Years 3 - 6 BYOD Option
Purpose
The purpose and goal of this BYOD option is to develop and lift student achievement in the core curriculum areas of reading, writing and mathematics.
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is when students bring their own device to school to assist their learning. For the past few years Waterloo School has had a significant number of students who have brought their own devices to school and have received the benefits associated with doing so.
A full BYOD classroom (one Chromebook to every child) has unlimited potential to enhance and improve learning by opening new and different ways of learning:
- Quicker access to information found on the World Wide Web.
- Devices and learning are taken home.
- Increased engagement from learners.
- File and information sharing between teachers and students.
- Collaboration through connected learning.
- Future ready students.
- Personalised Instruction through flipped classroom & individual access.
- Increased communication between home and school.
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is when students bring their own device to school to assist their learning. For the past few years Waterloo School has had a significant number of students who have brought their own devices to school and have received the benefits associated with doing so.
A full BYOD classroom (one Chromebook to every child) has unlimited potential to enhance and improve learning by opening new and different ways of learning:
- Quicker access to information found on the World Wide Web.
- Devices and learning are taken home.
- Increased engagement from learners.
- File and information sharing between teachers and students.
- Collaboration through connected learning.
- Future ready students.
- Personalised Instruction through flipped classroom & individual access.
- Increased communication between home and school.
Suggested Hardware
We strongly endorse the use of Chromebooks, which have been chosen due to their portability, battery life, ease of use and ability to enhance collaboration.
Any model of Chromebook is acceptable. Waterloo School has bought Acer models due to the robust design for educational markets.
Any model of Chromebook is acceptable. Waterloo School has bought Acer models due to the robust design for educational markets.
Purchase Options
All models can be purchased through your normal electronics retailer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of frequently asked questions and our answers. If you have a question that is not on this list please contact us, we are more than happy to help.
Why have Chromebooks been chosen?
A Chromebook is a personal computer running Google Chrome OS as its operating system.
The device is designed to be used while connected to the Internet and support applications that reside on the Web, rather than traditional applications that reside on the machine itself. All the data is stored in the "cloud" and is accessed by an internet connection. The operating system updates automatically every six weeks.
Is it compulsory?
No it is not compulsory for all Year 3-6 students to have Chromebooks. The school has a number of devices for student use however for your child's learning we do recommend it.
Can my child use another device from home instead?
Our experience has shown us that having a single device allows for less problems occurring during teaching time.
Having different devices in a classroom can be complicated for the teacher to deal with if issues occur.
For this reason the decision has been made to allow only Chromebooks to be brought to school by children.
Will pen and paper no longer be used?
Pen and paper will still be used. Some tasks (notes, planning) can be easier and quicker when performed by hand and allow for viewing alongside a device. It is about choosing the right tool for the job, whether that be pen, paper or the device. A revised stationery list will be provided taking the reduced use of pen and paper into consideration.
Will my child maintain and improve his/her handwriting ability?
Children will still use pen and paper for parts of their learning. By 2017 the government has indicated that all NCEA level subjects will be examined electronically – keyboard skills are becoming an inherent part of how our children will learn.
How will the school keep my child safe while using the Internet?
Just as we currently do, we will continue to have filtered access to sites accessible through our network.
How will the school keep the Chromebook safe while my child is at school?
There will be a user agreement for students and parents to sign and this will outline some expectations around the care of the device. Students bring a Chromebook at their own risk but classroom teachers will be expected to ensure that provision is made to both educate the child and assist them to care for their device. You should make sure you have the device insured as the school will not be responsible for breakages or damage. Devices need to come to school fully charged.
What about insurance cover?
Insurance covering the device is the responsibility of parents/caregivers. Usually devices will be covered under contents insurance but it would pay to check with your insurer.
Will my child be the only one using their device?
As learning is a collaborative experience there may be times when your child is required to "share their screen" with other students however they would remain in control and have responsibility for their device. We would not request your child to lend their device to others.
