We are excited to inform you that the Grade 5 Optional “Bring Your Own Device” Pilot Program will be extended over the course of the 2016-2017 school year. Below is some information on the pilot program for those of you whose children will be attending BIFS for Grade 5 next year.
Q: What is a “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) Program?
A: Students bring their own laptop or tablet back and forth from home and school each day, and they use the device for classroom-related activities under the supervision of the teacher.
Q: Why are you doing the pilot? What are some benefits?
A: Our grades 6-12 students bring their devices. We are conducting this pilot in order to assess the effectiveness of BYOD at the fifth grade level. Some of the current benefits include:
A: Yes, the children will continue to have access to school’s devices when in the lab or when carts are checked out. However, when a student owns the device there is a sense of ownership that leads to the students taking better care of their machines and also encourages them to be more creative with how they use their device. It also provides us an opportunity to educate students on proper care and maintenance of their device, such as installation of virus and malware protection.
Q: What types of things will my child do on the laptop?
A: Some examples include:
A: We will follow the same specifications as in the grade 6-12 BYOD Program, which are found on the school’s website. Additionally, we will allow children to use tablets (such as an iPad) as long as they bring an external keyboard as well.
When and how would students be explicitly taught digital citizenship and cyber safety? The students are currently working on this at all grade levels to various degrees. We follow the ISTE standards for technology use, which contains six standards, including safety and responsible use. Additionally, in grade 5, we use Common Sense Media to address digital citizenship and cyber safety through our curriculum.
Our approach to teaching digital citizenship aligns with the IB PYP approach. Therefore the concepts of ethical, safe, and responsible use of technology are taught within the context of other projects and assignments. For example, the students learn to use their Google accounts, in a responsible way, and they apply these skills in doing Unit of Inquiry projects. At the beginning of the year, we will be introducing students to the school's Academic Honesty Policy to support students in their work. When poor choices are made by students (for example, sending an inappropriate email, or sharing of a password), we use these guides for ethical and responsible use of technology and reinforce skills so the student will be better equipped in future decision-making. We feel it is critical to lay a solid digital citizenship and cyber safety foundation in a sheltered homeroom environment so our students are equipped with these skills as they enter Middle School.
What happens when a child's device is 'not working' or 'broken' in class? When a device is not working, a teacher may try to solve the problem if they are able. If assistance is required the teacher may send the student to Mr. Lea or IT Services. If IT Services is not able to solve the issue, they will try to suggest repair options. As with all personal property, BIFS assumes no liability for children’s devices.
Will my child be on the computer all day?As an IB school, we promote “balance”, which includes balancing how and when we use technology versus engaging in other learning opportunities, such as collaborative projects, traditional reading and writing, and physical activity.
Is my child required to participate?No. It is completely up to you whether or not your child will participate.
If you are interested in allowing your child to participate in the Grade 5 BYOD Pilot, you have plenty of time to get ready. We will ask students to keep devices home until the official BYOD launch date of August 31, 2016. We will invite parents to join us for this launch as well.
Q: What is a “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) Program?
A: Students bring their own laptop or tablet back and forth from home and school each day, and they use the device for classroom-related activities under the supervision of the teacher.
Q: Why are you doing the pilot? What are some benefits?
A: Our grades 6-12 students bring their devices. We are conducting this pilot in order to assess the effectiveness of BYOD at the fifth grade level. Some of the current benefits include:
- Consistent and instant access to technology at school and at home for extended learning and creativity development
- More opportunities for teachers to differentiate learning in the classroom
- Varied ways of accessing the curriculum
- Quicker access to the device (reduced time with checking-out, logging in, etc.) which allows for more time on the learning task
- Students become familiar with their device and how to manage it with support from the homeroom teacher and the IT Facilitator as needed. Student learning is then focused on the skills/content/concepts of the program instead of on using and accessing the technology.
- As more students bring devices, teachers can implement their use in more creative ways.
- A sheltered environment for learning how to use the technology, as well as critical issues around digital citizenship.
A: Yes, the children will continue to have access to school’s devices when in the lab or when carts are checked out. However, when a student owns the device there is a sense of ownership that leads to the students taking better care of their machines and also encourages them to be more creative with how they use their device. It also provides us an opportunity to educate students on proper care and maintenance of their device, such as installation of virus and malware protection.
Q: What types of things will my child do on the laptop?
A: Some examples include:
- Working on their e-portfolio and student-led conference presentations
- Reading and writing practice (such as on Raz Kids or using Google Docs)
- Learning about digital citizenship and how to care for their device
- Development of collaborative skills via tools such as the Google Apps for Education (GAFE)
- Guided inquiry and research
- Math skills practice
A: We will follow the same specifications as in the grade 6-12 BYOD Program, which are found on the school’s website. Additionally, we will allow children to use tablets (such as an iPad) as long as they bring an external keyboard as well.
When and how would students be explicitly taught digital citizenship and cyber safety? The students are currently working on this at all grade levels to various degrees. We follow the ISTE standards for technology use, which contains six standards, including safety and responsible use. Additionally, in grade 5, we use Common Sense Media to address digital citizenship and cyber safety through our curriculum.
Our approach to teaching digital citizenship aligns with the IB PYP approach. Therefore the concepts of ethical, safe, and responsible use of technology are taught within the context of other projects and assignments. For example, the students learn to use their Google accounts, in a responsible way, and they apply these skills in doing Unit of Inquiry projects. At the beginning of the year, we will be introducing students to the school's Academic Honesty Policy to support students in their work. When poor choices are made by students (for example, sending an inappropriate email, or sharing of a password), we use these guides for ethical and responsible use of technology and reinforce skills so the student will be better equipped in future decision-making. We feel it is critical to lay a solid digital citizenship and cyber safety foundation in a sheltered homeroom environment so our students are equipped with these skills as they enter Middle School.
What happens when a child's device is 'not working' or 'broken' in class? When a device is not working, a teacher may try to solve the problem if they are able. If assistance is required the teacher may send the student to Mr. Lea or IT Services. If IT Services is not able to solve the issue, they will try to suggest repair options. As with all personal property, BIFS assumes no liability for children’s devices.
Will my child be on the computer all day?As an IB school, we promote “balance”, which includes balancing how and when we use technology versus engaging in other learning opportunities, such as collaborative projects, traditional reading and writing, and physical activity.
Is my child required to participate?No. It is completely up to you whether or not your child will participate.
If you are interested in allowing your child to participate in the Grade 5 BYOD Pilot, you have plenty of time to get ready. We will ask students to keep devices home until the official BYOD launch date of August 31, 2016. We will invite parents to join us for this launch as well.