iPad Checkup Years 7 & 8

At the beginning of Term 4, 2016 an iPad Check Up was conducted with all Year 7 and 8 students. The aim of the Check Up was to ensure that all students had their own iPad in good working condition and were able to use this device for learning in the classroom. In particular, devices were checked for the following:

• Connectivity to school Wi-Fi
• CENet password current (needed to sign in to their College Google account)
• Amount of storage on device
• Storage used
• Storage available
• Quantity of games apps
• Quantity of social media apps
• Protective case
• Condition of iPad

It was a great opportunity to talk to the students about management of their devices, and in particular ensuring that they had enough available storage for their school work. It was also a timely reminder for some students about their responsibilities in regards to the use of technology in a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)  Program outlined in the Student Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement 2016 (Point 3.0) which all students and parents/carers have signed in the College Diary.

College Google Account Password Reset

The vast majority of students in Years 7 and 8 had iPads in good working condition and were able to connect to the College Wi- Fi.  Some students needed to be reminded that it is their responsibility to check their school emails regularly and reset the password on their College Google Account when requested. If this has expired they can request a reset at the College ICT Office.

Areas of Concern for Parents

Please be aware that there are a variety of apps that appear to be calculators but are actually secret vaults that hide documents and photos, and can only be activated by typing in the correct code. If you type in ‘secret calculator’ or ‘photo vault’ in the App Store you will find a number of these apps. Some of these are:

• Ky Calc
• Calculator +
• Calculator %
• HiCalculator

Other apps that also can be used to hide documents and photos are:

• Piano Pass
• Photo Vault
• Keepsafe Photo Vault
• iVault

Parents need to regularly check the Apps loaded on their daughter’s device for suitability and to be aware that you must be over the age of 13 to have an Apple ID, which is required to download apps.

I also advise students not to load Social Media apps such as Snapchat, Instagram and Skype, which use up valuable storage, on their iPads. These apps are not used for learning at the College and can be a distraction when students are using their devices for schoolwork.

Finally, if students have problems with their iPads that require repairs, or if iPads cannot be repaired, please be aware that after the relevant forms are signed by parents a replacement device can be arranged through the Irene McCormack Centre for 3 weeks. All students in Years 7 to 9 in 2017 will be required to have an iPad as an essential tool for research, collaboration and product creation.

We are continuing to refine our Bring Your Own Designated Device Program to ensure that students have the necessary tools for learning in a contemporary learning environment. Working in partnership with parents, the College can provide a safe, creative and productive learning space for our students.

Mrs Maria Thomson, Coordinator of Learning – Innovative Technologies & Information Literacy