Devices & Network

All schools in BGSD have a public wireless network - PLDN- for students and staff to connect their personal devices. Registration of the devices MAC address is all that is required to bring their own devices, even without a formal Bring Your Own Device project in a school students can still leverage their device for learning. Cell phones, smart watches, gaming device's ae not considered education and therefore are not allowed on the PLDN network. All traffic in BGRS is filtered for inappropriate content regardless of the network.

The primary device recommended for PLDN-BYOD is a Chromebook. This device is simply a low cost laptop that has a chrome browser as its operating system. The user must have a Google Gmail account in order to log in and use the online tools provided by Google. There is no software to install, all applications are cloud based such as word processors, presentation programs, spreadsheets, drawing programs and a multitude of other online tools. 

Other devices may also be used for BYOD such as tablets, Microsoft and Apple laptops, etc.

When selecting a device the student should do some shopping and try some of the activities they are expected to complete in class.

Example:

• Send and email using Gmail

• Edit a Google document

• Take a picture and save it to Google Drive

• Install an app or program

• Change settings such as Wi-Fi

• Type at a rate of 30 wpm or higher (div 4)

The following hardware configurations should also be considered:

• Portability/weight

• Battery life

• Screen clarity in various lighting conditions

• Placement of cameras

• Wi-Fi connection speeds

BGSD dissuades parents from sending expensive laptops or tablets to school. Cost is in no way a determinate as to ability. Most students if given a choice in the school select the 260 $ Chromebook over other technologies costing much more, there response - it just works and is fast.

Classroom Chromebooks start-up in less than 10 seconds, have 8 hr + battery life, 11.6" screen and a full size keyboard and are excellent in the school environment. The operating system is a Chrome browser and it requires internet to work properly, they do have some locally installed programs and can work offline but to be effective they require internet access.