BRING YOUR OWN APPROVED DEVICE POLICY

The increasing availability of personal mobile devices has accelerated the demand for new models of learning. Bring Your Own Approved Device (BYOAD) has become a prominent technological trend in education. This approach is widely adopted in the world to empower students by allowing them the freedom to bring their own personal devices to support educational objectives.

This policy is in line with Beaconhouse’s commitment to providing contemporary, technology-driven education that equips students for success in the digital era. The primary objective of this policy is to foster an environment where students are encouraged to utilise their personal devices enabling seamless integration of technology into the classroom, ensuring equitable access to educational tools, promoting innovation and personalised learning experiences for all.

The policy aims to accomplish the following goals:

• Transitioning Instructional Methods: Shifting towards more engaging and self-directed learning approaches that prioritize student-centred learning, inquiry-based learning, authentic learning experiences, and digital citizenship, with a focus on skills-based education.
• Emphasising 21st Century Learning: Prioritising critical and creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and global and cultural awareness within the education system.
• Increasing Digital Access: Promoting 1:1 computing to ensure every student has access to a digital device and encouraging the use of digital technologies to achieve educational goals.

Implementing the BYOAD policy fosters a sense of responsibility among students and staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND GUIDELINES

It is advised that students and their parents/guardians thoroughly read and comprehend the following responsibilities and guidelines before registering their devices for the school’s Bring Your Own Approved Device (BYOAD) programme:

1) Device Compatibility and Specifications: Students are responsible for ensuring that their personal devices meet the approved specifications provided above by the school. Devices should be compatible with the school’s network and software resources.

2) Device Security and Maintenance: Students are responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of their personal devices, including installing necessary updates and security patches. Devices should have up-to-date antivirus software to protect against malware and other security threats.

3) Responsible Device Usage: Students should use their personal devices solely for educational purposes within the school premises. Devices should not be used for unauthorised activities, such as accessing inappropriate content, engaging in cyberbullying, or violating the school’s code of conduct. Students should use the school-provided storage lockers to keep their devices safe and secure when they are not being used.

4) Network Connectivity and Access: Students must connect their personal devices to the school’s Wi-Fi network as per the instructions provided by the school. The school reserves the right to monitor and manage network usage to ensure a safe and productive learning environment. Use of social media or messaging applications, including but not limited to Facebook, Tik Tok, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat, is restricted on the school network.

5) Data and File Management: Students are responsible for organising and managing their files on their personal devices. Regular backups of important files should be maintained to prevent data loss.

6) Compliance with Tools on Digital Toolkit: The BYOAD programme requires students to use digital tools provided by the school or approved by teachers when using their personal devices for academic purposes. They should understand the tool’s features and limitations, maintain device security, respect intellectual property rights, seek help for technical issues, and be cautious with personal information.

7) Communication via Google Chat Spaces: Students may create Google Chat Spaces with up to ten users, strictly for educational purposes, and only with prior approval from a subject teacher. These Spaces will be reviewed every two weeks by the IT/Admin team. Any Space that exceeds the user limit or is created without teacher approval will be removed. To ensure safe and responsible use of Google Chat Spaces, students must adhere to the following rules:

• Communication within Chat Spaces must remain respectful, focused on learning, and aligned with school values.
• Chat history must remain enabled at all times for transparency and accountability.
• Students may not add or invite participants to a Space without prior consent.
• The creation of multiple linked Spaces to bypass the user limit is not permitted.
• Inappropriate use—including off-topic discussions, spamming, or any form of harassment—will result in disciplinary action.
• Students are expected to report misuse or concerning behavior in any Chat Space to a teacher or school authority without delay.

8) Respect for Others’ Devices and Privacy: Students should respect others’ privacy and personal belongings and must not access or use others’ personal devices without permission.

9) Reporting Issues and Technical Support: Students should promptly report any technical issues or malfunctions with their personal devices to the parent and/or guardian. The teacher can provide assistance by allowing a student to borrow a device in accordance with the duration in the school policy, that is, for no more than 3 days.

10) Compliance with School Policies and Code of Conduct:  To confirm students’ commitment to complying with the school’s policies and code of conduct when using personal devices, students are required to review and submit the ‘Student Device Agreement Form’ available on the student portal. Submission of this form serves as formal acknowledgement of the student’s agreement to adhere to all applicable policies related to personal device usage. Following the student’s acknowledgement, the Agreement Form will be sent to parents and/or guardians for review and consent.

Chromebook Device Access & Lockdown

By outlining ‘Chromebook Device Access & Lockdown’, the aim is to maintain a secure digital learning environment at school while enabling students to fully utilise their Chromebooks at home for learning and personal use.