BYOD Handbook

Transcription

1 BYOD Handbook Updated: June 2017

2 Overview Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS) recognizes that our students are digital natives; that technology is ubiquitous in their personal and academic lives. Research reveals that students comfort with technology in their personal lives is not synonymous with their mastery of technology to facilitate their learning or collaborate for learning s sake. As such, it is paramount that schools provide leadership for information communication technology skills (ICT skills) in such a way that students learn how to engage with technology ethically and responsibly, while developing key competencies for 21 st Century careers. As a center of teaching excellence, STS integrates technology into the learning experiences of our students, focusing on how technology prepares them for, and supports, life-long learning. Through the use of a variety of devices, including notebook computers, tablets and smartphones, students and faculty have access to a wide variety of technology. These are beneficial tools that can provide opportunities to develop skills and confidence in using these mediums to transform their learning. Such opportunities will enhance their academic experience, provide engaging and enriched educational opportunities, and catalyze learning in both local and global contexts. Collectively this will serve to prepare them for university, careers and community. The adoption of a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program in the Senior School represents the next step at STS in the use of technology to support the development of 21 st Century learning skills in our students. This move to the use of personally chosen devices, software platforms, and applications in the classroom offers greater opportunities for students to experience innovative approaches to constructing knowledge, engage in creative and critical thinking, delve in to realistic problem-solving activities, and enjoy enhanced connectivity and collaboration opportunities all of which support authentic educational outcomes. In short, it is the latest advancement in our leveraging of technology to support student success. 1 P age

3 Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION...3 II. RATIONALE: WHY BYOD?...3 III. CONSIDERATIONS IN PURCHASING A PERSONAL DEVICE...4 A. Deciding on a primary device... 4 B. Other purchase considerations... 6 C. Summary of extra purchase considerations... 8 IV. NETWORK ACCESS & STUDENT EXPERIENCE...9 A. Network and cloud-based software application registration... 9 B. Network usage considerations... 9 C. Network access process... 9 D. Access to network printers and submission of assignments E. File management F. Student preparedness and expectations V. IT SUPPORT AND RESPONSIBLE USE A. IT support B. Security of personal devices C. The STS Responsible Use Agreement D. Administrator access to personal devices P age

4 I. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this BYOD handbook is to provide an introduction to the STS Senior School BYOD program, the rationale for the transition to a BYOD environment, an outline of next steps in the program implementation, and comprehensive guidance to parents and students with respect to the selection and purchase of a primary personal device. All Senior School students will participate in the BYOD program. II. RATIONALE: WHY BYOD? A BYOD program, in concert with robust connections to cloud-based software platforms, provides the following benefits to students and teachers: increased opportunities for personalization of the learning experience where students have choice regarding the tools, applications, and software platforms to support their unique learning needs, individual interests and passions, and optionenhanced opportunities to demonstrate learning in preferred formats increased ability and flexibility for teachers and students to explore the integration of software and technology applications in the classroom to support the development of 21st century learning skills opportunities for students to employ a multiplicity of devices in their learning laptops, tablets, smartphones and to make determinations about appropriateness for particular tasks support of blended-learning instructional models, authentic learning opportunities, and computer simulations increased opportunities to develop digital literacy and digital citizenship skills increased responsibility, sense of pride in ownership, and familiarity with the care, management and use of their own device In order to support the Senior School BYOD program at STS, and the functionality of various computer ecosystems, cloud-based software platforms will be the medium through which students will increasingly operate. Along with the continued use of the Managebac learning management system (LMS) which is compatible with PC, Mac, ios, and Android, BYOD students will also be provided with access to the full suite of productivity and collaborative tools offered through the Microsoft Office cloud-based version, Office 365, as well as through the Google Apps for Education (GAFE) bundle. 3 P age

5 In addition to supporting the operability of different computer ecosystems, cloud-based productivity platforms provide the following benefits: students have access to work and files anytime, anyplace, which improves the personalization of workflows and learning to meet personal schedules and needs as well as increases student engagement with the learning experience ease of file sharing and the wide array of collaborative tools, facilitates generative group work, where teachers and students are able to create and edit documents simultaneously, no matter their location significantly enhanced opportunities for authentic problem-solving experiences, innovation, and access to effective, cutting-edge technologies to support best practice in teaching and learning improved access to external resources and expertise through digital connectivity platforms increased access to digital content and digital learning environments, which are regularly updated, have enhanced functionality such as video, animated diagrams, simulations and online formative assessment tools, which collectively support different learning modalities III. CONSIDERATIONS IN PURCHASING A PERSONAL DEVICE At the core of any BYOD program is personalization and as such, STS does not make any recommendations about specific computer ecosystems or brands. Therefore, the STS network will support PC, Mac and Android devices for its BYOD users. In making a decision on purchasing a device, it is important to consider the appropriateness of the device for the types of work in which it will be employed. Presently, the notebook computer provides the best option for students with respect to versatility, computing power and performance while tablets and Smartphones play wonderful complementary roles with respect to creativity, design and organizational applications. In order to provide support in navigating the purchase experience, the IT Department at STS has provided the following recommended and minimum device specifications which will work to ensure an efficient and enjoyable experience for students: The section below contains the personal device purchase recommendations that STS will provide to parents of students in the BYOD program. A. Deciding on a primary device At the core of any BYOD Program is personalization and as such, STS will not make any recommendations about specific computer ecosystems or brands. Therefore, the STS network 4 P age

