This policy refers to the use of Personal Electronic Devices on the college site. This includes such devices as;
- Mobile Phones
- MP3 Players (e.g. iPods)
- BYOD devices – iPad or Laptop Computer; and
- Other Electronic Devices such as Portable Game Consoles and DVD Players which are banned at Baldivis Secondary College.
Rationale:
Educational research abounds which clearly shows that the appropriate use of technology in the classroom enhances the educational experience and supports stronger educational outcomes for students. To ensure that we are able to engage our young people in a variety of learning activities to attend to their variable learning styles, we are tapping into the use of technology in a rich and meaningful way and are in tune with the reality that many students are in possession of and using IT devices in their everyday world.
In order for us to be able to ensure the safety of all our students in our care and maintain the good order of the College it is necessary for us to place some restrictions of the use of these electronic devices on the college site.
Using inbuilt cameras (still and video) in portable devices such as mobile phones, iPods, and tablets or similar to film people and their activities without their knowledge and/or permission is an invasion of privacy and will not be tolerated.
Unauthorised use of these devices may also compromise the College’s control of its internet access and acceptable usage policy, including aspects of the College’s anti-bullying policy as well as leading to an unacceptably slow rate of data transmission for authorised use in class activities.
Largely, the management of personal electronic devices in the classroom setting is primarily considered to be a classroom management issue and failure to comply with the college policy is regarded in the same way as any other breach of classroom behaviour standards.
Aim:
To ensure the privacy and security of all members of Baldivis Secondary College is respected and the teaching and learning program is not negatively affected by portable electronic devices being used inappropriately.
Restrictions:
Students may use their personal electronic devices before or after school or during recess and lunch breaks, without the first gaining the permission of a teacher. However the use of these devices is restricted on college grounds as follows;
- Staff and students are expected to display courtesy, consideration and respect for others whenever they are using any personal electronic device.
- Personal electronic devices should not be used in any manner or place that is disruptive to the normal routine of a school.
- Unless the student has been given permission by their classroom teacher, personal electronic devices must be switched off or on silent and out of sight in class.
- When not in use, personal electronic devices must be switched off or on silent.
- Personal electronic devices must be switched off or on silent and out of sight at all assemblies, presentations and briefings.
- The use of a device and its embedded camera for both still and video photography may occur only with the express permission and supervision of the classroom teacher for curriculum purposes. Internet access by devices may also only occur under the direction and supervision of the classroom teacher for curriculum purposes.
- Under NO circumstances are students permitted to photograph or film other individuals without their consent; download and/or display inappropriate material including pornographic images; send harassing or threatening text messages (SMS) or multimedia messaging (MMS) messages or use a personal electronic devices to cheat during assessment. Such behaviour is considered to be a serious breach of school discipline and will be dealt with accordingly.
- Under NO circumstances may students use their personal electronic device to contact home and make arrangements to leave the college. Any student who is feeling unwell at college must report to Student Services in the first instance.
- Under NO circumstances are students permitted to access Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or any other social media platform during school hours.
- Where parent/guardians need to contact their children urgently during the college day, it is preferred they contact the college on (08) 9523 3600.
- Personal electronic devices are not to be used or switched on inside toilets and/or change rooms.
- Personal electronic device are used at their owners’ risk and students should ensure they are always stored in a safe and secure place.
- The college accepts no responsibility for personal electronic devices that are brought to school and undertakes no responsibility to investigate their damage, misplacement, loss or theft.
Headphones:
- Students are only permitted to use in-ear headphones within the college grounds.
- Students are expected to always have in-ear headphones available for use with their personal electronic device.
- For safety reasons, students are only permitted to wear headphones in one ear, unless otherwise advised.
Emergency Situations:
- In the event of an emergency situation students are not to use their personal electronic device to photograph or record events, send emails or text messages or make phone calls without the prior consent of a teacher.
- Any student who does so without the prior consent of a teacher during an emergency situation will be deemed to have committed a serious breach of college discipline.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Bring your own device (BYOD) refers to technology models where students bring a personally owned device to school for the purpose of learning.
Years 7, 8 and 9
The preferred device for our Year 7, 8 and 9 students is an iPad with the following minimum specifications;
• iPad – 16GB WIFI only
• 10” screen is recommended
• Please note that if the iPad has 3G capabilities the SIM card is not to be used at school.
Years 10, 11 and 12
Department of Education recommended models include:
• Portable Computer, with Microsoft Office (2010 minimum) Student edition installed
• Minimum of 4GB RAM
• i5 Processor or AMD – A6 Processor
• 13” screen preferred
• Wi-Fi – a/b/g/n (preferred) b/g/n minimum
Students are not permitted to connect to the college’s wireless network using any device other than their BYOD. Students will need to ensure that they use the College network and Internet connection responsibly as outlined in the college’s Computer Network and Acceptable Use Policy and as directed by their teachers.
Roles and Responsibilities
Students
Students must at all times use their device and the College network in an acceptable and responsible manner. Students will need to:
- Bring their device, fully charged to the College every day. It is recommended that the device is charged overnight as there will be no facility to charge the device at the College.
