All students now participate in the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program where they bring a personally owned device to school to assist with their learning.
BYOD devices selected for each of the year levels are as follows:
- Years 7, 8, 9: iPad
- Years 10, 11, 12: Laptop/iPad with keyboard
Download the specification sheet on the right to assist with your purchase decision. Ideally, the device should also be covered by an extended warranty and accidental damage insurance.
BYOD device specifications
Download the technology specifications for help when selecting a device for your student.
BYOD device choices, warranty and insurance
With the BYOD program students have more choice in the technology they use to conduct their learning. They take it home with them and can personalise the settings on their device to suit their learning style and individual needs.
Parents can choose from the wide range of devices offered in the retail market place. For senior students we recommend a laptop with a mouse or stylus. Many devices now come with Bluetooth capacity, so a Bluetooth pointing device will save you using up one of the USB ports.
Computers are complex technical devices and they do break down and can be damaged, especially in the hands of teenagers. It is vital therefore to ensure a fast turnaround for repairs when the need arises. It is recommended that you have an external storage device and regularly backup the data on the laptop to prevent any loss of schoolwork.
We highly recommend adding ADP (accidental damage protection) insurance and NBD (next business day) on-site warranty. You may also have the option of adding the device to your home and contents insurance policy but be sure that it covers the device 24/7 and while away from your home.
At the very least, we recommend a return-to-store, 3 year warranty on any new technology purchase.
School IT support and the BYOD program
An integral part of the BYOD program is the onsite support offered by the school IT support team. School technicians will perform standard checks and tests on BYOD equipment. This may depend on vendor warranty terms and conditions but the team will help in any way they can.
It may become necessary for students to restore their device using recovery software supplied in the box or by following another reset procedure. In these cases students will need to take the device home and follow the recovery instructions provided by the vendor. Before restoring the computer make sure all of the data has been backed up to an external device. Our school technical support team will be able to assist with minor problems and offer advice where more extensive repairs or work is required.
Why BYOD?
The reality is that online tools and resources have changed the educational landscape. Students can now carry with them, and have available at their fingertips, almost unlimited access to multimedia content, reference material, online experts and collaborative spaces.
Laptops and handheld devices have become very affordable and provide students with 24/7 access to a vast network of information. Portable devices have very much become part of students' lives and the development of 21st Century learning skills. It is therefore highly desirable that they should also be integral to their learning.
These 21st century skills will help prepare Queensland students by giving them the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to be equipped for the demands of higher education, work and life, and to participate effectively in the community and the economy in a complex and rapidly changing world.
Technology fosters enhanced student engagement and BYOD leads to a higher level of student familiarity with devices. Our teachers encourage the integrated use of a range of devices across the different year levels so that students are able to access their learning content globaly.
Browse through the other pages in the Computers and Technology section to find out more about technology at Southport.