Specifications

It is recommended that students bring a device that is already in the home rather than buying a new one. Any device purchased within the last 5 years will very likely be sufficient. If you wish to purchase a device and want further guidance on specifications, insurance and vendor information, beyond the guidelines listed below, please consult this document which can be printed and brought to the store to show the consultant. Feel free to contact david.collett@isbasel.ch for further information or to discuss pros and cons of different options.

If you wish to purchase, it is advised to balance the decision with your personal preferences, the student’s interests, computer size, and operating system familiarity. As students will be carrying their laptops around campus, it is advisable to seek a laptop that is not too bulky or heavy. Computers designed primarily for gaming can be quite large with low battery life and are not recommended.

Type of Platform

Mac / Windows Laptop (English keyboard recommended)

Operating System

Mac OSX / Windows

(English Version for all highly recommended)

Minimum Screen Size

7.9inch/20cm (11-14 inches recommended)

Accessories

Compatible Headphones

Future Planning

Please note that students will be required to bring a Laptop to school. iPads or Tablets will be allowed, but only as a complement to the laptop, not as the primary device alone. This is because of the change in teaching and learning environment and the rigors of use at this and in future grade levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

In regards to Tablets vs laptops, does a Microsoft Surface Pro count as a tablet or a laptop (thinking about the G6 requirements)?

This is a 2 in 1 device that is both a laptop and a tablet. As such this counts as a laptop and will meet the G6 requirements. A rule of thumb is: if it runs Windows or MacOS operating systems then it is counted by us as a laptop.

Is a Chromebook a sufficient device and why is it not on the list of possible choices?

It is possible to use a Chromebook for the device should you wish. However, your child will need to have access to a private gmail address to use to sign into the Chromebook initially. From there they can sign into their school accounts via the browser from that point on. The reason for this is because of the way that our accounts link to our Active Directory which is run through Microsoft Azure. The way the system manages the device when you log into a Chromebook requires that the Chromebook be registered on our network as a school-bound device and if we do that it won't work at home as it will need our on-campus school directory to verify against. This is why the private gmail address is required. From an educational perspective, we support the use of Chromebooks and they are sufficient as a device for our learning needs. We can't, however, require you to have a private non school managed gmail address for your child, so this has to be your choice, and it is why we haven't included Chromebooks on our list of recommended machines.

Who is responsible for the maintenance and updates of these devices?

All maintenance for the hardware device, operating system, software and/or apps purchased by the family are the responsibility of the family. Please try to plan for a prompt turn-around time for any service or repair work to minimize the impact on the students. Should your child need to borrow a computer at school during a repair time, they may do so, but only during the day and for a limited time as our resources are limited in this regard.

How can students help protect their laptops from damage?

It is recommended that students utilize a protective "sleeve" to help protect against minor bumps and scratches while transporting them in their bags. To protect the laptop even more, a laptop case may be used. These are often plastic shells that fit over the laptop and remain in place.

Another common form of damage comes from the spillage of beverages onto keyboards - this generally results in quite expensive damage and so we advise students to not have open liquids (cups/cans) around their devices.

Is it better to get an Apple laptop or PC laptops like Sony or Toshiba?

Either laptop will work with our system. While most students do opt for Mac computers and as IT Education specialists, we see Mac as the best for the "learning environment" due to ease of use and functionality, we recommend talking with your child and taking their wishes into consideration. If they strongly advocate for a PC, then they will likely be more invested in learning the functions of the machine and thereby be more comfortable with it.

If I get a Macbook should I get the Pro or the Air?

Either a Pro or Air is appropriate for the BYOD program. If your child is enrolled in a design classes or other classes that require heavy processing, a Pro may be a better choice. However this is not an overt necessity as these classes have lab computers students can access. For the regular school usage the computer will get, the portability and the cost, the Macbook Air is the preferred choice.

Should I wait for the newest line of MacBook Pro's to come out?

It is always good to get the latest version available so as to preserve the longevity of the device. This being said there will always be a new version coming out every 6-12 months so it is impossible to stay at the newest version for long. Our recommendation is to buy the latest version available at the time given that all students must have a workable computer on day one of the school year in August. However if you are waiting to purchase a new computer and have a workable computer that can act as a holdover for a month or so, information on when to buy new mac products is available here: http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

Since the Air was just updated and I am looking at the Macbook Pro's should I wait for them to be updated?

It is hard to know when new products will be updated as Apple doesn't publish the information. The link above can provide the best information available but it is still based on rumors and insiders information and not to be used as a hard and fast guide. From what we understand, it could be 6 months before the new Pro's come out so it is advisable to get the computer now as students ideally would use the same computer throughout their HS years and become comfortable with it.

