Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the added value of BYOD for my child? Is this really going to improve my child’s achievement of the Australian Curriculum?
Learning technologies are most effective when students have access to their own personal device, when they need it, not when it’s their turn. It’s important for students to be using a personal device that has their own work on it, one that they can ideally take home. We can also use the iPads to give the children opportunities to find individualised, appropriately levelled information, and give them time to practice relevant skills and develop concepts in a variety of ways. This improves a child’s understanding of a topic. Student engagement through technologies also leads to a better connection with the skills, concepts and content being taught and learning outcomes improve. The focus of education should also be on something more than just low level standards assessed by standardised testing. 21st Century Fluencies consider problem solving, communication, collaboration, higher level thinking to create digital products that are real world solutions to real world problems. These processes will be essential to students as they become adults and make significant contributions to society.
Are we getting rid of pen and paper?
No. There are some forms of learning and recording information that are better suited to pen and paper. Handwriting will still have a place in the classroom, and remains important in the curriculum.
Does this mean my children are just going to be looking things up on Google and Wikipedia?
Part of 21st Century Fluencies involves investigation, problem solving and having a critical eye on information. Students learn that not everything they read on the internet is true and that they need to check information from a number of sources and consider their own opinions about information. The focus is on the skills and processes in investigation rather than the facts they uncover. Students use a range of sources to discover things and assess their validity.
Will parents be able to access student learning examples and assessment more regularly? Can we see what our students have been learning or their results on the iPad?
The iPads will be going home each night so parents can sit with their child as often as they wish and talk through the learning items on the iPads. Teachers may email/give electronic assessments which would also be stored on the iPad. Just as parents can now come into classrooms and look through children’s books, parents can “look through” the iPad! The vast majority of assessment and reporting which happens in primary schools is formative assessment (immediate feedback) which can happen in the classroom every day through questioning, self, peer and teacher verbal and written feedback and this will continue. Some assessment will be available to look at online or on the iPads through applications such as OneNote. Students will still receive written reports and assessments as they currently do.
What device can my child bring in?
IPads only – Minimum specification is an iPad Generation 5 or the third generation iPad mini as these will still be compatible with the latest iOS software. It is recommended that families purchase an Air 2 (64Gb) or an iPad mini Generation 4 to ensure that the device will still be compatible in 3 years’ time.
Who will be able to bring their own device to school?
Any student in Upper Primary (Years 5 and above) who has read the General Expectations and the ICT User Agreement then signed and returned it.
When will the Year 4s be able to bring the device into class?
Towards the end of Term 4 we will be having a soft launch. This will involve setting up the devices and going through expectations with students first.
What about the constant updates and upgrades? Will the OS updates be controlled by the school, or can we install updates when we want to?
The school will be providing many apps for the students to use and these can be “pushed out” to each iPad through a centralised management system which is iPad only. With all our students using iPads, the central management system will also be able to “push out” the latest updates for apps, so that all devices are up to date. Students are encouraged to keep their device up to date and can use the school’s wifi to download IOs updates. It will require them to know the Username and Password of the AppleID. You can of course, install updates whenever you wish at home.
How can I maintain balance? I don’t want my child pressured into having certain games or social media, or being ostracised for not getting involved in these apps. How can this be addressed in the classroom?
Just as you control how much TV, XBox style gaming and device/computer use is currently happening in your house, the same would be true for your child’s use of the iPad. Social media sites recommend that children are at least 13 years old before signing up for accounts. In fact, on most accounts, in the terms and conditions that everyone ticks while setting up an account, there is usually a statement that says “I am over 13”. As the parent, it is up to you if you want to allow your child to make a false statement on these accounts. Under-age use of social media sites causes a lot of angst among young people as they do not have the social and emotional maturity to use the sites properly. St Joseph’s Tranmere would never ask you to allow your child to create a social media account which was not recommended for children of primary school age. We have a strong commitment to Keeping Kids Safe and educating them on this. Curriculum around cyber safety teaches children how to deal with online issues caused by social media such as online bullying and promotes protective behaviours.
Won’t students just be staring at screens all day?
No. First, ICT is a tool that teachers and students will use only some of the time; it is not suitable for every aspect of learning. Second, technology will remain locked in classrooms during recess and lunch. It is important that these unstructured times are used for face to face social interaction and physical activity. It is essential that our students have balance in their lives.
What about ergonomic considerations? What controls/restrictions are available for parents to use on the iPad?
