What is BYOD?
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) allows the older children (years 3-8) at Shotover Primary School the opportunity to bring their own Chromebook to school for personal learning and to take home for extended learning outside the classroom.
From 2021, it will be compulsory for years 6,7, and 8 to have their own Chromebook. We believe that we are developing digital citizens at Shotover Primary School; students who are able and confident users of technology. Chromebooks are valuable tools that make your child’s learning obvious in that they can share their learning, questions, and work with their mentors, peers and parents in real-time. Your child will be encouraged to produce creative work that expresses their interests and demonstrates their learning.
Your children's safety is always our first priority and Chromebooks allow a safe environment for students to work and explore subjects. The content of your child’s device is viewable by mentors whilst at school to ensure appropriateness.
What is a Chromebook?
A Chromebook is a Google laptop which runs a Chrome operating system to perform a variety of learning tasks. They are used while connected to the internet as all work is saved online rather than on the device.
Research has shown that BYOD programmes are most successful when students use the same devices and programming, so we ask that if a child brings a device to school, it is a Chromebook that has been whitegloved (more information about whitegloving below).
What makes a Chromebook different to a tablet or laptop?
All your work is done in a browser - no complicated software to install.
They are durable and designed to survive drops and bumps (within reason).
All of your work is saved on the web (not on the device). Your apps, documents and settings are all stored safely, so you have constant access to your work, even if using another computer. Saving your work on the web also means you'll have ample storage space.
You can surf the web anytime, anywhere. Chromebooks connect quickly to your preferred wireless networks.
They start up fast and last all day.
Your device will always be up-to-date. Each time you turn your Chromebook on, it automatically updates itself with the latest features, hardware, system updates and anti-virus software.
You can safely share your device, not your information. People can sign in with their Google Accounts on their devices to access their own Chrome apps, bookmarks, and settings or they can browse the web as a guest, without signing in. Either way, your personal files are never accessible outside your account.
You are protected by built-in security. Each webpage and application you visit runs in a restricted environment. So visiting one page that’s been infected with something malicious can’t affect anything else on your computer.
What happens to the Chromebook when my child leaves school?
When a student leaves Shotover Primary School they will need their own personal Google account to continue working on a Chromebook. This needs to be created with parent permission (we recommend that you remember your child's password). You may also choose to on-sell your child’s Chromebook to another Shotover Primary School student or pass it along to a younger sibling.
The device needs to be deprovisioned from our organization so that it can be used outside of Shotover Primary School and powerwash to restore to a factory default.
It is also worth considering that Chromebooks have an approximate lifespan of three years.
What is Whitegloving?
Previously White-gloving had to be done in Dunedin, but we now have the ability to do this in school. There is a $15 charge to do this and it must be done on any Chromebook used at school. The charge for White-gloving will go against your school account.
You can buy a Chromebook through Cyclone or any electronic store locally. If you buy a Chromebook through Cyclone then it comes ready to be used - already white-gloved.
If you have any queries regarding this, please contact Arnold Santos who is our IT guru, arnoldsantos@shotover.school.nz. Arnold is at school on Mondays and Wednesdays during the school term.
Guidelines for bringing Chromebooks to school
At school, all BYOD devices remain the responsibility of the child
Chromebooks are brought to school for learning only
Children are encouraged to bring their device daily
Routines will be put into place that support children looking after devices
The school is unable to take responsibility for lost or damaged devices
The school will take on an ‘all care, no responsibility’ approach
Devices sent to school must be clearly named, in sound working order, fully charged and covered by the parents’ contents insurance policy
Network access is from 9am until 3pm on school days
The school is unable to provide technical support.
Purchase information
To purchase a Chromebook and find out more about pricing, contact any store or supplier for the latest offering.