No, each class has a set of ipads to support learning.
In 2020 we are building our class sets back up to eight to ten ipads per class.
BYOD is a service we provide to learners and is NOT compulsory at Mellons Bay School
In 2014 we began building our infrastructure up to accomodate devices from home and since then, have extended the programme in consultation with our community.
We are now in a position to offer BYOD to the following students:
Year 3 to Year 6
Students with learning needs throughout all year levels
The school policy states that the device must be:
Light and mobile
Have a good battery life to last the school day [6 hours]
Able to connect to the internet via wireless technology, no 4G or 5G
Have a built in camera and video function
Yes, 87% of school owned and BYOD devices are Apple ipads.
We welcome all devices as long as they meet the school policy criteria. Androids and Chromebooks work for some families but ensure your family is familiar with how to trouble shoot issues.
Students moving to intermediate soon, may wish to purchase a device the intermediate or college use, but we believe tablets work best for most of our learners.
Students will need support to access our wifi network. Teachers can help with this or access technical support on a Monday or Wednesday morning from the school's service provider, New Era.
Students and families may need support to download the n4l certificate [refer to the site tab, 'Keeping safe with technology']. Students can seek help with this via the teacher who will access technical support on a Monday or Wednesday morning.
If you child is having difficulties accessing school learning applications please let your teacher know.
We do not provide technical support for hardware issues or home applications.
The BYOD policy states that devices are to be used during learning time only.
When a device is not in use it is to be kept in a locked cupboard.
All home owned ipads need to be covered under your home insurance.
The BYOD policy states that devices are not to be shared with others; a screen share only.
We strongly recommend a robust case for your child's device.
You know your child best, so wait.
Devices can be purchased at anytime of the year, or not at all.
Students will still continue to learn in a ‘blended learning’ style and will not be disadvantaged.
School devices will need to be shared amongst students.
Mellons Bay uses a blended learning approach. Blended use may look like a table full of traditional tools and with a device as a support.
The device is a tool to support learning. This means that the device will be used alongside traditional forms of learning, like pen and paper and exercise books.
Some days the device might not be used much at all, at other times they will be used throughout a lesson.
Teachers will encourage students to take breaks from their screens as part of teaching healthy usage.
Apple and our preferred IT companies do not offer us any special pricing.
We do suggest that you check Apple.nz for refurbished ipads, which the school has bought successfully for classroom use over the years.
We also have a positive relationship with PB Tech.