Digital technology for learning
by Mr Greg Breese, Assistant Principal
Box Hill High School
Digital technology is used at Box Hill High School to enhance and facilitate learning. Students’ BYOD devices are used to access curriculum materials, explore information, develop skills, communicate and collaborate, and complete assessments. The digital skills that students develop are also important life skills for students as they enter further education and the workforce after school.
School expectations
Our expectations for students when using digital technology are centred on four pillars:
Be safe
Be respectful
Be responsible
Ask for help when needed.
To support the development of safe and responsible digital technology use, we set clear expectations in and outside of class, teach appropriate conduct, audit the software we use for privacy and security, and adequately supervise the digital learning environment. Year 7 students are taught about our digital learning and school laptop expectations as part of our transition program.
Students are required to accept the school’s Acceptable Use Agreement on Compass when they enroll in the school.
Advice for parents and carers
Parents and carers can support students to develop good digital learning habits by establishing good routines at home, talking about online safety and modelling responsible and balanced technology use. For younger students, having expectations that devices are used in common areas of the house and that they are not charging in bedrooms overnight can promote adequate supervision and better sleep hygiene.
As students get older, it’s important that parents are a safe space for children to go to for help if something is wrong online. Some things that parents can do to help with this include:
Be clear that it is the situation that is the problem and that it is not the child that is the problem; mistakes are part of learning and growing.
Let your child know that everyone needs help sometimes, and that asking early can stop problems from getting worse.
Give children time to speak, even if you think you understand the situation, because feeling heard helps them accept advice.
Talk regularly about their online world in a relaxed way, showing real interest in the games, apps and chats they use.
Remind them and remind yourself that their safety matters more than rules.
Emerging technologies and generative AI tools
Generative AI tools are providing our students and teachers with new opportunities and risks to manage within the school. The school has a working party, led by Mr Nathaniel Smith, who is developing an AI Policy and advice for teachers and students so that BHHS' AI practices place an emphasis on responsible use of AI tools. This means that both staff and students learn with and about emerging technologies, and critically evaluate how they may change the way we learn and work.
Our student leaders have developed a traffic light system which highlights how students may consider if AI use is helping or hindering their learning.
