Brisbane Girls Grammar School’s Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program allows students to select and use their own computing device in all classes.
Students can configure their device to meet their personal likes and individual learning style, rather than working with a device that has been prescribed for them. The program forms part of the School’s overall strategy to personalise the curriculum and learning for students. Students can move their learning seamlessly between home, school and alternative wireless environments, such as local libraries.
All Year 7 students are required to own a device that supports a stylus or has the facility to use a stylus/touch screen input. ‘Digital inking’, the use of a stylus or pen, allows numbers, symbols, diagrams, drawings and other markings to be captured digitally.
Recent studies support using a stylus device in the educational context. Dean (2014) explains the ability to mix digital ink, images and text means that products such as formulas in Mathematics or the drawing of diagrams or annotation of images imported into text in Biology, can be quickly undertaken.
Mantgem (2008) notes students and teachers alike can write, draw and sketch with freedom, enabling students to ‘tap directly into their creative brainstorming thought processes’.
The School’s current BYOD Requirements and Frequently Asked Questions outline the minimum specifications required for BYOD devices. The School requires all Year 7 students to own a device that supports a stylus or has the facility to use a stylus/touch screen input.
What is Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)?
The School’s BYOD program allows students to bring their own computing device (that meets the School’s specification requirements) to class. Students can configure their device to meet their personal likes and individual learning style, rather than working with a device that has been prescribed for them.
The program, which is not unlike tertiary models, forms part of the School’s overall strategy to personalise the curriculum students’ learning. Students can move their learning seamlessly between home, school, and alternative wireless environments, such as local libraries.
Why has the School required stylus-supported technology in the classroom?
Since 2018, the School has required all new students to own a device that supports a stylus or has the facility to use a stylus/touch screen input. ‘Digital inking’–the use of a stylus or pen–allows numbers, symbols, diagrams, drawings, and other markings to be captured digitally.
Recent studies support using a stylus device in the educational context. Dean (2014) explains the ability to mix digital ink, images, and text means that products such as formulas in Mathematics or the drawing of diagrams or annotation of images imported into text in Biology, can be undertaken quickly. Mantgem (2008) notes students and teachers alike can write, draw and sketch with freedom, enabling students to ‘tap directly into their creative brainstorming thought processes’.
How will my daughter be using her computer in the classroom?
Technology is a tool used in students’ day-to-day learning, and teachers in different classes will use it in different ways. Students will not be learning in a paperless or wholly online environment; rather, they will be using technology in classes to support the best possible approaches to rigorous teaching and learning.
What type of technology should my daughter use?
The School asks that the girls use a device that is consistent with our recommended specifications. These are based on laptop or notebook-style computing devices. For many girls, it means that they can use their current laptop at school.
Does my daughter’s device need to be a particular brand?
No, we do not require any particular brand or model–any device that meets the minimum specification on page 4 will be suitable. Girls can use Microsoft Windows-based devices or an Apple product, depending on which device suits the way they like to work (noting that Apple Mac devices require an additional third-party device to meet stylus input requirements). Although the minimum specification will meet your daughter’s needs now, the recommended specifications are our best estimate as to what will allow a device purchased now to meet your daughter’s needs over the reasonable life of the device (around 3-years is reasonable lifetime for a device).
Can my daughter bring her iPad or tablet to school?
No. Girls should bring devices that can support traditional, and educational, software packages (such as full versions of Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud). Operating systems that are ineligible for the BYOD program include Windows RT, Windows S, iPadOS and iOS.
iPads and tablets are great for consuming information but have limitations in creating and manipulating this information. Laptop or notebook-style devices provide students with the greatest benefits to their learning.
How about the Microsoft Surface Pro X / Surface Go 2?
While the Microsoft Surface Pro X and Go 2 can attach to a mechanical keyboard, it cannot run many traditional software packages (such as the Adobe Creative Cloud) or other software outside of what is available via the Microsoft store. It therefore limits a student’s ability to use required software. The Surface Pro 7, however, does fit within minimum specifications.
Why do students use different types of computers?
The School considers technology as a means by which girls can create, manipulate and exchange the information that helps them learn. Technological advances mean the type of device–its brand, size, or colour is less important than the quality and type of resources that students access via their device.
Girls choosing the device they wish to use gives them ownership over how they learn: it personalises the experience and increases their engagement.
Is there an easy way to buy a new laptop?
Brisbane Girls Grammar School has arranged for JB Hi-Fi Solutions for Education (a technology retailer) to provide an online purchase portal, configured for BGGS’ BYOD requirements, to parents who wish to purchase a new computing device for their daughter. There is no commercial arrangement between JB Hi-Fi Solutions for Education and Brisbane Girls Grammar School.
JB Hi-Fi Solutions for Education offers parents educational pricing and three-year warranties that include on-site (at School) warranty repairs (where provided by the manufacturer) organised by the School’s IT Services team.
The JB Hi-Fi Portal can be found via this link: https://www.jbeducation.com.au/byod/. You will require the School Code BGGSBYOD2023 to enter this page. Please note: purchasing a laptop and accessories will require two separate transactions (to allow for the addition of the optional Accidental Damage Protection to your order). If you are not purchasing accessories, you can complete your order in one transaction.
