BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE (BYOD) POLICY
I. INTRODUCTION
Considering the benefits of using personal devices for both teachers and students, the Asian International School encourages students to bring their own devices for learning purposes via Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy. Under this policy, students are allowed to bring any personal electronic device they own for ease of studying, access to digital learning resources and the global wealth of knowledge. However, the use of personal devices for learning also comes with security risks to the School’s IT resources and communication systems, in addition to the problem regarding the confidentiality of information.
This policy thereby establishes the terms and conditions by which students may bring their own electronic devices to the school for learning purposes. Only parents and students who have signed the Commitment to Comply with BYOD Policy may be approved of using their personal devices for learning on campus.
II. SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF THE POLICY
This policy shall apply to students in Grade 6 and above who use their personal electronic device, including any accompanying hardware and software (hereinafter referred to as “personal device”), for studying in and out of the classroom. For students in Grade 5 and below, this policy shall apply to the use of electronic portable and stationary devices provided by the School (hereinafter referred to as “school devices”).
The BYOD Policy shall apply to all electronic devices used to access the School’s IT resources and computer network (hereinafter referred to as “computer network”). Such devices include (but are not limited to) tablets and laptops.
Allowing students to gain access to the School’s computer network using their personal device may expose it to a number of malware (e.g. viruses, computer bugs, spyware, Trojan, etc.) or threats of intrusion, which may harm the network.
The purpose of this policy is to protect the School’s computer network without compromising students’ access via personal devices. Detailed in this policy are the cases in which the School may monitor students’ use of computer networks, access to the network via personal devices, and erasure or destruction of data on their device, as well as the measures against any breach of this policy.
Such breach may result in suspension of access to the School’s computer network via any means, including a different device. Upon discovery of any purported violation, students must cooperate by allowing the School to access their personal devices and provide relevant passwords and login information.
Some devices may not be able to access the School’s computer network. The School is under no obligation to make changes to the network or provide technical support for such cases.
III. TERMS OF THE POLICY
Note: The below terms shall also apply to the school devices.
1. Parent/Student Agreement
Parents and students of Grade 6 and above shall sign the Commitment to Comply with BYOD Policy to express their agreement to the terms and conditions regarding the use of personal devices stipulated in this Policy before students can use the personal device they bring to school.
Students of Grade 5 and below shall sign this Commitment to affirm the adherence to the regulations of using the school devices. Parents are also requested to acknowledge and consent to the terms of the Commitment.
2. Educational Use
Students in Grade 6 and above signing and submitting the Commitment to Comply with BYOD Policy are encouraged to bring their personal devices all the time. Devices will not be used in every lesson, but the advantage of this policy is that they can be easily used for parts of lessons. The actual use of devices will vary in each lesson. Personal devices shall only serve learning and research purposes. Subject and homeroom teachers have full discretion over when students may use their personal devices on campus. Students must always comply with the teachers’ requirements and instructions, including turning off their devices when requested.
Students from Grade 5 and below will be informed by their subject teachers when to use the school devices via the Technology Support Schedule made according to the Curriculum mappings, subject teachers’ Demand for using school laptops, and the Computer Lab schedule in the Cross-curricular Links. Students must also comply with the teachers’ instructions and regulations of using the school devices.
3. Personal Electronic Device
Personal devices are any devices that facilitate electronic communication such as laptop, Chromebook, netbook, notebook, iPad, tablet, Kindle, e-reader, iPod Touch, smartphone, mobile phone, etc. Devices primarily used for entertainment purposes are not allowed on campus. Call- and message-only devices are also banned. The Asian International School reserves the final decision on which device is allowed on campus.
4. Care & Protection
Students are responsible for proper care and use of their personal devices. They are solely responsible for keeping their device safe. Students may be requested to keep their personal devices by their side or in their own locker. The School encourages students to refrain from letting other students use their personal devices.
Students in Grade 5 and below are responsible for the proper care upon using the school devices. The School is in charge of the devices’ custody when they are not in use.
