1:1 Devices in 2018
BYOD review: report and changes for 2018
In 2017 the school conducted a review of our current Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) arrangements. Northcote High School is a 1-1 device school, meaning that all students are expected to have a device at school every day. Currently the students in Years 7-9 are expected to bring iPads and students in years 10-12 are free to bring a laptop or tablet of their choosing. After consulting with students, staff and families there were some clear emerging trends.
1. Students use devices predominantly for research and for communication purposes both at home and at school.
2. Students and teachers of the junior levels believed that a change of device would improve student outcomes.
3. To best support learning at Northcote High school, students needed to start school with a device that:
- Is robust
- Can be used from year 7-12
- Has a large amount of storage
- Has touch screen capabilities as well as a keyboard
- Can easily be connected to presentation screens
- Can access eBooks and myNorthcoteHigh easily
Curriculum leaders' (Faculty heads and learning leaders) feedback also informed the “minimum device requirements” which include the need for:
- Touch screen capability
- Ports, which allowed them to connect easily with electronic accessories
- A platform that is able to run aspects of the Adobe suite
Additional factors
Operating system
A Windows based device has been chosen for students entering Year 7 in 2018. This operating system and supporting software is strongly supported by the Department of Education technology infrastructure and most teaching staff also have devices that use the same operating system, which allows for greater ease of file transfer, software familiarity and trouble shooting by staff in class.
2018 Device Requirements
Year 7
Students starting Year 7 in 2018 will be required to purchase an Acer Travelmate 2 in 1 Laptop. This will be made available through the CentreCom portal, which provides families with access to an education warranty and pricing, providing better value than retail.
It is expected that the Acer 2 in 1 Laptop will:
- Assist with transition to high school as consistency of device in the junior years assists with consistency of practice.
- Serve student learning needs at least until Year 9 and most likely beyond.
Year 8
Students in Year 8 in 2018 will continue to use their iPads purchased in Year 7.
Year 9
Students in Year 9 in 2018 will enter the BYOD – Choice Program.
With the enhanced flexibility in the Year 9 curriculum it is appropriate to extend the BYOD – Choice Program to Year 9. Students are required to bring a device each day: they are permitted to chose any lap top or tablet that meets the minimum requirements outlined in the attached image; this includes being able to continue to use their iPad.
Year 10-12
Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 in 2018 will be in the BYOD – Choice Program.
Students are required to bring a device each day and are permitted to bring any lap top or tablet that meets the minimum requirements outlined in the image below; this includes being able to continue to use their iPad.
Important: software purchasing
If you are purchasing a new device for 2018 you do not have to purchase Microsoft Office. The Department of Education is able to provide Office 365 to all students free of charge (on up to 5 devices) and this will be delivered through the school in weeks 1-2 of Term 1 2018 regardless of what year level the student is in.