This is a valid question and “balance” is required. It is important that you monitor all your child’s use of TV, X-box style gaming and computer/device time. In the classroom, laptops and iPads are often used in short bursts and children are often “on the move” and physical issues are not as important than as at home where they may sit on the sofa, playing a game and time slips away and before you know it, they have been on the iPad for a long time and have a sore neck! There are some good “Restriction” features on the iPad that allows parents to to set a shutdown time for the iPad as well as locking the iPad to only using a certain app until unlocked.
Can online and camera functions be disabled?
Yes, both of the features can be managed using “Restrictions” under General settings. From an educational point of view, this would greatly impede the potential for learning opportunities for the device.
What if another student breaks my child’s iPad?
We use restorative justice practices at St Joseph’s Tranmere and natural consequences would occur for deliberate and malicious damage of any child’s property. Leadership would investigate the situation and work with families to come to an acceptable resolution.
If we use the iPad as a family, how do I keep our data, photographs etc private during school? What is an Apple ID? Why shouldn’t I share my own ID with my child?
As a parent making a choice about how to manage Apple IDs, we would recommend one of two options. One option is using family sharing through iTunes. There are a number of advantages of using family sharing because you can share apps (that you choose to) as well as appointments etc. These accounts cannot be set up at this stage without a credit card which may not be an ideal solution for you. The other option is to create an account in your name for your child (legally children are not supposed to own their apple ID below the age of 13). It is important that your child’s apple ID is not linked to your own account other than through family sharing (in other words don’t use the one account).
If you have information of a private nature on the iPad, there is absolutely no guarantee that other people will not access it. In fact, it will be part of the General expectations for use that teachers and leadership have permission to access all apps, content and storage areas of the iPad.
Information about Apple IDs and School management will be explained in more detail during the setup sessions.
Will my child still require access to a desktop or laptop computer at home for typed homework?
There shouldn’t be any need for this unless you do not have wireless internet at home and your child needs to access the internet for homework. All Microsoft Office applications will be able to be accessed through the apps on the iPad. Microsoft files can be stored in the cloud and can also be stored locally on the device if you have difficulty accessing the internet at home.
What is ‘WIFI”, and will we need to have WIFI Internet access at home?
WIFI refers to the wireless provision of internet, network, and printing services. At home, wireless generally refers to an additional component of the ADSL/broadband provision to the house that enables your devices to have internet access. Whilst it would be helpful to have some form of Internet access (wired or wireless) at home, it is not required in order for a child to use a personal device at school.
Does this mean that my child will no longer need books? What about handwriting?
Student owned devices at school will not take over all aspects of learning at school. They are to be used to enhance classroom learning. Students will still have opportunities for hands on learning. They will have plenty of non-screen time at school. Students will still need books to do a lot of their school work. The role of technology is not to replace successful teaching and learning approaches but to work alongside it.
How will children back up their work? Where will my child’s work be saved? How can it be accessed?
Students would be encouraged to use iCloud or another cloud storage facility to store copies of their work. Similarly they should regularly back up their whole iPad to iCloud or a home computer through iTunes. All work through Microsoft Office will be saved to students OneDrive accounts (cloud) which is not physically stored on the iPads. In the event of something unfortunate happening to an iPad this data would still be perfectly safe.
What if my child doesn’t bring their own technology? Will they be disadvantaged?
Participation is encouraged but the School will provide older devices to use in the classroom only if students do not own a device.
Will students be able to recharge their device during the day?
No – power cords/chargers can be a WHS hazard and they add extra weight to school bags. Students will need to develop the habit of charging their device overnight, and be responsible for bringing it to school fully charged each day.
What about iPhones?
The use of iPhones for learning activities is not permissible. They have small screens and other limitations that make it unsuitable to be the main device. Students are not allowed to use the cellular capabilities of the phone to access the Internet (including tethering), as this bypasses the school’s filter. As in previous years students will be expected to notify teachers if they have a phone at school and leave with their teacher or with the office during the day.
Why am I filtered on my own device? Shouldn’t I be able to see what I want to on my own device?
The school requires all network access to be filtered, regardless of the device. The network you are using while at school belongs to St Joseph’s School and is required to be filtered.
Why doesn’t the school provide devices to all students?
With student owned devices they can take them home to access all of the learning they do on iPads. With Office365 students can have immediate access to any of the documents that they are working on at school. They will also be able to see and share their assessment and feedback with their parents for their learning.
The school provides a range of ICT resources such as the high bandwidth filtered wireless internet connection, AirServer connected TVs, a number of Windows and OS X laptops, iPads and some desktop computers. If the school were to provide devices for every child, parents would ultimately be paying for them through increased school fees.