5. Lost, Stolen or Damaged Device
Students bringing their own devices to school shall bear full responsibility for the safekeeping of such devices, as with any other personal belongings. The Asian International School will not be held accountable for any cases of lost, stolen, or damaged devices. Students are encouraged to turn on the device location for ease of safekeeping. It is also advised that electronic devices be adequately insured against loss or damage.
For students in Grade 5 and below, in cases where there are school devices lost or damaged caused by students, parents will be required to duly compensate based on the actual value.
In case of loss or theft, students need to immediately report to their homeroom teacher and the School Office.
6. Audio, Photo and Video
Students are not allowed to use their personal devices to record any audio, photo, or video of other students or the School’s managers, teachers, or staff members without their permission. Students are barred from uploading and/or sharing the aforementioned record without first obtaining permission from the School and relevant individuals.
7. Internet Use & Connection
Personal devices shall only access the Internet via the School’s internal network. Students must comply with the Responsible Use Policy and must not access any inappropriate materials either downloaded or to-be-downloaded to their personal devices. Staff and faculty members are allowed access to students’ devices should there be a concern for any breach of this term.
Connectivity shall be centrally monitored by the School’s IT Team, who may have to approve a device before it is connected to the School’s computer network. The device’s MAC address will be recorded for ease of recognition and approval of access by the IT Team.
The School reserves the right to deny or block a student’s personal device to access the computer network. The IT Team will disconnect any device that is, or maybe, being used for the wrong purpose, gravely affecting other students, staff, faculty, or the School’s confidential information.
The IT Team may set up a special application on the student’s personal device for access to the School’s computer network. Should the student delete such an application, their access right is immediately nullified.
8. Device Monitoring
The School has the right to monitor, block, review, and delete any content on the student’s personal device without further notice should such content be considered a violation against any of the School’s policies (including this Policy).
The reasons for content monitoring, blocking, review, or deletion may be:
• deterrence against wrongful uses;
• ensuring compliance with the School’s principles, codes of conduct, and policies.
Upon signing the Commitment to Comply with BYOD Policy, parents and students have given full consent (without further comment) to the aforementioned monitoring.
9. Charging the Device
Students should charge their devices at home, before class and let them run on battery for the day.
School devices will be charged by school staff prior to students using the devices.
10. Technical Support
The School will not provide technical support for students’ personal devices. Upon bringing their device to school, students will be responsible for any repairs, maintenance, or changes to the device and subsequent service costs.
11. Requirements & Recommendations for Devices
Parents may consider the following requirements, recommendations, and minimum security standards proposed by the School to prepare appropriate device for the students:
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR WINDOWS DEVICES
• Windows 10S
• Minimum screen size of 11,6”
• Intel or AMD processor
• At least 4GB of RAM
• At least 128GB of hard drive space
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Antivirus software: The use of Windows Defender and Windows Firewall is encouraged. Students should have these applications set up on their Windows device.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WINDOWS
• Windows 10
• Minimum screen size of 14”
• At least Intel i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor
• At least 8GB of RAM
• SSD with at least 128GB of space
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Antivirus software: The use of Windows Defender and Windows Firewall is encouraged. Students should have these applications set up on their Windows device.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR
• ChromeOS
• Minimum screen size of 11,6”
• At least 2GB of RAM
• At least 16GB of hard drive space
• Wi-Fi connectivity
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHROMEBOOKS
• ChromeOS
• Minimum screen size of 11,6”
• At least Intel Celeron or AMD A4 processor
• At least 4GB of RAM
• SSD with at least 32 GB of space
• Wi-Fi connectivity
REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLE DEVICES
• Mac OS 10.14 or later generations
• Minimum screen size of 13”
• At lease Intel i3 processor
• At least 8GB of RAM
• SSD with at least 256GB of space
• Wi-Fi connectivity
Note: Apple device running Windows 10 or ChromeOS will not be allowed on campus as they have been inappropriately modified.