6 will support both PC and Mac primary devices for its BYOD users. In making a decision on purchasing a device, it is important to consider the appropriateness of the device for the types of work in which it will be employed. Presently, the notebook computer provides the best option for students with respect to versatility, computing power and performance while tablets and smartphones play wonderful complementary roles with respect to creativity, design and organizational applications. In order to provide support in navigating the purchase experience, the IT Department at STS has provided the following recommended and minimum device specifications which will work to ensure an efficient and enjoyable experience for students: Device specification recommendations PC RECOMMENDATIONS Recommended Minimum Operating System Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Pro Processor Intel i5 or better Core i3 (4th Gen+) or Core M5 RAM 8GB RAM 4GB RAM Wi-Fi Adapter ac (preferably Intel) n (supporting 5GHz) Hard Disk 256 GB SSD 128 GB Antivirus Malware School provided School provided Warrantee/Support 3-year, next day service, accidental protection - Bluetooth 3 No USB 2+ 1 Keyboard Yes Yes Stylus Yes No Touch Screen 5 point No 5 P age

7 MAC RECOMMENDATIONS Recommended Minimum Operating System OSx 10. Yosemite OSx 10. Yosemite Processor Intel i5 or better Core i3 (4 th Gen+) or Core M5 RAM 8GB RAM 4GB RAM Wi-Fi Adapter ac (preferably Intel) n (supporting 5GHZ) Hard Disk 256 GB SSD 128 GB Antivirus Malware School provided School provided Warranty/Support 3-year, next day service, accidental protection - Bluetooth 3 No USB 2+ 1 Keyboard Yes Yes Stylus N/A N/A Touch Screen N/A N/A B. Other purchase considerations i. Warranty and service plans Other important purchase considerations are the warranty and service plans available either directly from the device manufacturer or the retail provider. Not all plans are created equally and should be important considerations in your choice, in addition to warranty repair, related to coverage for parts and labour, accidental forms of damage such as drops, spills or electrical surges and depot versus next-day service. Accidental damage repair can be expensive and depot warranty or repair service may take, at minimum, several days. While the STS IT Department is committed to supporting our BYOD users and will still provide a device loaner pool, the number of devices in the loaner fleet will be limited as will loan terms. To ensure uninterrupted access to technology and a seamless educational experience for your child, STS recommends a three-year plan that offers next-day service as 6 P age

8 well as accident protection. The importance of effective warranty protection cannot be understated. Note: The typical factory warranty does not cover accidental damage including drops, spills, neglect, mishandling, battery performance, loose hinges, and similar wear and tear issues. It typically covers factory defects only. ii. Software At a minimum, student devices will require installation of the recommended PC or Mac operating system. STS will provide BYOD students with the following productivity and creativity software, so they do not need to purchase these when purchasing their devices: a license for the Microsoft Office cloud and device-based productivity suite, Office 365 the full suite of GAFE productivity and collaboration applications through the STS licensed domain a comprehensive anti-virus/malware solution required software for specific course work, such as SmartMusic, Lego Mindstorm or Capstone, will be provided under license by STS Students will also be expected to: have legally obtained software on their devices regularly update their operating system and other software to ensure appropriate function and security of their device avoid downloading software from unfamiliar sites in order to ensure that they do not inadvertently install Spyware on their devices which can compromise the security and functioning of their device Note: Both Office 365 and GAFE ecosystems provide no charge access to mobile versions of their productivity applications. iii. Battery life BYOD students will be able to charge their devices while at school using their own power adaptors, but it is recommended that the battery life of their device provides for a minimum of five hours of charge/work. iv. Screen size A screen size of inches is recommended with screens below this size range producing concerns around utility for academic work as well as eye strain and fatigue. Larger 17 inch screens are associated with significant device weight increases as well as increased draw on battery power. 7 P age

