B.Y.O.D Frequently Asked Questions Q. What should I look for when purchasing a device? What operating system are you already comfortable using? (Apple/PC/Android, etc.) Does the device have wi-fi? Is it comfortable / easy to type on? Students may be required to type papers using this device so a keyboard may be preferable. Can I connect an external USB to it? (i.e. keyboard, mouse, flash drive) Does it have a camera? Video? NOTE: There will be a Vendor Fair for students and their parents at Tri-West Middle School on July 29, 2015 from 9 AM 12 PM and 1 PM 7:00 PM. Many vendors will be there for you and your student to choose a device from for private purchase. Q. Which is better? Mac or PC? Android or ios? Chromebook Operating System? A. We do not advocate one operating system over another. All have their own strengths and weaknesses. The only requirement is that the device is able to access My Big Campus and any other site the teacher requires. Q. How will my Student s device be secure from being stolen? A. There are several optional software options on the market i.e. Prey is a very simple and free option for this http://preyproject.com it is the best one we have tested. It is ultimately the student s responsibility to keep track and maintain his/her property. Q. How will theft, loss, or damage of a personally owned device be handled in a school? A. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.
Q. Is there technical assistance provided to access the wireless network? A. Since there are literally hundreds of devices that could be brought to school as part of the BYOD program, there is no technical assistance provided other than providing the name of the wireless connection. Students will be expected to know how to connect their devices Q. Will my Student be safe on the Internet? A. At North West Hendricks Schools we use LightSpeed web filtering, this filters ALL content going in and out of the District as if they were using a device owned by North West Hendricks Schools, it is geared toward the educational environment Q. What if the student does not have Internet Access at home? A. Students will be able to access My Big Campus and MS Office 365 offline. If a student without Internet access at home needs to create a document, they can use a free program called Kingsoft or if they have an Android device they can use DocsToGo. [Specific instruction will be proved to those students as needed.] My Big Campus Students will be able to access My Big Campus through their Mobile App while connected to a Network, go to their class and click on the bundle they wish to save for offline viewing. They will do this by CLICKING STASH. The bundle is then saved locally. They should NOT LOG OUT OF MY BIG CAMPUS! IF THEY DO THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT THEY JUST STASHED. To view what has been stashed they will navigate to their DRIVE in My Big Campus to access the bundle. [This function will be available later this summer.] Q. May the students use their 3G/4G device? A. Students may use their 3G/4G network if they would like. However, not all areas in the buildings will have access to 3G/4G data. In addition, you may be charged for data use by your data carrier. Also, when using data, students are not covered by Federal CIPA (Child Internet Protect Act) laws. We recommend that they connect their device to the NWHSC open network [known as NWHSC Access] so that they do not have to use their 3G/4G data plans. The North West Hendricks School s network will be opened so that students can safely access any acceptable site [following CIPA standards] using our web filtered network. Q. Will North West Hendricks Schools staff be responsible for troubleshooting and fixing students devices? A. No! The student and his/her parents are responsible for care, upkeep and any software needed for the device to be used on a daily basis.
Q. If a student already owns a device, do they need a new one? A. No, as long as the device is functioning properly and is able to Connect to the Internet, a student may use a device that he/she already owns. Q. Are students expected to use the devices at both school and home? A. Yes. One of the goals of BYOD is continuous access as a way to build information literacy. This means access to the learning tools on a device at home and school. Some homework assignments will require students to use a digital device. Q. May students install software on their devices? A. Yes. If students have administrative rights to their devices they may install their own applications, provided that such applications do not violate the school's acceptable use policy. We always recommend running software downloads and updates at home as a way to prevent network congestion and slowdowns. Q. Do students have access to power outlets throughout the day? A. Students are expected to come to school each day with their devices fully charged. If there is a need to connect a device to a charger during class, most classrooms will be equipped with power strips for students to use if their battery is running low, but a few classrooms and spaces on campus do not have plentiful outlets and power strips for charging. Students are expected to use their devices in a way that conserves power so that they are available for use during classes. Students should be sure to charge devices at regular intervals as needed. Q. What software do students need on their devices? A. Anti-virus is required for all computers running the Mac or Windows operating systems. Free versions of anti-virus software are available for both Mac and PC but it is recommended to buy a good Anti-virus/Malware software from a local vender Most internet providers i.e. Comcast, Bright House, AT&T U-verse offer Anti-virus with your home internet service. Microsoft Office or a comparable application can be used for Offline use but it is also available for use online use at North West Hendricks Office 365 that your student already has access to through the district home page
Q. Are students required to back up their devices? A. Your student is responsible for the content on their device. North West Hendricks has SkyDrive available for the student to store the school work to an online storage container through the Microsoft 365 product on our Home Page or My Big Campus. These are products your students are using in our district already. Q. What if students forget their device and need it for class? A. This will be handled according to each teacher s policy in the same way that happens when students forget their textbooks or assignments. Q. What about students who cannot afford their own device? A. North West Hendricks School Corporation will provide students with a device if they cannot afford one of their own. In all cases some type of ownership agreement will be required. Q. What if my student has a device but I would prefer they don t bring it to school? A. We will provide a device for them. However, the device cannot be taken off of school property. Q. Will my student(s ) have access to the same programs he/she does when using a school computer? A. No. Students will not have access to programs such as Microsoft Office. However, the online version is available to them through Microsoft Office 365. This can be reached through the corporate website www.hendricks.k12.in.us. Programs such as Harmony and My Big Campus are web based and will be available just as they as have been. [Harmony & My Big Campus both have a mobile apps that can be downloaded free]
Q. Will all the teachers be using the device every day in every class? A. No. Individual class work will be determined by the teacher. Use each day will be driven by the curriculum using a blended learning model. Q. What happens if a student uses his/her device in an unacceptable way? A. The newly adopted Responsible Use Policy covers this. In all cases, students will be expected to become responsible for the use of their device in achieving their educational goals.