Tag Archives: byod

Before launching a BYOD initiative there are many issues that require consideration. Review the list of questions. Use them to frame a discussion about BYOD at your school.

Electronic Device

Hardware

• Can a student bring any device? (smartphone, tablet, netbook, e-readers, laptop, gaming console)


Discussion questions for BYOD in schools.

• Will there be minimal standards such as screen size, processing speed?
• Do you want students to be able to use their devices to interact with existing technology such as interactive white boards?
• Do you want teachers to manage content between devices?
• Will your school offer students devices for purchase?
• Will your school offer a leasing option to parents?
• Will students be allowed to bring multiple devices? (e.g. smartphone and laptop)

Software

• What apps will students be using?
• Will the school or teacher specify or recommend apps?
• Will teachers have access to a learning management system (LMS)?
• Will they be able to pick their LMS?
• Will they be told which LMS to use?
• Will they receive training on how to effectively implement the LMS?
• Who purchases apps?
• Will your school offer educational pricing for software?
• Will your school charge a user fee for apps?
• Will the school require student devices have antivirus/malware protection?
• Some apps require an email address to register. Will students be given a school email address or will parents need to sign their child up for an email account?

Equal Access

• What alternatives will you offer students without devices to guarantee equality (lending library, computer lab, mobile cart, computers in classroom)?
• How many devices would you need to ensure equality?
• What type of device will you provide?
• How often will this equipment be updated to avoid a device gap as technology advances?
• What percentage of the student population likely has a device to bring in?

Education

• What activities will students complete?
• What measures will be taken by the teacher to make sure that students without a device are not penalized?
• Are there e-book versions available for existing textbooks?
• What is the cost to obtain the e-book version?
• Will parents pay for an e-book version?
• What classroom rules should be established for BYOD?

Usage

• Where can the students use their device? In the classroom, library, hallway, gym, restroom, playground, school bus?
• Should access be restricted during certain hours of the day? Can it be used before/after school, when changing classes, recess, or lunchtime?
• Is device usage restricted to educational purposes or can students use it for other reasons?
• Will students be able to print from their device?
• Will students be able to use devices outside of school hours at school-sponsored events?

Users

• Who can bring a device? (e.g. students, parents, teachers, volunteers, school contractors)
• Will access be restricted by grade level?
• Will access vary depending on user?

Technical Support

• Will teachers be required to offer technical support for hardware, software, or network issues?
• What resources will be provided to help students connect to the network?
• Who will create the resources to help with technical support?
• What format will be used for the resources? (print, video)
• How will these resources be shared? (handout, posted to website)
• Will a tech team be created to help students with their devices?
• How will teachers offer support for apps?

Storage

• Do devices have to be turned off and stowed away when students are not in class?
• Where are devices to be stored? (e.g. lockable trollies, cupboards, or lockers)

Disciplinary Measures

• What constitutes an infraction?
• What existing school policies already cover infractions?
• Can school personnel confiscate a device if it is not being used appropriately?
• Under what circumstance can the device be confiscated?
• What is the duration before the child’s device is returned?
• Can school personnel search the contents of a device if it is not being used appropriately?
• Under what circumstance can the device be searched?
• Does a parent need to be present or can they offer verbal consent?
• Can a search be conducted without parent permission?
• Can school personnel limit, suspend, or revoke the privilege of bringing a device to school?

Professional Development

• Are all teachers committed to supporting BYOD? How can you create a “buy-in”?
• What training is required to support teachers in their implementation of student devices?
• How will teachers be given time in their schedule to collaborate with fellow teachers?
• How will teachers be supported over time?

Parents

• Do parents support BYOD?
• How do you want to involve parents in BYOD?
• Do you want to offer an information session, where they can explore devices to see their educational use?
• How will you keep parents informed about BYOD?
• Should parents be encouraged to purchase hazard/theft insurance?

Policy

• What will be in our BYOD policy?
• What content should be included in the parent letter?
• What should the BYOD agreement form look like?
• Do all users (administrators, teachers, volunteers) need to sign the BYOD agreement or only students?
• Does the Internet Acceptable Use policy need updating?