We will be providing older devices for students to use at school to cater for families that don’t opt in for the BYOD model. These will not be available for students to take home.
Is there particular software that my child will need to have on his/her device?
The students need to be able to connect to the school’s wireless network and to access the internet with a browser. Different teachers will make use of different programs, sites and resources for learning but a lot of these will be web-based. We will try to use as many free resources as possible, and may recommend apps/programs to be loaded on the devices as well as putting apps onto the devices via management software. Students will be expected to have all the Office365 apps installed on their iPads. We won’t be expecting parents to pay for apps for the iPads.
Can the device be shared with a sibling or other family member?
No. Each student in Upper Primary must have a device that is not shared.
What about the physical safety of the devices at school?
As with other equipment, individual students retain responsibility for their own property at school. Devices must have protective cases or coverings. The cases available through the CompNOW portal will provide the necessary protection for the device. The devices will be stored in locked classrooms at recess and lunch, and we will continue to refine our practices for the security of devices at school. The owness will be placed on the student to make sure that devices are safely used at school and placed securely on class desks when not in use.
Who is responsible for the insurance of the device?
The school does not own the device, support the device or warranty the device. Parents are advised to make their own arrangements regarding insurance. When purchasing iPads from CompNOW there is additional cover that you can purchase from Apple called AppleCare+. This allows 2 devices to be replaced within 2 years at minimal cost. If you are concerned the device is going to be broken, lost or stolen, you may wish to consider specific accidental loss and breakage insurance for the device. You can specifically list the item on your home contents insurance, or you can purchase an Accidental Damage Protection plan for your device.
The School will not take responsibility for accidental damage to student property, nor do our insurance policies cover it.
How can I protect my child’s device against theft?
You may consider using a device locator service. These services include the “Find my iPad” service built in to Apple iOS devices.
What will they have access to?
Students must log into the school’s filtered network using their existing username and password. They will have the same access to the network regardless of whether they are using a school owned device, or their own device.
Will the students’ use of the internet be monitored at school?
All student usage of the school’s network and internet connection is filtered. The students log into our filtered network with a username and password which allows us to track their web history. There are a number of technical solutions that offer options for filtering internet use on an iPad and for viewing the browsing history etc. Teachers are able to find out what apps have been used and are running in the background simply by double tapping the home button on an iPad.
Again, it needs to be noted that internet browsing is only one element of safe and acceptable use of any mobile device. Technical solutions do not offer protection or prevention against bullying and other inappropriate activities. Pro-active education and the partnership of parents and school are most effective forms of protection.
What policies and structures will guide the students’ use of ICT?
The basic protocol is that the students’ use of ICT will only take place under the guidance of the teacher. Students should refer to the ICT user agreement and General expectations for use that outline our expectations.
Won’t technology become a status symbol amongst students?
This is certainly possible. The reality is that our culture constantly makes status symbols out of possessions, including technology. Regardless of the type of device the child has our focus will be on the equity of learning. As a Catholic school, we teach and emphasize with the children the Christian principle that people are more valuable than possessions.
What about learning to spell and use good grammar, when computers have all these automatic tools?
Research (Potter, R. Fuller D, 2008) has shown that critically using and applying spelling and grammar tools can increase student confidence and understanding of key grammatical concepts. Real time correction as you type can build student self-efficacy, an important objective in a positive education.
How do we know the students won’t just be playing games in class?
The reality is that ICT does provide the potential for multiple distractions. Students have to develop the lifelong skills of self-managing to not get distracted; in fact, you could make a case that this is a vital skill for the 21st century workplace. School and home both have a role to play in helping young people to self-regulate in these areas.
A primary school is different to older levels of schooling in that the students spend most of their time within their classroom with the one teacher. This makes it easier to monitor what is happening in class. We are committed to the use of the devices to enhance learning and teachers will design activities that explicitly target learning objectives. We will have very clear boundaries and policies around how the devices are used and what is expected.
What if the devices have age inappropriate games/apps loaded on them?
Our General Expectations document and Student user agreement both state quite clearly that at school the devices are only to be used for educational purposes, at the direction of the teacher. Playing these games or accessing these apps is not acceptable at school, and there will be consequences of not following the responsible use of ICT guidelines.
Will the school provide technical support for student devices?
No. The school assumes that students will use the internet and other resources to discover all there is to know about their own device. These days, how-to guides are readily available online in video, PDF and other formats. We will assist students to connect their device to our filtered network, to the Casper management tools and help set up AppleIDs and Family sharing with parents.
