Bring Your Own Device
(BYOx)
and
School Device Hire Program
2021
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Personally-owned mobile device
BYOx overview
Bring Your Own Device (BYOx) is a new pathway supporting the delivery of 21st century learning. It is a term used to describe a digital device ownership model where students use their personally-owned mobile devices to access the school’s computer network. At Toowoomba SHS, students in Year 7 are to bring a device (laptop or tablet) to school from 2021.
Toowoomba SHS has chosen to support the implementation of a BYOx model because:
BYOx recognises the demand for seamless movement between school, work, home and play
our BYOx program assists students to improve their learning outcomes in a contemporary educational setting
Students become more responsible digital citizens, enhancing the teaching and learning process and achievement of student outcomes as well as the skills and experiences that will prepare them for their future studies and careers.
Device selection
Toowoomba SHS recommends a Microsoft Windows 10 laptop. Apple MacBook and iPads are supported however some school software may not be compatible. Google Chromebooks and Android tablets are not
supported.
The most important place to start when selecting device hardware is the CPU. Six tiers are described below, starting from the slowest CPU at tier 1 and going up to the fastest CPU at tier 6. Each tier brings an increase in cost. The minimum tier for a BYOx device is tier 1, and tier 3 is the recommended tier. Tier 4 or above are quite powerful and are not required for mainstream subjects, however a tier 4 device may be useful for students studying subjects such as Digital Technologies and Art & Media.
Tier 1: AMD A4-9125, AMD A6-9225, Intel Celeron N4000/4020
Tier 2: Intel Celeron N4100, Intel Pentium 4415U, Pentium 4417U, Pentium 6405U, Pentium N5000/5030
Tier 3: Intel i3-8130U/8145U, Intel i3-10110U, AMD Ryzen 3 3200U
Tier 4: AMD Ryzen 3 3300U, Intel i5-8265U, Intel i5-10210U, Intel i7-8565U
Tier 5: AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, Ryzen 7 3780U, Ryzen 7 3700U, Ryzen 3580U, Intel i7-10510U, i5-1035G1, i5-9300H, i7-1065G7, AMD Ryzen 7 3550H, Ryzen 7 3750H Tier 6: Intel i7-9750m i7-10750H, AMD Ryzen 5 4600H, Ryzen 4800H
Note that these tiers can be subjective and are based on hardware available as of November 2020. If the device you are looking at has a CPU not mentioned above, please contact the Head of Department eLearning if you would like further information.
Once you have settled on the CPU, a minimum of 4GB of RAM and a solid state hard drive (SSD) at least 64GB in size is required. For better performance, it is recommended that the device has 8GB of RAM and at least 120GB solid state hard drive. The device should also be as portable as possible and have good battery life. Touch screen is not a requirement.
The brand of the device is not important. The school is unable to recommend one particular device or brand over another due to our adherence to the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 where we have a “duty to provide advice which is objective, independent, apolitical and impartial”, however you can contact the Head of Department eLearning at the school to discuss possible options. The school is also unable to recommend a particular retailer.
The approximate cost of a device fitting the minimum specifications should be about $500, and about $800 for a device fitting the recommended specifications. Be aware that some retailers may attempt to upsell you to a more expensive device – there is no need to spend thousands of dollars on a student device.
If you already own an older device or are looking at purchasing a second hand device, you can contact the Head of Department eLearning if you would like to check to see if it meets the school’s requirements.
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Peripherals
Headphones will need to be used with the device. These can be inexpensive (eg $2). A mouse (wired or wireless) is required for some aspects of the curriculum where a touch pad is difficult to use. A strong carry case for the device is recommended to prevent damage in transit.
Software
A student’s BYOx device must have a valid and legal operating system. This is usually pre-installed when the device is purchased. Paid antivirus software is not required as antivirus software is built into the Windows operating system.
Students must also install Microsoft Office, which is available to download free of charge by visiting
portal.office.com on the device and logging in using the student’s school email address and password.
Adobe Creative Cloud is also available to students free of charge and can be downloaded from
account.adobe.com by entering the student’s school email address, clicking the forgotten password link to
set the password, and downloading the Creative Cloud app, which then allows you to install any part of the Adobe suite.
Note that these programs are only available to students after the beginning of the school year.
Connectivity
BYOx devices can be connected to the school wi-fi which provides internet at school. Students can also print from their device to designated printers in the school. Internet connectivity at home is not provided by the school.
Responsible usage
Students in year 7 in 2021 are required to bring their device to school every day. The device should be
charged each night to ensure it doesn’t go flat during the day. Limited charging facilities are available in the school library.
Whilst the school will provide lockers suitable for storing devices, the student is responsible for taking care of and securing the device and accessories. Responsibility for loss or damage of a device at home, in transit or at school rests with the student. You should obtain your own advice regarding inclusion in your home and contents insurance policy. It is advised that accidental damage and warranty policies are discussed at point of purchase. You should also enquire about the device warranty and be aware of your rights under the Australian Consumer Law (which generally mean that purchasing an extended warranty is not required).