Technical Considerations

• Can the current infrastructure serve additional devices? What upgrades need to be made to provide a secure, efficient service? (bandwidth, firewall, access points, server, mobile device management system)
• Will WIFI networks be public and permit only Internet access or will it be private, permitting students to login to server?
• If private, what upgrades are required to have an efficient authentication process?
• Does the infrastructure have a backup system so that if the WIFI service is interrupted, education is not disrupted?
• Is there monitoring software to allow IT to adjust the service to reduce the impact of high demand videos or other apps that hog bandwidth?
• Are there enough outlets and power sources for students and others to charge devices?
• Will there be charging stations?
• What rules will be associated with using the charging stations?
• Will students register their devices? What process will be used for registration?

Financial Considerations

• How much will it cost to upgrade the infrastructure?
• Will it cost money to upgrade the electrical system to accommodate charging stations?
• Is there additional software that needs to be purchased to monitor the network?
• Is there a cost associated with maintenance of the infrastructure?
• How often will the infrastructure require updating?

PLANNING!

Nothing is worse than launching a BYOD initiative that fails. Don’t let that happen to you! Take the time and do things right. To have a successful BYOD program you should:

• Establish a reliable infrastructure.
• Develop a policy that outlines accepted devices, restricted devices, authorized use, infractions, consequences, and responsibilities of stakeholders.
• Form a lending library to ensure an equitable learning environment.
• Supply adequate storage facilities.
• Provide charging stations.
• Select a learning management system.
• Incorporate the use of devices and web apps in staff meetings.
• Offer professional development.
• Have students and parents read policy and sign an agreement form.
• Launch a pilot program. Make participation voluntary.
• Post instructions for connecting devices to the network.
• Post signs around the school to illustrate if the area is approved for device usage.
• Initiate a digital citizenship awareness campaign.
• Display classroom rules for using devices.
• Use web apps to create consistency.
• Use the devices regularly during instruction.
• Review BYOD continuously and make modifications to the initiative.

Do you need to send a letter home informing parents about your new Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program? SAVE TIME! Take some ideas from this sample parent letter to get you started.

Sample BYOD Parent Letter

Dear Parents/Guardians,

School Name is launching a Bring Your Own Device initiative this school year. Students in Grade X will be able to bring laptops, netbooks, tablets, or smartphones to use for educational purposes. Having ongoing access to technology will help your child develop greater independence, increase engagement, and develop skills required to thrive in the 21st Century.

We look forward to the educational opportunities that BYOD will bring. Participation in this initiative is voluntary. Your child will not be left out if they do not have a device. School name will continue to provide access to school owned technology. To learn more:

• Review the Electronic Device Policy with your child.
• Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions sheet.

If you would like your child to participate, sign the Electronic Device Consent Form and complete the Device Registration Form.

Sincerely,

Principal Name

Have you been given the task of writing a BYOD policy for your school? Use some of the ideas in this policy to get your started.

Sample Electronic Device Policy

Purpose

This policy outlines the acceptable use of electronic devices to maintain a safe and secure education environment with the goal of preparing students for the future, improving learning, and fostering digital citizenship.

Definitions

Electronic devices shall include all computing devices that can take photographs; record audio or video data; store transmit or receive messages or images; or provide a wireless connection to the Internet. Examples of these devices include, but shall not be limited to desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, e-readers, as well as any technology with similar capabilities. ____ devices are restricted.

Digital Citizenship is the norms of responsible behavior related to the appropriate use of technology. It encompasses digital literacy, ethics, etiquette, and online safety.

User is any individual granted authorization to use electronic devices. Users may include students, parents, staff, volunteers, visitors, contractors, or individuals employed by service providers.

1. Authorized Use of Electronic Devices

Electronic devices brought to school shall be restricted to educational and administrative purposes in approved locations and times under the supervision of school personnel. Authorized users shall:

• use electronic devices in accordance with the expectations set forth in the school Code of Conduct and Internet Acceptable Use policy;
• comply with guidelines set by school personnel for the use of electronic devices while on school property or while engaged in a school-sponsored activity;
• take photographs and audio/video recordings only with a person’s consent and when authorized by school personnel for educational purposes;
• access the school network using approved infrastructure only.