- Adhere to the Portable Electronic Devices Policy and the Acceptable Network Usage Policy at all times.
- During class time, all data (i.e. documents, images, files, folders etc.) are to be saved on the device unless otherwise instructed by the teacher.
- All data must be backed up each night by the student (e.g. to an external hard-drive or to the cloud). Lost data in malfunctioning devices will not be an acceptable reason for submitting work late – the student will need to show evidence of work in progress via their backups.
- Ensure that images on the desktop or stickers are appropriate for school.
When transporting the device to and from the College and during the school day, it is recommended that students:
- Ensure the device is in a protective cover.
- Keep the device in a school bag.
- Never leave the device unattended.
College Staff
Teachers at Baldivis Secondary College will monitor the use of the devices in class and provide instruction and guidance to students with regard to appropriate use.
Teachers will develop programs that incorporate the use of the technologies available to enrich the learning experiences of students.
It is not a requirement that the devices will be used every lesson; the teacher will decide, based on the particular task at hand, if it is appropriate to use the device during the lesson.
Parents
Parents/guardians will need to supply an acceptable device for their child to use during school hours.
It is recommended that parents/guardians have access to the device and occasionally check the software and other files saved on it to ensure that they are legal, ethical and suitable for school.
Access to the Internet out of school hours will be via the home Internet account and at the cost of the parent/guardian or students.
Damage, Vandalism and/or Loss of Electronic Devices
Student and parents/guardians must accept full responsibility for the care and use of the device. Baldivis Secondary College does not accept responsibility for the theft or loss of the device (in part or whole) or any accessories. It is recommended that families check their personal insurance coverage details for events of loss or damage to devices and if not already covered, elect to purchase or include suitable insurance for the device, recognising that there is an inherent risk associated with bringing electronic devices to school.
Devices will need to be returned directly to the supplier from whom the device has been purchased or leased by the student or parent. The College is not able to assist in these instances due to warranty restrictions. Students are able to borrow a loan device from the library if their personal device will be unavailable for any length of time.
Technical Support
To enable the efficient and effective use of the student-owned electronic devices during school hours, students will be given access to the College network. Students will be taught and given supporting documentation on how to access College network facilities.
Technical support will only be available during normal school hours to assist with connection to our network. If a student is experiencing a problem with their device, it must be reported immediately.
Technical support is not provided for hardware or software problems that may occur with devices (this could void your warranty). Such assistance remains the personal responsibility of the student /parent/ guardian as a private matter.
Misuse and Breaches of the Portable Electronic Devices Policy and/or Acceptable Network Usage Policy
If a student is found to have misused their device, there are a range of sanctions which may apply including, but not limited to:
- Loss of some or all network privileges for a period of time
- Suspension from school
- Reporting of a criminal offence to the Police
Where there is reasonable cause to suspect that material contrary to the ethos of the College and this policy is being brought to school on an electronic device, the College will confiscate the device and conduct a search for the material. Parents/guardians will be contacted prior to the search being conducted.
Consequences of Breaching the School Personal Electrical Devices Policy
- Inappropriate use of any personal electronic device at school (e.g. inappropriate messaging or emailing, distributing photographs) will be considered a serious breach of discipline.
- Teachers have the right to confiscate items under the following circumstances; where a mobile phone ringsin class or during an assembly; where the personal electronic device is being used in class without the prior permission of the teacher; where the personal electronic device is seen by a teacher during an assembly; and/or where a portable electronic device such as a Portable Game Console or DVD Player is seen at any stage on the school site.
- When an item is confiscated by the teacher it will be placed into an envelope, clearly labelled with the date and time, the teacher’s name and the student’s name. The item will then be handed to the Front Office as soon as possible, where it will be logged and stored securely.
- The name of the student will be recorded in case there are further breaches of this policy and an Info Sheet completed to ensure that parents/guardians are informed that their child has breached the college’s Personal Electronic Devices Policy.
- In the case of a first offence the student can pick up the item from the School Principal at the end of the day.
- In the case of a second offence confiscated items will not be returned to the student, but are to be collected by a parent/guardian.
- A subsequent breach of the college Personal Electronic Devices Policy will again result in confiscated items not being returned to the student, and a parent/guardian will need to collect the item. Students will then be required to log the device into and out of the Front Office each day. If the device is essential for the student to engage in lessons, they will be permitted to collect the device as required.
- If the student refuses to immediately hand the item over to the teacher, the matter will be referred immediately to the School Principal. An Info Sheet will be completed ensuring that parents/guardians are informed that their son/daughter has breached the College Personal Electronic Devices Policy and failure to follow the directions of a teacher.
- If a student is found to have recorded, photographed or filmed other individuals without their consent; downloaded and/or displayed inappropriate material including pornographic images; sent harassing or threatening text messages (SMS) or multimedia messaging (MMS) messages or used a personal electronic devices to cheat during assessments the device will be immediately confiscated and the matter referred to the Deputy Principal.
- Students who send threatening, inappropriate, and/or harmful messages to other students during the course of the day will be dealt with within the parameters of the college’s BMIS policy. Continued breaches of these guidelines may result in a student being suspended from college.