BYOD - policies, and usage ideas

[SteveB_NI]

With shared devices out of the question for the time being & the foreseeable future, we're now looking at BYOD.

 

At least for the senior school BYOD I believe is an ideal option.

 

We're working on a BYOD usage policy at present - they will connect via a managed service secure wireless access solution, so that's covered, but I'm going to include requirements to keep the device on them at all times, and also to ensure it's fully charged when coming to school to stop needing to charge on our premises.

 

Has anyone got any hints + tips for BYOD - how do you get around the worry of teachers that kids will video them in class whilst using their tablets?

 

Also - as we primarily use Google Classroom / Drive for distribution of files, am I right in thinking any device such as a Kindle Fire will offer this functionality?

 

Thanks

[pete]

Has anyone got any hints + tips for BYOD - how do you get around the worry of teachers that kids will video them in class whilst using their tablets?

 

Also - as we primarily use Google Classroom / Drive for distribution of files, am I right in thinking any device such as a Kindle Fire will offer this functionality?

Thanks

 

We allow BYOD for Y12 & Y13 students and they sign an "I agree not to be a muppet" (I paraphrase) agreement that builds on the existing AUP. It's a mix of "protect yourself", "remember you're at school" and "ensure you get work done using your device". From memory it includes:

 

• While it may be (in our case) their device, it's using the school network and we treat misconduct as we would on a school computer.
  
• You are responsible for the care and maintenance of your device. This includes charging it and having it ready for use.
  
• "My device is broken/flat/at home" is not an acceptable excuse for missing homework or requesting a coursework extension.
  
• If you lose the device, you must let us know and change your password (cached radius credentials)
  
• Your device must support a screen lock (and you must use it)
  
• You are strongly encouraged to turn on device encryption (if not already enabled)
  
• We don't support eReaders, at all. Or games consoles.
  
• Do not bring inappropriate content into school on your device.
  
• Devices or students whose activities impinge on others' use of the network will be kicked off the network.
  
• Your device will be kicked off the network if you attempt to use hotspot mode.
  
• It is your responsibility to provide your work in a format that's accessible to your teacher for marking.
  
• Ensure you close any inappropriate browser tabs before walking into wireless range of the school.
  

 

We mention the last point in Y12 & Y13 assemblies at the start of every year:

 

Students using their personal devices on the BYODSSID wireless network are reminded to close any questionable browser tabs before coming into school.

 

Your device will automatically refresh any tabs you have open the first time you use the Internet/connect to a network.

 

Should this happen while in range of the school wireless and your browsing habits are a little more wide-ranging than the school's Acceptable Use Policy requires, neither you nor your Head of Year will enjoy the conversation in which they reiterate home/school boundaries.

 

Bandwidth: Depending on your connection, look at traffic shaping rules into place for the BYOD network. Otherwise around Patch Tuesday (Microsoft) or iOS release dates the bandwith can get hammered by BYOD clients downloading updates.

 

Videoing teachers: Handle it the same way you would if a student recorded a teacher using their mobile and uploaded it to YouTube/TikTok/whatever? At least with a managed tablet you have an audit trail and can remote wipe it.

 

Kindle Fire: Though it was a few models ago (Kindle Fire HD IIRC), we found Kindle Fire's pretty lacking when it came to anything but media consumption. A couple of students used them for BYOD and our support position swiftly became "your parents bought terrible hardware, that's not our problem to fix".