FAQ about BYOD

What Devices Can Be Used in Brassfield Road Elementary School Bring Your Own Device?

Brassfield Road Elementary School defines “devices” as privately owned wireless and portable electronic devices that can be used for wireless Internet access, word processing, image/video capturing, sound recording, and information transmitting.

What is the Purpose of BYOD?

BRES BYOD is available to students to support learning, enhance instruction, and provide the best possible outcome for student learning.

Who Decides When Students Use BYOD?

BYOD will be used for instructional purposes only. Teachers will communicate to students when BYOD is appropriate.

Can Students Share Devices?

Students understand they are prohibited from using any student’s device other than their own. It is clearly written in the contract that students are responsible for their own device(s).

How Do Students Sign Up for BYOD?

Students and parents will sign the BRES BYOD contract and return to their homeroom teacher.

What Happens if Students Misuse Their Device?

BYOD is a privilege. There will be consequences if you are not following proper BYOD classroom procedures.

What Happens if a Device is Lost or Stolen?

By allowing a student to bring a device to school, the parent assumes liability for any damages or theft. School administration will investigate the issue and follow student conduct policy if needed. Students take full responsibility for their devices. Personal technology should not be left on campus before- or after-school hours.

What Tech Support is provided?

Students will be responsible for troubleshooting their own devices.

What Network is BYOD?

Schools that are a part of the pilot have a separate network SSID.

Can BYOD Devices Charge At School?

BRES is not responsible for providing facilities to charge devices; devices are expected to be charged at home and put away after the battery loses its charge.

My concern is the students know the network password now. Will this be changing so students will be forced to login to student log in?

At this time the Lunenburg Wifi password will not be changed. Students will be required to sign in on their personally owned devices to the Brassfield-BYOD Wifi during school hours.

What kind of software is required for word processing?

There will be no required software.

The contract mentions a Wake policy. Please provide a link to that policy so we know what we're 'signing.'

"Wake County Public School System Student Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources according to Board Policy 6446"

WCPSS Student Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) School Board Policy 6446: This policy governs the use of WCPSS electronic information resources and defines students' proper conduct and responsibilities while using WCPSS electronic information resources. The entire AUP Policy can be located on page 17-19 in WCPSS Student Parent Handbook. or click here:

How can you ensure that students are not texting and are appropriately using their device?

Teachers will monitor student use of devices. Students signing the agreement is a contract saying they will be "Good Digital Citizens" while using technology at school.

How is BYOD going to be useful to the students and teachers?

BYOD allows for students to learn the way they live. BYOD is available to students to support learning, enhance instruction, and provide the best possible outcome for student learning. BYOD empowers each student to be a responsible citizen of the 21st century. BYOD supports our school mission.

If a device is "parked" and a student or staff member touches, drops it, or ruins it will the device be reimbursed?

Situations involving damage to a parked device will be dealt with on a case by case basis depending on the circumstances.

Can students bring portable chargers?

Yes, as long as it does not require electricity.

Can students be on their 3G/4G network before and after school hours?

While on school grounds, students should be on WAKE-BYOD WiFi. Devices must have DATA turned OFF during the school day.

Can the contract be accepted with addendums/additions?

No. Student/Parent contracts are only accepted as written. Modifications are not permitted.

Can I continue to use my e-reader without a BYOD signed Contract?

No. BYOD rules apply.

If a student doesn't have a device, what do they do while those that have one are using their devices?

BYOD is not designed for a 1:1 ratio. Teachers are designing instruction that is collaborative in nature and school owned devices are being used to supplement if needed. Classroom instruction is designed for 1:3 computer to student ratio rather than 1:1. If technology is used to enhance and enrich a lesson the teacher will make sure devices are equitable throughout the lesson. As part of the pilot, teacher teams from each school are learning about the capacity of different devices. Focus is on building instruction that uses technology as a tool rather than a delivery system for instruction.

Is an iPod touch or an older smartphone useful as a BYOD device?

Any privately-owned wireless device could be used as a BYOD option. However, the capabilities of some devices make them less than ideal. (Devices with keyboards are often the optimal device so students are able to type more easily.)

Students must agree not to use cell service while connected to the school wireless. Isn't that unrealistic? Now that they're allowed to have their phone out in the open at times (when permitted), they'll use social media and texting.

Teachers circulate the classroom and monitor student use of devices. If students don't follow expectations for device usage, privileges will be taken away.

Can you provide monthly stats of how many devices are stolen/recovered at Brassfield to the parents so they can assess the theft risks?

The incidents of theft remains low. We will continue to monitor and communicate to students and parents if any major changes occur.

Will teachers maintain a list of students that have devices so that they know exactly how many school devices they need for the students that do not have one in each of their classes?

There is a school wide database that all teachers will have access to indicating which students are "BYOD Approved”. BYOD is not designed for a 1:1 ratio. Teachers are designing instruction that is collaborative in nature and school owned devices are being used to supplement if needed. Classroom instruction is designed for 3:1 student to computer ratio rather than 1:1. If technology is used to enhance and enrich a lesson the teacher will make sure devices are equitable throughout the lesson. As part of the pilot, teacher teams from each school learned about the capacity of different devices. Focus is on building instruction that uses technology as a tool rather than a delivery system for instruction.

If a device is lost or stolen who is responsible?

Situations involving loss or theft will be dealt with on a case by case basis depending on the circumstances.

Can students read on their devices during lunch in the cafeteria?

No, during lunch the cafeteria is a red zone. It is important for students to eat and interact with their classmates, and not be distracted by technology.

Do the students use Google on the BYOD?

The same limitations pertain to their device as when they are on a school device. Google is never an acceptable search tool for students, all reasearch and pictures must be done through a safe search.