Do you need a CD Drive in your laptop?

You do not need a CD Drive in the laptop. Most software can now be installed via the internet or USB. ISM also has plug in CD drives that can be used on campus to install software via the IT department. If you would like a drive they are usually $100 at Mac or PC stores.

Will the school provide Microsoft office for the laptop which I have purchased for my child?

Yes, ISB provides this free of charge to ISB students. It can be downloaded and installed via the myapps.isbasel.ch portal.

What happens when the students go to Grade 6?

Grade 6 will inherit the same system as Grade 5, students will need to bring laptops each day.

Where will devices be stored and will they be safe?

In Aesch, devices will be kept in the classrooms in the cubbies and we will take precautions like teachers locking their rooms to have them be safe. In Fiechten, devices will be kept in students lockers. Devices won't be used outside of class time and so they won't be brought out into the playground or areas where they can be lost or damaged at break or lunch. In Reinach, devices will be kept in students lockers. Since students will be using them outside of classes we will have a rule wherein an unattended laptop will be seen as lost and brought to the SS Reception to be collected by the student.

Are teachers given Professional Development on how to teach with devices, when to use them, and where to use them?

Yes, teachers have been engaged in a multi-year long practice of using devices that are school owned. In addition, obligatory and voluntary training has been provided as well as co-teaching and coaching opportunities. The BYOD program is the next logical step in the use of devices in our learning environment and due to the thoughtful ramp up, a well managed step.

Devices can be addictive. How can we as parents help our children to achieve balance in our home life with access to them?

This is a real concern and one we are interested in addressing on a continual basis with parents. It is first important to understand what should be balanced, and work back from there. As such it is important to understand that the screen or device itself is not the "problem" but rather the media and the use of it on the device that can be. As such we advocate setting firm routines for your children for home use of the device. For example, they should be able to use their device for home learning, but only with supervision or in a supervised area. They may be allowed to use it for leisure activities, but again in a supervised situation and for this use, only for a set amount of time. This should be agreed upon ahead of time and not be flexible so there isn't a constant negotiation on it. To do this we advocate creating a media plan with your child so that you have set agreements for home device use. We will be having parent sessions on this topic throughout the year and can always meet one on one with you to discuss approaches or concerns at your request.

How do we set parent limits on the devices?

On this website under the tutorials tab there are guides for how to set parental limits for most devices on the market. We advocate doing this but ideally doing so in a way that the limit pertains to home use so as not to interrupt the student learning at school. For example if you want to set a limit of how much time a child can use a device, the best way is to limit the time of day it can be used, rather that the amount of time, as this will vary based on school activities and could end up with the child having their device shut off mid lesson, or alternatively with them having too much "leisure usage" time at home.

How will you teach them computer skills?

In the past "computer class" was utilized to teach explicit computer skills. While this is successful in some cases, in most others the learning is often quickly forgotten as it is not integrated and immediately applied to a practical situation that provides value to the skill. As such, the teaching of computer skills will be integrated into the current units the students are working on. An example might be, learning to the technical skill of creating a graph while doing the data collection and processing involved in a science unit of inquiry.

Will you teach students to type?

At Aesch, typing large amounts of text is not a mainstay of the curriculum, and so typing will not be explicitly taught at this time. However, in Grade 6 and 7 it will be a planned element of the program. If you wish to have your child practice their typing skills at home, we recommend this resource as a good home learning activity for your child to engage in. Best practice is short periods of typing practice (10-20 minutes) several times a week (3-4 times). The words per minute average with a 90+% accuracy rate at the fifth grade level is 25wpm.

Will there be pure technology (coding, robotics, etc) opportunities offered?

Yes, some of these skills will be worked into the curriculum (i.e. in math). Others will be explicitly taught in clubs. To find out what clubs are offered contact us or the office for more information.

Will there be restrictions on when and where students can use devices?

Yes, restrictions will be determined based on age and campus. At Aesch and Fiechten as devices are for learning purposes and only to be used with supervision, they will be only allowed to be used in classes and not taken out for break or lunch without supervision. Before and after school, devices should not be taken out of the book-bag and used in the foyer or other directly supervised situations like on the playground. At Reinach, as students move to a more independent learning model, devices usage will be allowed according to Device Friendly vs Device Free zoning which will be articulated to students and include posters as reminders.

Will there be an option to keep the devices at school if we don't want them to use them at home?

Yes, this is an option we are making available to Aesch and Fiechten students. At Aesch students will be able to check their devices into a trolley to be locked up over night and check them back out the next day. At Fiechten students will be able to leave the devices in their lockers and charge them during class time. At Reinach, the workload in the Senior School dictates that independent work on the device at home is critical and as such the device needs to go home with the student on a daily basis.