Campbeltown Performing Arts
High School

Campbeltown Performing Arts High School (CPAHS) located in Sydney's vibrant South West is a school committed to improving student learning outcomes through the consistent application of quality teaching. They are also a Microsoft Showcase School in recognition of their use of technology to transform education.

The What and Why of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

BYOD is a program in which students bring their own personal device to school for use within the classroom and beyond. Access to a device provides a strong basis to enhance learning and enables a focus on the development of key technology-driven twenty-first century learning outcomes.

BYOD in practice at CPAHS

BYOD @ CPAHS

Many schools across NSW have implemented a BYOD program and with a variety of different models adopted, ranging from requiring a specific device (e.g. iPad), to setting minimum specifications (e.g. screen size). CPAHS has implemented a version of the latter where students can bring any device as long as it is able to connect to the school's Wi-Fi system. This model leverages each student's existing technology and was implemented by CPAHS as a consequence of extensive consultation with their school community.

Empowering all Learners

One of the biggest concerns with a BYOD program is ensuring equity for all learners. CPAHS has developed several initiatives to ensure no student is disadvantaged by a lack of access to technology. In addition to a pool of equity devices available for loan while at school, they have pioneered a program called Loan Your Own Device or LYOD. LYOD provides students with a device to use both at school and home throughout the year in exchange for a small annual payment from the family.

Core Applications - Strong Basis for Learning

CPAHS has embraced the 'Learning Tools' toolset that is available to all students and staff through the NSW DoE Portal. Primarily CPAHS access Office 365 and G-Suite, with OneDrive and Google Classroom being the go to applications. These cloud based tools can be accessed on all devices providing an equitable and accessible platform for learning. The decision to not focus on a specific toolset is again a decision based upon community consultation. The interests and preferences of both staff and students are catered for in the CPAHS BYOD model.

Annual BYOD Bootcamp

Developed by Head Teacher Technology, Darren Johnstone, new students at CPAHS participate in a one-day intensive technology familiarisation session at the beginning of each year. The bootcamp covers the following elements:

1. Connecting to theschool's Wi-Fi

2. Accessing the Student Portal and Student Email system
(Handy Tip: Ask students to bookmark this page!)

3. Accessing core Technology for Learning Tools - Office 365 & G-Suite

4. Online Safety and Security (Handy Tip: Team up with Year Advisors and The Learning Support Team)

5. Accessing the School's Electronic Library Resources (Handy Tip: Your digitally connected Teacher Librarian can be a great ally in this process)

This approach means all students are equipped with a solid technological base for learning from day one. A request in the classroom to 'Access your email' or 'Open a Word Online document' will be met with student action not hands raised!

Whole School Involvement

While Darren coordinates CPAHS's BYOD journey, it is a true whole school effort. Working closely with the Technical Support Officer (TSO), Computer Coordinator and Teaching staff is an essential ingredient to their success. In fact, the majority of the Bootcamp sessions were completed by regular teaching staff from a range of school faculties.

But this process did not happen by accident! CPAHS began an ICT teacher mentoring program before going BYOD, providing all staff with the opportunity to grow and develop their ICT confidence. A timely, personalised support model that has empowered staff members to embrace BYOD technologies for learning.

Starting your BYOD Journey

Both Darren and Principal, Stacey Quince have a few tips from their extensive experience to help you on your BYOD journey:

1. An awesome TSO is essential in ensuring teachers can focus on teaching and learning and outsource technical issues.

2. Connect and learn about your school community to confirm they are ready to embrace BYOD and what it should look like at your school.

3. Remember BYOD is a whole school (including community) initiative not just an initiative for the technology team.

4. A device is no replacement for effective teaching. If technology does not support good teaching and learning then don't use it!

Thanks from Future.Tech

The Future.Tech team would like to extend a huge thank you to all the students and staff at Campbeltown Performing Arts High School for hosting us during your BYOD Bootcamp. Special thanks for all the inside information and tips must go to Darren Johnstone - your efforts are inspirational.