Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
"Bring your own device" (BYOD) is an organisational model for the provision of technology in schools whereby students bring a personally owned and managed device to school for the purpose of learning. A personally owned device is any technology device brought into the school and owned by a student (or the student's family). BYOD is a solution where students bring their own device to school in order to have access to learning software and the internet via the school Wi-Fi network.
BYOD Student Responsibilities
Operating System and anti-virus: Students must ensure they have a legal and licensed version of a supported operating system and of software. Students must ensure that updates are installed regularly and remain current. Android OS is not proxy friendly and few apps work within a proxy environment.
NSW Department of Education Wi-Fi network connection only: Student devices are only permitted to connect to the department’s Wi-Fi network while at school. There is no cost for this service.
Battery life and charging: Students must ensure they bring their device to school fully charged for the entire school day. No charging equipment will be supplied by the school.
Theft and damage: Students are responsible for securing and protecting their devices at school. Any loss or damage to a device is not the responsibility of the school or the Department. It is recommended that the device is labelled with name and contact details.
Confiscation: Students' devices may be confiscated if the school has reasonable grounds to suspect that a device contains data which breaches the BYOD Student Agreement or the NSW DoE terms and conditions for internet access at school.
Maintenance and support: Students are solely responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their devices.
Data back-up: Students are responsible for backing-up their own data and should ensure this is done regularly. NSW DoE provides students with access to Google and Microsoft 365 cloud storage.
Insurance/warranty: Students and their parents are responsible for arranging for insurance and should be aware of the warranty conditions.
NSW DoE software for students
All NSW Department of Education school students are eligible for free download and licence Microsoft Office software as part of the Enterprise Agreement. Students are also provided access to Microsoft 365 and G Suite (Google Apps for Education). Students are provided with a username and password which gives them access to their school email account and the link to all other tools for learning from the Student Portal at https://student.det.nsw.edu.au
Why BYOD?
It is widely acknowledged that technology plays a huge role in students' everyday lives and should, therefore, be an integral part of their learning. BYOD recognises that many students already own devices that are superior and more up-to-date than those available in schools.
SSC Balmain has phased in the implementation of a BYOD solution and, with the support of the P&C, has now adopted a BYOD model across Years 7-10. Students are allowed to use their own devices while at school for educational purposes.
Access to the internet will be provided by the wireless network. The school retains the right to control the manner in which computer resources are utilised. Students must understand the limitations imposed on their use of computer resources whilst at school. Students wishing to use computers/BYOD devices while at SSC Balmain Campus are required to read and agree to abide by the guidelines in the BYOD student agreement which will be provided.
Suitable Device
SSC Balmain does not endorse smart phones as a suitable singular device for use in the classroom.
Laptops and MacBook’s are generally considered more suitable devices for learning as they provide better capabilities and flexibility than mobile phones. Students should consider the rigor of their current stage related course/s when selecting a BYOD device. Chromebooks can be used but Chromebooks may not be compatible with all programs and software that are currently being used in Year 7-10 curriculum as they are more limited and restricted in capability. SSC Balmain does not recommend Chromebooks or tablets like iPads
As parents, you are concerned about your child keeping his/her device safe. In a BYOD environment, devices are out in the open, so students are more aware of their devices. Typically, we see few thefts and lost devices.
Ultimately, though, students are responsible for lost, stolen and/or damaged personal electronic devices, just as they are for any other personal items they bring to school. Please ensure all items are labelled with the name of your child.
Students are living and working in a world where people use their devices regularly. They need to learn to use technology safely, effectively, ethically and respectfully. The SSC Balmain Positive Behaviour for Learning Policy expects students to embrace the responsible use of personal devices in keeping with school expectations and NSW Department of Education digital citizenship guidelines.
Software Advice
Google Apps for Education is a rich set of web applications that at its core includes website creation, collaboration, document editing and shared calendars. Google Apps for Education provides an environment for students and staff to work with a set of customisable services. Best of all, these tools are available anytime, anywhere there is internet access.
