Digital technology
In the Australian Curriculum, students develop Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability as they learn to use ICT effectively and appropriately to access, create and communicate information and ideas, solve problems and work collaboratively in all learning areas at school and in their lives beyond school. ICT capability involves students learning to make the most of the digital technologies available to them, adapting to new ways of doing things as technologies evolve and limiting the risks to themselves and others in a digital environment. [ACARA - 2016].
BYOD Program
All students are required to have a device for learning and are expected to bring their device charged and ready for use to school every day. A student device is an integral tool for learning and assessment.
What is BYOD?
- BYOD recognises that technology and choices about technology are very much personal.
- BYOD acknowledges technology in education enhances opportunities to meet specific curriculum requirements.
- BYOD is designed to give you, as students and families, freedom to make technology choices that suit you and all your circumstances.
How does it work?
Students in the above year levels/courses are required to bring a laptop to school every day. Recommendations as to the model of device which students choose to bring are based on technical specifications rather than brand or model of device. Students and parents/carers are required to sign a User Charter Agreement (PDF, 768KB) that sets out how the device can be used at school. A member of the school staff, the BYOD Technical Support Officer, is available to answer questions and to give assistance. However, the school does not manage, support, own or warranty the device - it's your device. At school level, there is management of student owned devices via the ‘BYOD Solution’. This provides students with a secure log in to the school’s network enabling access to in-school digital resources and the internet, at all times protected by Education Queensland’s filtering and reporting systems.
What type of device can we bring?
A range of devices in a range of price categories that meet the device specification (PDF, 768KB) requirements.
Minimum specifications
- Windows PC/tablet with i3 (or equivalent for juniors) or i5 (or equivalent for seniors)
- Windows 11
- Minimum of 8GB RAM
- Device must have 5GHz 802.11n support
- Minimum battery life of 8 hours to cover the school day
Required software
Microsoft Office – ‘Microsoft Office Student Advantage’ allows students to install the Office suite of software at no cost to families. Microsoft Office can be downloaded from the school website: Support and Resources > Student Resources > BYOD. On this page there is also a step-by-step guide for the installation.
**Microsoft Office suite is best installed at home. Students must have an EQ login/email address to download office.
Antivirus - All Windows devices have Defender pre-installed as anti-virus software. This is more than adequate for BYOD devices. Please ensure Defender is up to date and turned on prior to students bringing their laptops to school.
Adobe Creative Cloud collection – is available, to all students studying arts/multimedia/photography at the school. Smithfield State High subscribes to the Adobe Software Agreement which offers students this access. This is a requirement for any student studying a multimedia subject.
Other items the school recommends parents/carers purchase
- Protective case
- Pointing device (mouse or stylus)
- Warranty (Next Business Day (NDB) Warranty is STRONGLY recommended)
- Accidental Damage Protection insurance (ADP) preferably from the manufacturer
Where do I purchase a BYOD computer/tablet
The school does not prescribe a brand or model of computer but rather recommends a device that meets Device Specifications. Computers/tablets can be purchased locally. As mentioned above, the school highly recommends that Onsite Warranty and Accidental Damage Protection Insurance are purchased with the device as the cost of repairs can be extremely expensive. Smithfield State High School has BYOD portals with the following vendors:
Why do we operate a BYOD program?
The BYOD program was first implemented in 2015 for students interested in using their own computer at school. BYOD has been implemented to replace the Digital Education Revolution (DER) program which ended in 2013.
Teaching staff expressed a desire to expand the computer usage across the school. This allows each subject to move from physical to electronic texts over time, to deliver lessons with a unified teaching methodology across all year groups and to bring rich learning experiences to all students. All faculties are committed to developing increased integration of the BYOD program over the coming years.
I'm concerned about the costs
The purchase of a device is a major decision and a significant expense. A good quality device may last from Year 7 to Year 10 and, viewed over four years, the expense is considerably less. Smithfield State High School has taken strides to integrate student computing device usage into many aspects of teaching and learning. This investment allows the school to maximise learning outcomes for all students.
The school is committed to our obligations as a public education institution to deliver the same learning outcomes to all our students, no matter their families' financial means.
We have developed an Equity Policy (PDF, 1052KB) to operate alongside our BYOD Policy. The Equity Policy outlines a number of strategies the school may take, in consultation with you, to augment access to information and communication technologies.
I'm concerned about device security
The school does not own BYO devices, support the device or warranty the device. Experience from the previous Commonwealth-funded Digital Education Revolution scheme indicates that students who took good care of their device and considered themselves the device's owner rarely had device security issues.
If you are concerned the device is going to be broken, lost or stolen, you may wish to consider specific accidental damage insurance for the device. You can specifically list the item on your home contents insurance, or you can purchase an Accidental Damage Protection Insurance plan for your student’s device. Accidental Damage Protection is available as an option for all devices with the Acer and Dell portals.
Details and feedback
If you have questions or feedback on the Smithfield State High School BYOD Program, you can contact the Bring Your Own Device Delivery Team:
byod@smithfieldshs.eq.edu.au