Digital Learning
Resources to support families and students to be safe and responsible digital citizens
(Repeat)
Hi WPS families,
It certainly has been a hectic start to the year! Our Grade 3 and 5 students are gearing up for NAPLAN, which officially kicks off next Wednesday, 13th March. All NAPLAN tests (except Grade 3 Writing) are completed online via the NAP Locked Down Browser App. A reminder to Grade 3 and 5 families who use a personal iPad at school to download the app in preparation for NAPLAN next week.
Download the app from the app store. The app requires iOs 17.3. iPads may need updating to ensure the app works best.
Over the past week, students and teachers have set up the digital elements to their classrooms. Students have been connected to Wi-Fi, joined their classes Google Classroom and, for our older students, started using Google Drive to store online work.
Our Grade 3 – 6 students have also connected to Apple Classroom. Apple Classroom is a management tool teachers utilise in the classroom. It lets teachers view students’ screens, track apps used and for how long, and lock iPads simultaneously. Students don't need an app for this; it is built into the iPad and connected via Bluetooth. One of the main reasons for utilising Apple Classroom is to ensure all students remain on task and utilise their devices safely and appropriately. Apple Classroom also enables teachers to share classwork easily and simultaneously.
In the coming weeks, we will be undertaking our annual eSmart School Self-Assessment, which is conducted through the Alannah and Madeline Foundation. We look forward to sharing the assessment results later in the year.
Finally, a reminder to all families utilising the BYOiD program. Can students please ensure they bring their iPad to school every day, charged with all of the school apps. The apps list can be found below and on the school’s website via the Digital Learning page - https://www.williamstownps.vic.edu.au/page/38/Digital-Learning
Regards,
Steven Puhar
Apps List 2024
Digital Statement
Williamstown Primary School acknowledges the recent Human Rights Watch report on Edutech in privacy violations and findings.
Williamstown Primary works closely with the DET’s Digital Learning and privacy teams to ensure that all DET guidelines regarding the implementation of digital devices are followed.
Attached is the school’s digital statement outlining the online platforms and their privacy policies that the school uses on a day-to-day basis.
As part of the school’s ongoing student education, the school will further enhance key understandings around user privacy, as well as the tools available on selected devices.
This will be embedded within the current school’s eSafety program that currently sees students undertake numerous digital workshops run by both school leadership, classroom teachers and external providers such as the Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s eSmart organisation.
Parents are advised of a key iPad feature to turn tracking off. This feature will be explicitly demonstrated to students within the school-based workshops.
Go to Settings > Privacy > Tracking.
The list shows the apps that requested permission to track you. You can turn permission on or off for any app on the list.
To stop all apps from asking permission to track you, turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track (at the top of the screen).
Williamstown Primary Digital Information
Below is a link to the schools Digital Learning page. This page contains key information about the school's implementation of the digital technology curriculum as a tool within a blended learning environment.
JB HiFi Digital Purchase Portal 2023/2024
The JB HiFi purchase portal is again available for Willy PS families. The schools recommended minimum specification device is the iPad Gen 9, but the portal does also offer a range of iPad models and accessories. Although students have access to bluetooth keyboards we also recommend the Smart Keyboard or a 3rd party keyboard incorporated within the cover. This accessory will add value to the users experience.
Please also note the change in School Code.
Although the portal is set up through JB HI-FI on behalf of the school, we encourage families to explore all purchase options.
School Code: WilliamstownPS2024
Further GoogleSuite for Education Information
Please find attached documents released by DET.
The first document gives a deeper understanding of the DET licences G Suite for Education, how it is set up and how it differs from the public Google platform.
The second document provides families with supporting resources on how to protect individuals privacy online.
The Department of Education information pack for parents is available from the following link:
https://www.williamstownps.vic.edu.au/source/Build/2020-GoogleSuite-Parent-Information.pdf