What is the difference between Warranty and Accidental Damage Protection Insurance?
Warranty covers repair or replacement where a hardware fault occurs through no fault of the user–e.g. a hard drive or the Wi-Fi card inside the laptop fails. The standard warranty offered by most manufacturers is only for 12-months and is Return-To-Base (RTB).RTB means you need to send the device to the manufacturer’s authorised repair centre and wait for it to be fixed and then returned to you–a process which often takes weeks.
Most manufacturers offer an extended warranty option (at additional cost) that extends the standard warranty–the School strongly recommends parents purchase 3-year, Next Business Day, On-Site Warranty as part of any new laptop purchase. This means that your daughter’s laptop can be repaired quickly and at school should a hardware fault occur.
Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) Insurance is an optional add-on offered by many manufacturers/retailers in addition to the extended warranty. In general, as the name suggests, ADP will provide for the repair of accidental damage (subject to specific coverage) at no or little further cost – and in many cases, on-site at school within a short timeframe. Details vary between manufacturers and retailers who offer this add-on, so it is important to carefully read the Product Disclosure Statement before purchasing. As a general recommendation (without regard to specific policies), the School recommends parents purchase ADP Insurance as accidents with laptops do occur–especially water spills, falls on to hard surfaces and lids closing with a pen accidentally inside.
What software do I need to provide for my daughter?
The School provides all students with student licenses for Microsoft Office and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite at no cost. Specialist applications for specific subjects (where required) are also provided at no additional cost. Parents do not need to purchase any application software.
The only software that the School strongly recommends parents obtain is Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware protection. There are several very good yet free options available.
For an external opinion on free options available, please refer to this PC Magazine article:
https://au.pcmag.com/antivirus/44373/the-best-free-antivirus-protection
(above link confirmed valid 26/7/2021)
How do the girls charge their computers?
Girls are required to bring their laptop/notebook computers to School fully charged. On a full charge, it would be unusual for a laptop/notebook to require charging during a day of normal use.
If necessary, girls can charge their devices using secure charging stations available throughout the School.
How do the girls access the Internet while at school?
Brisbane Girls Grammar School has a high-quality wireless network, covering our buildings and open spaces, allowing girls to use their mobile technology anywhere on the campus.
How does the School ensure the girls’ safety when using the Internet at school?
The School filters all wireless Internet access, blocking access to social media and websites that the School does not consider appropriate for our classrooms.
How do students keep their technology safe?
Girls taking responsibility for their own possessions has always been a key part of the School’s Ethics and Student Care programs. All girls have secure, individual lockers in which to store their possessions on campus.
Why do the girls still have a textbook list?
The School has developed quality electronic resources and students can access e-texts. However, students will still use textbooks in some subjects. Some publishers do not yet offer their books in an electronic format and we think it is important to give all girls access to the best resources to support their learning, not just those offered in convenient ways.
Why do the girls still have to buy traditional stationery to use in class?
Having a laptop or notebook in class does not make Brisbane Girls Grammar School a paperless environment. Many aspects of learning best occur through girls experimenting and exploring ideas with a pen and paper. When the best way to engage with ideas or concepts is through technology, teachers will use this method.
How do the girls access resources for their learning with their own computers?
The School’s Learning Management System (known as ‘Minerva’) support girls’ learning and related tasks at School. It is a platform from which girls can download materials for each individual class, submit work and interact with other students or teachers. Girls can also login at home using their School credentials.
What will the girls do if their computer needs servicing or repair?
The School’s IT Service Desk can help the girls solve minor issues or problems with software applications.
Should a hardware fault occur, the IT Service Desk can assist with diagnostics and if the fault is covered by warranty, can report the fault to the manufacturer on your behalf and arrange repair/replacement.
Should the issue be due to damage not covered by warranty (e.g. laptop has been dropped) AND you have purchased the optional add-on Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) insurance, the IT Service Desk can assist in reporting to the insurance company and arranging repair/replacement. Note: if you chose an ADP that has an excess, you will need to pay the excess before repair/replacement can be arranged–we will advise you at the time the process to do this.
We encourage parents to ensure that their daughter’s laptop/notebook is supported by a high-quality warranty to manage any hardware failures. We strongly recommend purchase of an on-site, next business day warranty add-on/extension where offered by the manufacturer as this means that your daughter’s device will be repaired quickly and at school (without having to send it away).
In addition, we recommend parents purchase Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) Insurance for their daughter’s device at time of purchase. Details vary between manufacturers and retailers who offer this add-on, so it is important to carefully read the Product Disclosure Statement. In general, as the name suggests, ADP will provide for the repair of accidental damage (subject to specific coverage) at no or little further cost–and in many cases, on-site at school within a short timeframe.
The School maintains a short-term loan scheme to provide girls with a notebook computer while their own device is being repaired.
How do I add Parental Control to my daughter’s device?
For Windows devices, please refer to the Microsoft Family Safety information.
For MAC devices, please refer to the Content & Privacy settings.
Further Information:
For further information about the BYOD program or BYOD specifications, please contact the School’s IT Services team on 07 3332 1478 or email byod@bggs.qld.edu.au.
