BYOD Student Guidelines The District will be expanding its Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program to most types and brands of digital devices for the 2015-2016 school year. Students in grades 3 through 12 will be allowed to bring their own device to school. This program is aligned with the district mission to utilize information and communication technology and digital learning resources in a blended learning environment and is based on extensive research and benchmarking. BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE STUDENT GUIDELEINES By offering a BYOD program, we are giving students the option to use a device if this is the way they learn best. It will also increase each student s time using technology to engage them in learning. Bringing a device is completely optional. We will have computers at school for students to use if the lesson requires a device.. The District will continue to add devices to the schools to help supplement devices for students who are not bringing them to school or do not have one. While our teachers are encouraged to use technology to enhance learning, it is also up to the teacher to determine how often devices are used in the classroom. Parents are encouraged to discuss the classroom expectations for BYOD with the teacher. Each student will be required to abide by the Acceptable Use Policy and the BYOD Policy and procedures. Teachers are facilitators of instruction in their classrooms. Therefore, they will not spend time fixing technical difficulties with students personal devices. They will provide guidance on how to use a device, but will not provide technical support. This responsibility will reside at home with parents or guardians In order to participate in the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program certain authorizations and agreements need to be read and signed by student and parent/ guardian. These forms and documents are available online or you may request a hard copy from your school. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program Student Guidelines Authorization to Participate in the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program Responsible Use and Conduct Agreement : Read and signed by the student-participant and his/her parent/guardian Acceptable Use Procedure Read and signed by the student-participant and his/her parent/guardian Information on Children s Online Privacy Protection Act & Parent Resources Additional information can also be obtained by visiting: http://www.qps.org/departments/technology/qps-wireless/ 1
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program Student Guidelines The purpose of the District s BYOD program is to extend and enrich the learning environment. The following guidelines apply to students who participate in the program: Access only the District s Internet gateway. The District filters access to materials that may be defamatory, inaccurate, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate at school pursuant to policy 6:235, Access to Electronic Networks. Make no attempts to bypass the District s Internet gateway. Similar to when a filter is disabled or malfunctions, it is impossible to control all Internet material, and a BYOD participant may discover inappropriate material. It may also be discovered if and/or when sharing a BYOD device with another student. Report inappropriate content and conduct to your classroom teacher. Follow the standards of your parents/guardians. The District respects each family s right to decide whether or not to participate. District-provided technology may be an alternative. Access only authorized data or files on the computer or Internet sites that are relevant to the classroom curriculum and suggested by a teacher. Students are strictly prohibited from infecting the District s network(s) with a virus or malware program designed to damage, alter, or destroy the network, and hacking, altering, or bypassing security policies. Using anti-virus and anti-malware software on BYOD devices is encouraged. The District may examine any BYOD device that it suspects is causing network problems or may be the source of an attack or virus infection. Use of a BYOD device is subject to policy 7:190, Student Discipline. That means BYOD devices are for curriculum-based instruction only. Students must follow any additional guidelines a classroom teacher or the school might impose. The use of BYOD devices may in no way disturb the learning environment. Students are not allowed to use BYOD devices during test administration. When permitted by school rules, students may use BYOD devices before and after school, during lunch break, during after-school activities, and at school-related functions. BYOD devices may be used while riding to and from school on a school bus or on a school sponsored activity, at the discretion of the bus driver, classroom teacher, or sponsor/advisor/coach. Transmit only appropriate content while using the District s electronic network. Students may not use BYOD devices to record, transmit or post photos or audio/video recordings of any person on school property or school-sponsored events without express permission of a teacher or administrator. Any reasonable suspicion of an activity that violates law or Board policies will be treated according to policy 7:140, Search and Seizure. Bullying or sexual material will not be tolerated and will be managed pursuant to policy 7:180, Preventing Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment. Retrieval of devices that become involved in a law enforcement investigation is the student and parent/guardian s responsibility. Charge all BYOD devices prior to school every day. Turn off and keep BYOD devices in the sight of the teacher during assessments, unless otherwise directed by a teacher. Immediately follow any teacher s instruction to shut down BYOD devices or close the screen. All BYOD devices must be in silent mode and put away when directed by teachers. Sharing BYOD devices with other students is not a requirement for participation in the BYOD Program. From time to time, an assignment may have a collaborative component in which students work together in partners or small groups. In this learning situation, students maintain individual control over their device. 2
The Children s Online Privacy Protec on Act & Parent Resources The Children s Online Privacy Protec on Act gives parents control over what informa on websites can collect from their children. Many companies, however, are not providing informa on about what data a mobile app collects, who will have access to that data, and how it will be used. Allowing your child access to games and other seemingly harmless applica ons on a smartphone or computer risks his or her exposure to intrusive marke ng and access to personal informa on. A recent survey of apps for children by the Federal Trade Commission found that 10 percent of apps with social networking services did not disclose their presence; 17 percent of the apps allowed children to make purchases without parent/guardian consent; and 58 percent contained constant adver sing, while less than 20 percent disclosed that adver sing would appear. The following sugges ons may help keep children from being bombarded by unwanted adver sing, from making unwanted purchases and from disclosing personal informa on and loca on: Be choosy about the applica ons that you let your child use. Try the app yourself to check for adver sing messages and/ or social networking and purchase op ons before allowing your child access. Select ac vi es that do not require access to the Internet or an applica on, such as looking at family pictures or listening to preselected