Students must ensure they have a process of backing up data securely. Otherwise, should a hardware or software fault occur, assignments and the products of other class activities may be lost. The student is responsible for the backup of all data. Students should use Microsoft OneDrive to store all their files, which is provided free of charge.
The school cannot monitor student device usage in real time, however all material on the device is subject to audit by authorised school staff if deemed necessary. If at any stage there is a police request, the school may be required to provide the authorities with access to the device and personal holdings associated with its use.
Device hire program
The school recognises that not all families are able to purchase a device outright. In the first instance, you may choose to investigate finance options provided by the retailer that allow you to pay the device off. If this is not possible, the school has the facility to hire devices fitting the minimum required specification for families who can demonstrate financial hardship. The devices will incur a fee of $120 per year, which can also be paid in term or semester instalments. At the end of the year, you can choose to purchase your own device and return the school device, or continue hiring the device in the following year. At the end of
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the hire period or when the student graduates or leaves the school, the device must be returned to the school. Any damage to the school owned device will incur additional fees.
If you would like to enquire about the device hire program, please contact the school to make an appointment to discuss this.
If you require further information about the BYOx program, you can contact Richard Kelly, Head of Department eLearning, by phoning the school or emailing [email protected]
Device care
Whilst the school will provide lockers suitable for storing devices, the student is responsible for taking care of and securing the device and accessories in accordance with school policy and guidelines.
Responsibility for loss or damage of a device at home, in transit or at school belongs to the student. You should obtain your own advice regarding inclusion in your home and contents insurance policy.
It is advised that accidental damage and warranty policies are discussed at point of purchase. A strong carry case for the device is recommended to prevent damage in transit.
Security
As mentioned in the responsible usage section, students must ensure they have a process of backing up data securely. Otherwise, should a hardware or software fault occur, assignments and the products of other class activities may be lost.
The student is responsible for the backup of all data. While at school, students will be able to save data to the school’s network, which is safeguarded by a scheduled backup solution. All files must be scanned using appropriate anti-virus software before being uploaded to the department's ICT network.
Students are also able to save data locally to their device for use away from the school network. The backup of this data is the responsibility of the student and should be backed-up on an external device, such as an external hard drive or USB drive.
Microsoft OneDdrive is cloud-based secure storage provided free to students and is the preferred method for saving and backup of files. Students can access these saved files at home, as well as at school.
Students should also be aware that, in the event that any repairs need to be carried out the service agents may not guarantee the security or retention of the data. For example, the contents of the device may be deleted and the storage media reformatted.
Copying of software, information, graphics, media (such as films and television shows) or other data files may violate copyright laws without warning and be subject to prosecution from agencies to enforce such copyrights.
All material on the device is subject to audit by authorised school staff. If at any stage there is a police request, the school may be required to provide the authorities with access to the device and personal holdings associated with its use.
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Responsible use of BYOx & Device Hire Program
Responsibilities of stakeholders involved in the BYOx program:
School
BYOx program induction — including information on (but not responsible for) connection, care of device at school, workplace health and safety, appropriate digital citizenship and cybersafety
network connection at school
internet filtering (when connected via the school’s computer network) some limited technical support
some school-supplied software e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office 365 printing facilities
Student
participation in BYOx program induction
acknowledgement that core purpose of device at school is for educational purposes care of device
appropriate digital citizenship and online safety
security and password protection — password must be difficult enough so as not to be guessed by other users and is to be kept private by the student and not divulged to other individuals (e.g. a student should not share their username and password with fellow students)
some technical support
maintaining a current back-up of data charging of device (while not at school)
abiding by intellectual property and copyright laws (including software/media piracy) internet filtering (when not connected to the school’s network)
ensuring personal login account will not be shared with another student, and device will not be shared with another student for any reason
understanding and signing the BYOx Charter Agreement Parents and caregivers
participation in BYOx program induction
acknowledgement that core purpose of device at school is for educational purposes internet filtering (when not connected to the school’s network)
encourage and support appropriate digital citizenship and cybersafety with students some technical support
required software, including sufficient anti-virus software protective backpack or case for the device
adequate warranty and insurance of the device
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BYOx responsible use agreement
Complete and return to the school
PERSONALLY OWNED DEVICE
The following is to be read and completed by both the STUDENT and PARENT/CAREGIVER:
I have read and understood the BYOx documentation
I agree to abide by the guidelines outlined
I am aware that non-compliance or irresponsible behaviour may result in access to the BYOx network being suspended or cancelled and other behaviour consequences may applyPlease print:
Student Name: Signature:
Username (eg jsmit123): Date:
Parent Name: Signature:
Date
OR
SCHOOL OWNED DEVICE
The following is to be read and completed by both the STUDENT and PARENT/CAREGIVER:
I have read and understood the BYOx documentation
I agree to abide by the guidelines outlined
I am aware that non-compliance or irresponsible behaviour may result in access to the BYOx network being suspended or cancelled and other behavior consequences may apply
I am responsible for the care and security of a School Owned Device
I accept financial responsibility for any loss or damage to School Owned DevicesPlease print:
Student Name: Signature:
Username (eg jsmit123): Date:
Parent Name: Signature:
