WebStore/Welcome.aspx
- Adobe Creative Cloud (certain subjects only) – https://nsw-students.onthehub.com/WebStore/Welcome.aspx
BYOD Frequently Asked Questions:
What is BYOD?
Bring Your Own Device, or BYOD, is a technological trend in education and in the corporate world. BYOD recognises that technology and choices about technology are very much personal. BYOD acknowledges technology in education means more than meeting specific curriculum requirements. BYOD is designed to give you, as students and families, freedom to make technology choices that suit you and all your circumstances.
How does it work?
In 2021, students at Braidwood Central School are encouraged to bring their own computing device to school every day. We are making recommendations as to the model of device you may choose to bring. Or, if you have a strong technical background, there may be something of your own choosing that meets our Device Specification that you choose to bring.
A member of the school staff, the BYOD Technical Support Officer, is available to answer questions and to give assistance. However, the school does not manage, support, own or warranty the device - it is your device.
Is BYOD designed for all students?
Students at Braidwood Central School are welcome to bring their own device and use it as part of the learning in the classroom. As we push towards a more technology supported curriculum, we strongly encourage all students to bring a laptop to class to support their learning.
What type of device can we bring?
A range of devices in a range of price categories meet the Device Specifications listed above. We encourage parents/carers and students to carefully consider all available options for purchase and lease/rent-to-buy. Consider also that a good quality device could comfortably last four years. Additionally, it's possible you already own or use a device which meets the Device Specification, in which case just bring that.
I'm concerned about the costs
The purchase of a device is a major decision and a significant expense. But a good quality device may last from Year 9 to Year 12 and viewed over four years the expense is considerably less.
We are committed to our obligations as a public education institution to deliver the same learning outcomes to all our students no matter their families' financial means and to this end limited loan Laptops for students will be available. Please contact the school to discuss.
I'm concerned about device security
The school does not own the device, support the device or warranty for the device. Experience from the previous Commonwealth-funded Digital Education Revolution scheme indicates that students who took good care of their device and considered themselves the device's owner rarely had device security issues.
If you are concerned the device is going to be broken, lost or stolen, you may wish to consider specific accidental damage insurance for the device. You can specifically list the item on your home contents insurance, or you can purchase an Accidental Damage Protection plan for your device. Accidental Damage Protection is available as an option for many of our recommended devices.
Internet access on the device will be filtered at school and students will be prohibited from connecting to other networks while at school.