9 v. Storage and memory capacity Student storage and memory needs will, to a degree, be dependent upon the types of course work in which they will be engaging as well as their own personal use needs. Students will have access to generous personal storage space through their school-provided Office 365 and GAFE accounts and are encouraged to use their cloud-based drives for storage as this supports their ability to access their academic files and work collaboratively from any device, anywhere. Solid State Drives (SSD), while somewhat more expensive than older spindle drives, offer significantly improved over-all device performance and additional durability as they are less prone to damage from drops, vibration and mishandling. Device memory (RAM) is an important consideration in the processing performance of a device and typically cannot be changed easily in modern device offerings. Opting for more robust RAM specifications is highly recommended. vi. Interface with external devices Support for USB devices can be useful for file management and connecting other devices (ex data collection tools: Capstone, external mouse). vii. Headphones Students should also purchase a pair of headphones to access audio and video content during class time. viii. Wireless keyboards Students may decide to purchase a wireless keyboard depending on the choice of their primary personal device. If this option is exercised, it is recommended that a wireless keyboard which uses encryption technology is selected in order to protect the privacy of information keyed-in. C. Summary of extra purchase considerations Extra purchases may include: fees for system set up, activation and software installation extended warranty and service protection home insurance rider to cover theft licenses for software not required for course work 8 P age

10 accessories and peripherals e.g. remote mouse, stylus, wireless keyboard, headphones, VGA adapter, USB memory stick or external hard drive charging devices, carrying case or sleeve IV. NETWORK ACCESS & STUDENT EXPERIENCE A. Network and cloud-based software application registration BYOD students at STS will be automatically registered with the STS network portal and will be granted access upon parental sign-off of the STS Responsible Use Agreement (RUA). Additionally, they will be registered with our licensed Office 365 and GAFE domains and will have the opportunity to install a licensed local copy of Office on their primary personal device. This will provide them with seamless access to the STS network and productivity suites. In the event that they face any difficulties with access, they will have the support of the STS IT Department to achieve resolutions. B. Network usage considerations Network access, usage and data are tracked by the STS Network Administrator in the IT Department for all devices connected to the STS network. The STS RUA includes provisions and expectations that apply to devices owned by STS as well as personal devices. STS requires annual parental sign-off approval for the RUA. While all students will also review the RUA through a separate process, supported by their teachers, it is recommended that parents and students review the STS RUA together. C. Network access process Personal devices must be connected to the STS network on a daily basis through the STS network portal, which follows a similar process to one experienced on other open networks such as in hotels or airports. In order to access the STS network, students and guests are required to: open up a web-browser and navigate to any page enter their secure STS network credentials once the login dialog box appears ensure they have the requisite STS network access software if prerequisite STS software (eg. anti-virus/malware protection) is not already installed on the primary personal device, the user can visit the STS BYOD to access step-by-step instructions on downloading the school provided anti-virus solution (Trend Micro OfficeScan ) 9 P age

11 will be redirected to a web page which will provide relevant instructions for installation Once logged-in to the STS network, users will be taken to a navigation page from which they will be able to conveniently access their password protected Managebac, Office 365 and GAFE accounts as well as a host of other school-provided and personally-owned software applications, which support their daily productivity. Users will be permitted access for a maximum of two devices, their primary personal device (eg. laptop computer) and a secondary device (eg. smartphone) for the remainder of the day, but will have to repeat the login procedure each day to obtain renewed access to the STS network. D. Access to network printers and submission of assignments BYOD students logged in to the STS network will be able to access school printers. Increasingly, the submission of assignments and access to course documents occurs digitally through the school s main LMS, Managebac, reducing the need for students to print hard copies of school materials and submissions. Individual teachers will instruct students as to submission requirements. E. File management BYOD students will be instructed on file management protocols for their cloud-based drives, whether they utilize Office 365 or Google Drive. Students in the BYOD program may also save files to the hard drive on their personal device, but will no longer be able to access the school s network servers for such purposes; access to the STS provided student U: Drive for student use will no longer be available. Additionally, it is recommended that students run regular back-ups to a portable drive to ensure the integrity of important files. Students can visit the STS BYOD to access step-by-step instructions on how to map cloud-based drives and printing services. F. Student preparedness and expectations BYOD students are expected to arrive at school every day with their device in good working order, prepared to participate fully in their learning experiences. The following expectations should be taken into consideration by students in order to support high levels of preparedness and appropriate, efficient use of their devices. Students should: clearly label devices, power cords, accessories and bags/sleeves configure their operating system to automatically install updates arrive at school with their primary personal device fully charged take devices home daily to support work off campus 10 P age

