Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) refers to the practice of students bringing their own laptops with them to school for use in learning. This type of activity has become common in workplaces and schools all over the globe. Student use of his or her own device for learning has proven to increase productivity, digital literacy and student engagement.
Hawkesbury High School will become a BYOD school from 2020.
To assist you in providing a suitable device for your child, please consult the minimum recommended specifications for BYOD in 2020.
The school has entered into an agreement with The School Locker to provide Student Advantage pricing for specified devices that meet the Specification Criteria. These devices can be viewed on https://theschoollocker.com.au/schools/hawkesbury-high-school/hawkesbury-high-school-technology.
Devices that meet Specification Criteria are also readily available through a range of retailers at competitive prices.
You may wish to refer to this YouTube video which includes some very good tips on purchasing a laptop. Please note that the school does not endorse any personal views or advertisements in the video.
All students enrolled at Hawkesbury High School will have free access to education versions of Microsoft Office 365 and Google G-Suite. In addition, students will have free access to cloud storage through OneDrive and Google Drive when they use their @education.nsw.gov.au accounts.
Students will be able to use their devices at school and at home to access learning resources, assignments, teacher feedback, class notes and submit work.
In many cases, students already have a suitable device that they may wish to bring to school. If you are not sure whether the device meets Specification Criteria, please contact the school.
Students will be provided with instructions on how to log into the school’s filtered network at the start of the 2020 school year. They will also be instructed on how to set up and use Google Classroom. Students and parents will also be required to sign the BYOD User Agreement which sets out the responsibilities and expectations for use of the personal device at Hawkesbury High School. Students must read and abide by the Department of Education's Online Communication Services - Acceptable Usage for School Students.
What if I can’t afford a device?
Hawkesbury High School’s BYOD Policy includes an Equity Policy that outlines steps through which all students will be supported to have access to appropriate technological resources in their classes. The policy also provides a framework through which a family may request assistance by completing the School Assistance Form.
In addition to the school’s BYOD Equity Policy, the school will:
- Ensure the Device Specification is designed so that a range of devices in capability and cost are suitable.
- Provide access to suitable loan devices during the school day, including priority or reserved access to computers in the Library during class time, study periods, before school or during breaks; loan of a laptop or other device for a particular class; loan of a laptop or other device for a particular day.
The implementation of BYOD from 2020 at Hawkesbury High School will provide students with an additional opportunity to become future-focussed learners and develop and enhance their digital literacy in a connected, technological world.