Can my child hand their Chromebook down to a sibling?
Yes they can. The Google licence stays with the device, not the child so the Chromebook can be handed down. A number of families have done this.
Why have Chromebooks been chosen?
A Chromebook is a personal computer running Google Chrome OS as its operating system.
The device is designed to be used while connected to the Internet and support applications that reside on the Web, rather than traditional applications that reside on the machine itself. All the data is stored in the "cloud" and is accessed by an internet connection. The operating system updates automatically every six weeks.
Is it compulsory?
No it is not compulsory for all Year 3-6 students to have Chromebooks. The school has a number of devices for student use however for your child's learning we do recommend it.
Can my child use another device from home instead?
Our experience has shown us that having a single device allows for less problems occurring during teaching time.
Having different devices in a classroom can be complicated for the teacher to deal with if issues occur.
For this reason the decision has been made to allow only Chromebooks to be brought to school by children.
Will pen and paper no longer be used?
Pen and paper will still be used. Some tasks (notes, planning) can be easier and quicker when performed by hand and allow for viewing alongside a device. It is about choosing the right tool for the job, whether that be pen, paper or the device. A revised stationery list will be provided taking the reduced use of pen and paper into consideration.
Will my child maintain and improve his/her handwriting ability?
Children will still use pen and paper for parts of their learning. By 2017 the government has indicated that all NCEA level subjects will be examined electronically – keyboard skills are becoming an inherent part of how our children will learn.
How will the school keep my child safe while using the Internet?
Just as we currently do, we will continue to have filtered access to sites accessible through our network.
How will the school keep the Chromebook safe while my child is at school?
There will be a user agreement for students and parents to sign and this will outline some expectations around the care of the device. Students bring a Chromebook at their own risk but classroom teachers will be expected to ensure that provision is made to both educate the child and assist them to care for their device. You should make sure you have the device insured as the school will not be responsible for breakages or damage. Devices need to come to school fully charged.
What about insurance cover?
Insurance covering the device is the responsibility of parents/caregivers. Usually devices will be covered under contents insurance but it would pay to check with your insurer.
Will my child be the only one using their device?
As learning is a collaborative experience there may be times when your child is required to "share their screen" with other students however they would remain in control and have responsibility for their device. We would not request your child to lend their device to others.
Can my child hand their Chromebook down to a sibling?
Yes they can. The Google licence stays with the device, not the child so the Chromebook can be handed down. A number of families have done this.
Statement from the New Zealand Curriculum
This statement defines how schools should view and approach E-learning through the use of ICT. There are many New Zealand schools currently embarking on some sort of BYOD or 1to1 device solution. Recent ongoing research highlights the benefits of increasing the use of such devices in educational settings.
E-learning and pedagogy
Information and communication technology (ICT) has a major impact on the world in which young people live. Similarly, e-learning (that is, learning supported by or facilitated by ICT) has considerable potential to support the teaching approaches outlined in the above section.
For instance, e-learning may:
Schools should explore not only how ICT can supplement traditional ways of teaching but also how it can open up new and different ways of learning.
Information and communication technology (ICT) has a major impact on the world in which young people live. Similarly, e-learning (that is, learning supported by or facilitated by ICT) has considerable potential to support the teaching approaches outlined in the above section.
For instance, e-learning may:
- assist the making of connections by enabling students to enter and explore new learning environments, overcoming barriers of distance and time.
- facilitate shared learning by enabling students to join or create communities of learners that extend well beyond the classroom.
- assist in the creation of supportive learning environments by offering resources that take account of individual, cultural, or developmental differences.
- enhance opportunities to learn by offering students virtual experiences and tools that save them time, allowing them to take their learning further.
Schools should explore not only how ICT can supplement traditional ways of teaching but also how it can open up new and different ways of learning.
Further Information and Documentation
Click on a link below to download the policy or form/s that you require.