Google Apps for Education can help students and teachers to:
- Create simple class, group or student websites (Sites)
- Complete, store and share school work on any device with an Internet connection, no special or costly software required (Drive/Docs)
- Work collaboratively on documents, presentations, spreadsheets and more. Anytime, anywhere even at the same time (Drive/Docs)
- Create, deliver and collate surveys and tests (Forms)
- Launch a digital classroom and manage class content electronically (Classroom)
Some of the Apps and its usability
Docs/Drive
With Google Docs/Drive, teachers and students can easily collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and slide-show presentations. These documents are stored securely in the cloud where anyone you share them with (but only those people) can work on them—either individually or all at the same time. Great for:
- Group-work
- Timely feedback and reflection
- Formative assessment
- Collaboration and peer assessment
Sites
This tool allows students and teachers to create websites using easy to use templates. Great for:
- Class websites
- Student learning journals/portfolios
- Assignment tool to giving students an opportunity to demonstrate and then share their learning and expertise
- (NB Students cannot create sites independently, teachers will need to initiate this process)
Classroom
Classroom is a simple and easy to use electronic portal for online classroom management.
Great for:
- Creating and managing online assignments, complete with a turn it in facility
- Communicating with class members
- Hosting an online forum
- Providing meaningful feedback to students
Further information can found at:
Microsoft Office 365 is a set of web-based applications that enable collaboration and creation in the classroom. This service includes online versions of popular Office products such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. In addition, it offers collaboration and sharing opportunities via OneDrive and OneNote. Information about using this service can be found at the Microsoft Office 365 Learning Center.
View this NSW DoE Microsoft O365 (PDF 3497) highlighting how Office 365 can be used within DEC schools.
Microsoft OneNote
All your notes—in one place and with you, anywhere. OneNote is your digital binder for to-dos, classroom and meeting notes, group projects, and anything else you need to capture and collaborate on, physical or digital. Write by hand, type, record, snap a picture, or clip from the web and OneNote saves it.
Organised or not, you can easily find your notes in any form (text, writing, picture, or audio) with OneNote search. OneNote is integrated with the Office applications you already use (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) so you can annotate and organise them within your other notes.
If you're working with others, or just working on the go, OneNote has free apps for all your devices: PCs (desktop and Windows Store), Windows Phone, Mac OS, iOS(iPads), and Android phones. Have a browser but no OneNote? You've got the OneNote Online to get things done. For group projects you can share a single notebook with a link and see what other team members are contributing on virtually anytime, anywhere.
OneNote has the potential to be your one stop organisational shop for your busy student life.
Minimum Device Requirements
To participate fully in lessons and connect to the DoE wireless network, devices must meet all of the following:
Form Factor Laptop
2-in-1 hybrid, or tablet with physical keyboard Keyboard must have separate, physical A–Z and 0–9 keys that depress when pressed.
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 11 Apple macOS 11 (Big Sur) or newer IMPORTANT: Chromebooks, Android devices, and iPads are not suitable as they cannot run required learning software.
Screen Size Minimum
11 inches Maximum: 14 inches
Battery Life
Advertised battery life of at least 5 hours
Wireless Compatibility
Must support 5 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11ac, WiFi 5 or WiFi 6). Devices that only support 2.4 GHz cannot connect to the DoE network.
Storage
Minimum: 128 GB SSD Recommended: 256 GB or more, especially for subjects involving media creation.
Memory (RAM)
Minimum: 8 GB Recommended: 16 GB for electives involving audiovisual, graphics, or coding tasks.
Accidental loss and breakageinsurance
Protective case or padded sleeve
All devices must meet the following software specifications:
General Education Software
-
A modern web browser:
Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari (Browsers with built-in VPNs are blocked and cannot be used on the DoE network.)
-
PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Microsoft Software (Free for All DoE Students) Students have access to full Microsoft software through their DoE student portal: Office 365 Online (Student Portal → Learning → Office 365)
- Microsoft Office Desktop Apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, etc.) May be installed on up to 5 computers. (Student Portal → Learning → Office 365 → Install Office)
-
Security & Maintenance Antivirus Software
Windows devices: Windows Defender (built-in) is recommended.
Mac devices: Must install antivirus software (free or paid options available).
Trial antivirus programs (e.g., Norton, McAfee) should be removed after expiry to avoid security issues.
While we understand that families may wish to use parental controls or third-party monitoring software at home, we do not recommend enabling restrictive parental locks on student BYOD devices. These tools can interfere with essential school functions, including:
- Installing required learning software through the DoE network
- Accessing specific websites, online tools, or collaborative platforms used in class
- Running applications that rely on administrator permissions
- Connecting to the school Wi-Fi or authentication systems
Overly restrictive settings can prevent students from participating fully in lessons, submitting online work, or using required curriculum software.
Families who choose to enable parental controls are encouraged to ensure that: The student has permission to install software required for school use The device can connect to external networks without restrictions Web filtering does not block DoE-approved educational resources
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