music, screened and approved by you. Make certain that the ability to make purchases is password protected. Set up family rules and consequences explaining that all purchases made via a smartphone or computer must have parent/guardian consent. Cau on children about the use of social networking and other sites and/or apps that can pinpoint loca ons. Monitor computer and smartphone use whenever and wherever possible. For more informa on on the Children s Online Privacy Protec on Act, please see the following links: www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/12/kidsapp.shtm www.ftc.gov/opa/reporter/privacy/coppa.shtml An virus So ware Because the devices are owned by you, the QPS is unable to provide you with An virus/an Malware so ware. QPS strongly encourages you to install An virus and/or An Malware so ware on any personally owned devices which you will allow your student to bring to school and to keep the An virus/an Malware so ware up to date at all mes. The following companies provide free an virus solu ons: h p://free.avg.com/us en/homepage h p://www.avast.com/free an virus download h p://windows.microso.com/en US/windows/products/security essen als Internet Safety/Cyberbullying You are encouraged to review the following material on Internet Safety and Cyberbullying with your students. h p://www.ag.state.il.us/children/safety ps.html h p://illinoisa orneygeneral.gov/cyberbullying/index.html Engage your student and be involved. Parents are strongly encouraged to be aware of the programs and apps that their children are installing on their devices as well as the ac vi es that they are engaged in when using the devices. The following are links to websites which provide you with informa on on responsible "Digital Ci zenry" h p://www.digitalci zenship.net/ h p://www.commonsensemedia.org/advice for parents/be good digital ci zen ps teens and parents h p://safely.yahoo.com/expert advice/be a good digital ci zen ps for teens and parents/ 3
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Do I have to supply a device for my child to bring to school? No, it is not mandatory for students to bring a device, even if they do own one. Use of personal electronic devices will be optional. The school will provide access to devices when technology is required. What types of computing devices may my child bring to school? Under this program, any Internet capable electronic mobile device can be brought to school. Devices must have 5GHz 802.11n support. Students will be using their device to complete a variety tasks/activities for class including typing papers, creating presentations, responding to teacher prompts, accessing online educational resources. Please keep this in mind as you are selecting a device. As a minimum, the District recommends a screen size of 9.5 inches and a wireless or wired keyboard. We do not recommend smartphones due to their small screens, small keyboards, and less powerful processors make them less capable of doing academic work. What software is required? No specific software is required. The District will mainly use online resources for instruction. Additionally, teachers will attempt to leverage whatever software is available on the device. There may be an occasion where teachers will ask families to acquire free educational resources. Parents are encouraged to provide protection software on the device to prevent malware and viruses. Does my child have to share his or her device? No. From time to time, an assignment may have a collaborative component in which students work together in partners or small groups. In this learning situation, your child may maintain individual use over their device. Will my child have access to technical support while at school? Your child must be familiar with how to use his or her personal device. Instructions will be available to explain how to access the school WIFI network. However, school personnel will not troubleshoot hardware, software or network issues. Who is responsible for any repairs or updating to personal computing devices? Students and/or their families are responsible for their personal computing devices at all times. Quincy Public School District does not have the technology support staff to repair or update personal computing devices. Who is responsible for damage, loss, or theft of devices your child brings to school? Families must stress the responsibilities their children have when bringing their own computing devices to school. Any devices students bring to school are their individual responsibility. Quincy Public Schools takes no responsibility to search for lost or stolen devices nor is there any assumption of financial responsibility by QPS for damaged, lost or stolen personal computing devices. To aid authorities, it s advised that you label the device, record device details such as make, model, serial number and install tracking software. Will the family need to have Internet access at home? No. It would be helpful, however, to have some form of Internet access (wired or wireless) in order for a child to make full use of school resources from home, as well the multitude of resources available on the World Wide Web. It is not required in order for a child to use a personal computing device at school. Does QPS suggest any other considerations? It may be wise to acquire theft or hazard insurance. If purchasing a new computing device for a child to use at school, we recommend purchasing the extended warranty. 4
REQUIREMENTS FOR QPS BYOD NETWORK: Device must have 5GHz 802.11n support. This may be advertised as Dual Band Wireless, 802.11abgn, 802.11agn, 802.11ac (Note presence of a letter A in the standard.) Note: Devices marketed as 802.11bgn, 802.11 b/g or 802.11n 2.4GHz only will not be able to connect. Ask this question before you buy a device for BYOD The QPS wireless network has a 5GHz (n) wireless network that uses a full range of channels. Will this device connect on all channels in the 5GHz range? Do not purchase a device for BYOD unless the answer is yes. Apple ipad 2 (and newer) Laptops with Wireless N support ipad Air (All Models) Kindle Fire HDX 7" Apple iphone 5 (and later) Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 (and above) Microsoft Surface RT Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (and later models) Microsoft Surface II PRO (and later) Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Dell 3340 laptops Here are a few of the devices which support dual band Wi Fi: If you own a device or looking to purchase one that does not meet these network standards, you can add a Wireless Dual Band USB Network Adapter to certain devices. These adapters are made by Belkin, NetGear, D -Link, Linksys, and others and are available online or locally at Staples, Wal-Mart, and BestBuy. The District recommends the Apple ipad, model 2 and newer, for Grade 3 through 5 and Dell 3340 laptops for Grade 6 through 12. These are the current standard devices for the District. The District has arranged a discount purchasing program for the Dell 3340. More information is available at www.dell.com/mpp/qps. As a minimum, the District recommends a screen size of 9.5 inches and a wireless or wired keyboard. We do not recommend smartphones due to their small screens, small keyboards, and less powerful processors, which makes them less capable of doing academic work. Where can I go to find out if my devices support Dual band Wi Fi? Wi-Fi.org (http://www.wi fi.org/certified products search) maintains a very extensive technical database of wireless device capability; you may use this to do your research on devices you own or are considering to purchase A device is dual band if there is a 1 under 5.0 GHz transmit and receive. 5