At Robina State School we offer a BYOD (bring your own device) program to all year 5 students. This is where students use their personally owned mobile device to access the department's information and communication (ICT) network.
Why BYOD?
This supports the delivery of 21st century learning. Devices in class encourage engagement and allow for differentiation. They assist in providing different content for diverse learning needs and allow our students to collaborate, discuss, work and respond, encouraging critical and creative thinking. The use of devices, assists teachers to cater for a variety of different learners and learning styles. Modern digital devices enable personalised learning by giving learners the responsibility and ownership to choose how they learn, when they learn and where they learn; as well as developing their organisational skills. With greater access to real life time information, digital learning resources, educational apps and collaborative workspaces, students experience higher levels of motivation and engagement in their learning.
Children need be familiar with the technology that is commonplace in our world today. They need to be aware that technology can be a tool and is not a ‘treat’. Devices in class are not replacing how we teach, but they enhance pedagogical practices and allow for exciting new learning opportunities to create, design and problem solve.
Safety and security are of high importance when considering the use of ICT in a school or classroom. To ensure the safety of all students, we have strict guidelines on device specification and usage.
From 2019 we will require the specified iPad to be managed through our school ICT department. This will entail the device being reset here at school before being utilised for the first time. This will not prevent the use of, or access to personal app use on the iPad at home, however it will limit the use of apps at school to only school approved apps.