Bring your own device

Students at Fort Street High School are able to bring their own computing device to school. This allows for richer learning experiences across all subjects. It also enables teaching staff use technology to immerse students in real world examples on a daily basis.

Introduction

Fort Street High School has adopted a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) approach to allow student use of personal electronic devices at school.

The term “device” refers to any brand laptop or tablet owned by the student, and which has the capability of connecting to the department’s Wi-Fi network.  Students are not allowed to use a mobile phone as their primary school device for classroom use. The school policy on phones is “off and away”- phones are turned off and placed in bags during school hours

What device should you bring to school?

Students should bring an affordable laptop that meets the list of minumum requirements in the checklist below. It is also recommended that students have a protective case for their device as they are responsible for their own equipment.

What things should you look for in a device for learning?

Our recommended specifications are developed from the requirements of devices to use for NAPLAN Online. The department’s Wi-Fi network installed in high schools operates on the 802.11n 5Ghz standard. Devices that do not support this standard will not be able to connect.

The device should be:

• Laptop or a 2 in 1 device.
• Battery Life of 6+ hours.
• Light weight, under 1.5 kg
• Larger than 11" screen.
• Dual Band Wi-Fi with a/g/b/n.

Other preferred requirements:

• Not an iPad or Android Tablet. We have found that these devices lack the functionality for the classroom.
• Screen resolution of at least 1024x768
• Ability to connect earphones/head phones, NOT wireless
• Physical keyboard.
• Mouse or other pointing device.
• (For Windows Devices - minimums) Windows, 8 GB RAM, 1Ghz processor, 256 GB of free hard drive space.
• (For Mac Devices - minimums) OS X 10.9* 8 GB RAM, 1Ghz processor, 256 GB of free hard drive space.

For further assistance, please send any questions via email

fortstreet-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Access to the department’s Wi-Fi network and resources

Internet access through the department’s Wi-Fi network will be provided on departmental sites at no cost to students who are enrolled in NSW public schools.

Acceptable use of devices

The principal will retain the right to determine what is, and is not, appropriate use of devices at the school within the bounds of the department’s policies and NSW privacy and other legislation.

• Students must comply with departmental and school policies concerning the use of devices at school.

• Students must not create, transmit, retransmit or participate in the circulation of content that attempts to bypass any software security mechanisms implemented by the department, its Information Technology Directorate or the school.
• Students must not copy, transmit or retransmit any material that is protected by copyright, without prior permission from the copyright owner.
• Students must not take photos or make video or audio recordings of any individual or group without the express written permission of each individual being and the permission of an appropriate supervising staff member.
• Students must not use the department’s network services to seek out, access, store or send any material of an offensive, obscene, pornographic, threatening, abusive or defamatory nature. Such use may result in disciplinary and/or legal action.
• Students and their parents or carers are advised that activity on the internet is recorded and that these records may be used in investigations, court proceedings or for other legal reasons.

Where a teacher has reasonable grounds to suspect that a device is being used contrary to these guidelines, the staff member may confiscate the device to be returned at the end of the lesson, at the end of the school day, or for parents to collect from the school.

The consequences of any breaches of the school’s BYOD policy will be determined by the Principal in accordance with relevant Department policies. Depending on the nature of the breach, school disciplinary action may be appropriate, or in extreme circumstances referral to the police.

Need help with your device?

Our friendly office team can help you get in touch.

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