12 store their device in secure area when unattended maintain privacy of passwords, usernames and access codes regularly back-up files and run monthly disk clean-ups to remove unwanted or unused files transport devices appropriately (screens closed) and in a sleeve or padded computer bag maintain responsibility for regular maintenance and repairs of BYOD device abide by conditions of appropriate use of STS Network and BYOD device as outlined in the STS Responsible Use Agreement (RUA), the STS Student Code of Conduct, the STS Mutual Respect Policy, and the STS Academic Honesty Policy. All of these documents are available online through the STS Parent Portal under the Policies, Guidelines and Calendars tab. V. IT SUPPORT AND RESPONSIBLE USE A. IT support The STS IT Department will continue to provide support to BYOD users in order to ensure maximization of the student learning experience while on campus. Specifically, department personnel will provide help to students in the event that they experience difficulties with network connectivity or are unable to achieve access to cloud-based platforms. Additionally, general trouble-shooting recommendations will be made, but it will be incumbent upon students to make decisions as to which approaches they will apply when experiencing difficulty with their devices. Due to liability and warranty considerations, STS IT personnel will no longer be able to provide break-fix services to BYOD users. Hardware breakdowns will need to be addressed by warranty approved service outlets, retail locations or through the device manufacturer directly. Students who are not in possession of a functioning device will be able to sign-out a service loaner from IT, but the size of the service loaner fleet will be modest and loan term length will be limited. For software issues, students have access to many resources including teachers, peers, IT personnel, the internet and application help features. Developing knowledge of software applications and the mindset and skillset to effectively troubleshoot and gain confidence in their use is an important objective of the BYOD program at STS. Additional support can be found by visiting the STS BYOD to access step-by-step instructions on how to map cloud-based drives and printing as well as for important downloads of the school provided anti-virus solution (Trend Micro OfficeScan ), security checker and the Quest A+ LockDown browser for examinations. 11 P age

13 B. Security of personal devices Students are responsible for the management and security of their personal devices. It is required that students clearly label their devices, power cords and external hardware and it is recommended that they appropriately personalize their devices with skins, stickers or backgrounds to further aid in identification. Students should also consider the purchase of an appropriate laptop bag or backpack with padded device compartment or a separate padded laptop sleeve for added security during transport. These items should be labelled as well in order to reduce the possibility of mistaken pick-up. Appropriate transport of devices should also be maintained (i.e. screens closed) in order to reduce the risk of damage. Security of a student s personal device and the information contained therein are an important consideration. When not in use, students should store their devices in secured lockers. It is also strongly recommended that BYOD students password lock their devices and ensure that they do not share their device passwords, access codes or usernames for their cloud-based applications or their STS network connection. In the event of a missing device, BYOD users can contact their Divisional Principal or the IT Department for support. In the event a lost device is located, they should be turned in directly to a member of the IT Department. If after hours they can be turned in to any teacher or administrator on campus. C. The STS Responsible Use Agreement The STS Responsible Use Agreement (RUA) governs student access to, and utilization of, the STS network, the use of STS-owned devices and equipment as well as all personal devices, including cellular phones. The STS RUA applies to student behavior and activities while on campus and off campus, and will require annual parental and employee signed assent. Students will also review and approve the RUA through a separate process, supported by their teachers. The RUA is a signed contract between the user and STS which is aligned with the values of the school, as well as the expectations and provisions contained in the STS Student Code of Conduct and the STS Mutual Respect Policy. Its primary intentions are to ensure the safety, security and integrity of our community through the requirements of respectful, responsible and appropriate use of school-owned devices, personal devices and the STS network. 12 P age

14 D. Administrator access to personal devices In order to carry out the responsibilities outlined in the STS RUA, the School s administration will operate under the following provisions: STS firewall protections, with respect to the filtering and blocking of inappropriate web content on STS devices, will also apply to personal devices connected to the STS network to ensure the integrity of the STS network and the safety and security of its users. STS reserves the right to withdraw or limit BYOD privileges and access to the STS network for violations of the STS RUA. Participation in the BYOD program and access to the STS network may be withdrawn for specified periods of time in response to certain contraventions of the STS RUA, STS Student Code of Conduct, the Mutual Respect Policy, or the Academic Honesty Policy. Under such a circumstance, STS will provide alternative workflow supports and opportunities to provide continuity to the student s learning experience. STS can monitor network activity on personal devices and will take disciplinary action if there is reason to believe that a violation of the STS Student Code of Conduct, the Mutual Respect Policy or the Academic Honesty Policy has occurred. In the event of a serious disciplinary violation, STS will move to secure access to personal devices in support of its investigations and evidence gathering. Parents will be notified if such steps are taken by the School. 13 P age