Will the non-techy teachers be equipped to incorporate iPad learning in the classroom?
Over the next year the team that is being put together to use iPads will work together collaboratively. We will be developing skills and practises that ensures that no one will be left behind and that students will get the most out of their devices no matter who is taking their class.
Do students really need to learn how to code in Primary School? Surely this is something that can be picked up later on.
The new Digital Technologies curriculum requires students from the foundation year (reception) to develop sequences. Students for example learn to use robotic toys to navigate maps through a sequence of steps. The concepts and ideas around coding are woven throughout the curriculum over a students entire time at school using a range of tools and hands on experiences. The following except from the Digital Technologies rationale from the Australian Curriculum highlights the importance of developing these skills from an early age.
In a world that is increasingly digitised and automated, it is critical to the wellbeing and sustainability of the economy, the environment and society, that the benefits of information systems are exploited ethically. This requires deep knowledge and understanding of digital systems …
Digital Technologies provides students with practical opportunities to use design thinking and to be innovative developers of digital solutions and knowledge. The subject helps students to become innovative creators of digital solutions, effective users of digital systems and critical consumers of information conveyed by digital systems.
Digital Technologies provides students with authentic learning challenges that foster curiosity, confidence, persistence, innovation, creativity, respect and cooperation. These are all necessary when using and developing information systems to make sense of complex ideas and relationships in all areas of learning…
Will students be able to use their iPads in OSHC?
iPads will be able to be used for homework purposes only during homework time. Once this time has finished, students will be asked to put their devices away. Allowing students to play games at school on their devices is directly in conflict with the iPads being used as learning tools and will create imbalance within the OSHC environment.
Student FAQs
Why can’t I charge my iPad at school?
All power cords at St Joseph’s Tranmere are tagged and tested by a qualified electrical tester. You may have seen the labels on equipment at school that has a plug on it. Also cords around the classroom can become tripping hazards further compromising safety. If you charge your iPad overnight at home and bring it to school fully charged, it will not need to be charged during the day.
How will I get the apps that I need? Will it pop up and say I need to add or update a new app?
A message will “pop up” on your screen to tell you to install the app, or to get an update of a school app. You can also add your own apps with parent permission.
Will my iPad use be monitored (by the school) at home like it is at school?
Just as we do with all other school iPads, laptops and computers, we will monitor your iPad use as soon as it connects to the school network each morning.
Are we allowed to play non-educational games on the iPads during normal class times?
No.
Do I have to get someone to log me in to the network everyday?
No. Once your iPad has the settings installed, the network will “remember” you and let you join each day.
Will there be restrictions? What will they be?
Your parents may add restrictions at home – this is okay – they are in charge! At school you will be on our network so there will be limits to which websites you can access. Your browsing activity can also be monitored at school even if you delete your browser history. Teachers will also be allowed to look at what you have on your iPad. You will also be able to be locked into certain Apps or locked out of the iPad all together.
Can I use my iPad at lunch and recess?
No
Can we use it during free time?
If your teacher says you can work on a personal project once you have completed any set learning tasks in the classroom, you may be allowed to use your iPad for these times. The rule about non-educational games will apply at these times.
Would I use the iPad for dictionaries etc. in spelling time?
Of course!
What type of case would we need?
We suggest you get a “kid proof” case that will withstand a few accidental drops of your iPad! We are looking into special school cases at the moment.
How do I get to the portal?
Your parents will receive the information in a letter or on the blog, about how to access the purchasing portal.
If I buy an iPad mini from the portal how much will it cost?
Have a look for yourself. Here is the link
http://www.compnow.com.au/sjs-tranmere
Can I use my iPad in OSHC?
You will be allowed to use your iPad in OSHC for the purpose of homework only. You will not be allowed to use it for games.
Can I print from my iPad?
iPads can print, but you will not need to at school.
What if someone else breaks your iPad?
Just as if someone broke your personal property now, the same natural consequences would apply and the leadership team would be involved. Leadership would investigate the situation and work with students and families to come to an acceptable resolution.
What about safety and security in school?
Your iPad will be kept locked inside your classroom during recess and lunch or if you are all out of the room for any reason eg Japanese. For this reason, the teachers will no longer allow students to return to classrooms during recess or lunch to collect hats, money, return books from “catch up”, etc.
Why can’t my younger sister/brother bring hers/his to school?
Only students in Upper Primary will be allowed to bring their own iPad to school.