BYOD Program news

August 2023:

After careful consideration and consultation with the Ashdale cluster ICT support staff Landsdale Primary School will begin transitioning our current BYOD program to a BYOD iPad program in 2024.

This year we have seen a decrease in the number of students purchasing their own devices, unfortunately this has meant that new students were not provided with a device for a period of time as all of our school devices had been allocated to other students.

We are very mindful of the current cost of living situation and do not want to put added pressure on our families or see students not be able to participate in our BYOD program. For this reason, we are encouraging all students entering into year 4 in 2024 and future years to bring an approved iPad as their device for our 1-1 program. We are hoping that this will ease the pressure on families and ensure that every student in year 4-6 in future years can be a part of our highly regarded 1-1 program, preparing our students for the digital world.

Why iPads

Ipads have become an increasingly more powerful and versatile tool in the education setting. They are a much more affordable option than a Macbook but still have the capability to run all of the programs and applications that we currently use to increase learning opportunities, support individual needs and communicate in innovative, creative and collaborative ways.

Please be aware that if you have already purchased a MacBook for your child entering into year 4 or you intend on them using an existing device, they will still be able to use this. Students that don’t have their own device will have access to an iPad at school but will not be able to take this device home. 

More information regarding our 1-1 BYOD iPad program will follow later in the term along with parent information session dates. In the meantime if you have any questions regarding our BYOD program please feel free to Kristin Bunn (Deputy Principal).

July 2023:

Paul Litherland from Surf Online Safe - 17th August 2023

Our focus on Internet Awareness and Safety Online is continual through our health program. In addition, each year we have Paul Litherland present to our Year 5 & 6 students to increase their knowledge and awareness of how to keep themselves safe online and to make informed decisions about social media. Year 4 students do age specific lessons on cybersafety during the year. Paul also presents a cluster wide parent and community session at Ashdale Secondary College to give parents the knowledge and strategies to help their children stay safe. If you missed it this year I hope you look out for the session next year.

Online Awareness

Our 1-1 BYOD I-pad program is designed to advantage our students in an increasingly digital world. Having a personal device provides students with the opportunity to manage, use and create learning experiences to enhance their education. We create the foundation for this by engaging students in activities that enable our students to be well prepared and aware of how to be safe and ethical online.

Teachers and parents/guardians need to be aware of the digital trends that young people are following that can affect their social and emotional wellbeing. Children’s online use is now more centred around mobile phones than computers.

At school we see very little inappropriate use of technology as use of mobile phones is not allowed and the student devices are monitored both physically and electronically by teachers. Unfortunately, we are receiving concerns from parents that some students are behaving inappropriately when using social media outside of school hours, using their phones or gaming consoles.

This can have an impact at school through an increase in friendship issues, confusion, anger and anxiety over things happening online. We address the behaviours exhibited at school, however we cannot get involved or take action on anything that is happening online out of school hours. We need you as parents and guardians to act, for the safety and health and well being of your children.

Please monitor what your children are doing online, if there are inappropriate messages in any group they are interacting with, make sure they remove themselves from the group and block any member who is inappropriate.

There are 3 key strategies to keeping your children safe online, they are:

1. Be engaged, open and supportive: share online time with your child, talk about favourite games sites etc. Keep the lines of communication open and reassure your child that if they are having issues you will help them.
2. Set some rules: ensure your child has input to the rules however consider age appropriate consistent rules eg. What sites and social interaction sites are appropriate, no devices in the bedroom, devices off after bedtime.
3. Use available technology: get to know the devices they use, set up parental controls and monitor and control screentime. Research on reliable sites what you need to know and monitor. Eg. https://www.esafety.gov.au/

These key strategies are from:

If you need assistance with dealing with inappropriate use online, please look at the government eSafety site, you can find information to help or you can report abuse. The police also have an information and a reporting service on their website:

Download the free Parent Online Safety Book:

FAQ

Digital Citizenship