2. Responsibilities

• All users are responsible for:
1. registering their electronic device with the school and submitting a signed Use of Electronic Devices Agreement prior to connecting to the school network;
2. ensuring electronic devices are used in accordance with school policies and procedures;
3. caring, maintaining, securing, and storing electronic devices;
4. preserving privacy of accounts, login names, passwords, and/or lock codes to maintain security of electronic devices and data;
5. maintaining safe and productive learning environments when using electronic devices;
6. practicing digital citizenship.
• All administrators are responsible for:
1. informing users of school policy;
2. establishing and monitoring digital citizenship through the school Code of Conduct and Internet Acceptable Use policy;
3. responding effectively to disciplinary issues resulting from inappropriate electronic device usage;
4. communicating appropriately with school personnel, parents, and students if school policy is violated from electronic device usage;
5. providing information to users explaining how to connect electronic devices to the school network.
• Teachers are responsible for:
1. creating equitable learning opportunities that include electronic devices for education purposes when relevant to curriculum and instruction;
2. determining when students are able to use school or personal electronic devices for education purposes;
3. supervising student use of electronic devices;
4. responding effectively to disciplinary issues from inappropriate electronic device usage;
5. communicating appropriately with administrators, parents, and students if school policy is violated from electronic device usage.
• Students are responsible for:
1. using electronic devices for educational purposes in approved locations under the supervision of school personnel only;
2. implementing virus and malware scanning on their electronic devices;
3. reporting any inappropriate electronic device usage to a teacher or administrator immediately;
4. ensuring their electronic devices are charged prior to bringing them to school;
5. continuing to learn using an alternative method if an electronic device malfunctions.
• Parents are responsible for:
1. helping their children take all reasonable steps to care, maintain, secure, store, and transport their electronic device;
2. helping their children preserve the privacy of accounts, login names, passwords, and/or lock codes;
3. identifying the electronic device by labelling it, recording details such as make, model, and serial number, and/or installing tracking software;
4. procuring hazard or theft insurance for an electronic device;
5. encouraging their children to follow school policy and practice digital citizenship;
6. contacting the school office to communicate with their child during the school day, instead of using text messages, emails, phone calls, or other digital means that have no curriculum related/education purpose;
7. assuming all responsibility for their child’s unauthorized use of non-school Internet connections such as a 3G/4G cellular phone network.

3. Unauthorized Use of Electronic Devices

Prohibited uses of electronic devices includes, but are not limited to:

• areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as change rooms or restrooms;
• circumventing school’s approved network infrastructure to access Internet connections using an external wireless provider;
• downloading files that are unrelated to educational activities;
• engaging in non-educational activities such as playing games, watching videos, using social media, listening to music, texting, or taking personal calls;
• cheating on assignments or tests;
• accessing information that is confidential;
• using photographs and audio/video recordings for a purpose unrelated to the school assignment;
• obtaining unauthorized access and using it to alter, destroy, or removing data;
• engaging in cyberbullying which involves using technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person;
• infecting a device with a virus or other program designed to alter, damage, or destroy;
• committing a crime under federal, provincial, and/or municipal statues;
• infringing upon copyright laws or plagiarizing protected information;
• using network resources for commercial or political party purposes.

4. Consequences: Remedial and Disciplinary Action

• Individuals who do not comply with this Policy will be subject to appropriate consequences consistent with the school Code of Conduct and Internet Acceptable Use Policy.
• Consequences may include, but are not limited to, the following, either singularly or in combination depending on the individual circumstances:
1. temporary confiscation of device;
2. search of device contents to locate evidence of misuse;
3. limitations, suspension, and/or revocation of access privileges to personal and school technology resources;
4. disciplinary measures, up to and including dismissal;
5. legal action and prosecution by relevant authorities.

5. Liability

• Users are solely responsible for the care and use of electronic devices they choose to bring to school. Users bringing these devices to school do so at their own risk.
• The school and school personnel shall not be liable for the loss, damage, misuse, or theft of any student-owned electronic device: possessed/used during the school day; in/on school buildings, property, vehicles, or contracted vehicles; during transport to/from school; while attending school-sponsored activities.
• The school and school personnel shall not be responsible for any negative consequences to electronic devices caused by running specific software or by accessing the school network.

6. Technical Support

• School personnel shall not provide technical support, troubleshooting, or repair for user-owned electronic devices.