BYOD – Which Device?

BYOD – Which Device?

Section 1 | General Advice

• • There is no one device that is suitable for all students.
  • Some students prefer working on an iPad, “because it is fast and easy to use. It has all the functions that are required for class as well,” according to one student. However, others prefer a laptop, especially when typing up assignments for NCEA,  “I found moving to a laptop really helped with my essays”.
  • In consequence, students may bring either a MacBook, a Windows laptop, an iPad with a keyboard or a Chromebook as their digital learning device. A device with a keyboard is needed for online examinations.
  • It is worth considering, (if budget allows), that active pencils (also called a stylus or Apple Pencil) in conjunction with touch screens (example iPad, Lenovo 300e Windows) enable creativity, sketching, drawing, and the annotation of digital documents and images.
  • Older devices (below our recommended specifications) are not suitable, as they often become slow, have poor battery capacity and cannot upgrade to the latest software. Older devices can therefore lead to frustration and adversely affect student learning. They may not be able to connect to the school’s wi-fi network.
  • A phone is not allowed in class, unless specific teacher approval is granted. (They are not suitable for all learning tasks. Phone use is usually restricted to taking photos of the classroom whiteboard notes, taking videos for learning, etc. )
  • Many students do upgrade their devices during their five years at MAGS. If your child currently has a device from intermediate school, we recommend that they continue to use that device for years 9 & 10, then move to a laptop because of the amount of typing required for NCEA assignments.
  • A MacBook is an excellent choice for year 11-13. The great majority of seniors who move to a laptop choose a MacBook. We realise the MacBook Air and Pro are both expensive, but PB Tech and Dick Smith (online) do offer refurbished models at times. Cyclone Computing and Noel Leeming also have educational pricing.
  • This page for special deals for Mount Albert Grammar School families from Cyclone, Noel Leeming and PB Tech will be updated by the start of November each year. The portals will indicate the relevant pricing. Parents wishing to buy are advised to keep an eye out for special deals that may be offered at certain times from any retailer.
  • A full list of MAGS recommended websites and Apps will be posted on the MAGS website after 1st January each year.
    
• * BYOD means ‘Bring Your Own Device’.
  Please note that the device use is monitored on the school network.

Section 2 | Minimum Specifications for Devices

NOTE: Specific Subject Requirements: If your child is doing media studies, photography or art design and wishes to have a yearly education Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, a MacBook or a Windows laptop is required and it should have at least 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD hard drive. The Windows processor should be able to perform at 2.4GHz or faster. A MacBook Air works well, especially the model with the new M1 chip, but the MacBook Pro will give you more “grunt” and will process quicker. Students studying digital technologies in years 11-13 will need a Macbook or a Windows laptop.

Note: Microsoft Office is available to MAGS students free of charge. It will be available once a student receives their email address when they start school.

Section 3 | Advantages & Disadvantages of Each Device