Laptop Program2022

IntroductionWelcome to the Balwyn High School Laptop Program for 2022! This laptop program aims to prepare your child with the relevant lifelong learning skills needed in today’s global knowledge-based society by equipping them with a high quality device for education at school and at home.

The rapidly evolving digital environment requires the 21st century learner to establish connections to their school, community and home, anytime and anywhere.

In 2022, students will confidently utilise their laptop to support their personal learning needs and interests, allowing them to engage in learning communities that transcend the idea of school, country and the world. It will provide them with access to a wide variety of digital content, services and infrastructure.

The number of online and digital resources used in the 21st century classroom has resulted in a laptop becoming an important companion for learning.

Please spend time reading this information book thoroughly and familiarise yourself with all the components, benefits and obligations of the Balwyn High School 2022 Laptop Program.

Device SelectionBefore selecting a device for the 2022 laptop program, input was obtained from a range of stakeholders and vendors to ensure the selected device would remain current and appropriate for use in an educational environment over the three-year lifespan.

Potential devices were evaluated based on the following criteria:

» Portability » Weight » Battery Life » Performance » Touch Response » Durability » Warranty/Repair support » Price » Supporting Infrastructure » Availability and Price of Software » Staff Familiarity » Form Factor

The chosen device for the Balwyn High School 2022 Laptop Program is the HP EliteBook 830 (Generation 8).

Links to Learning

Device SpecificationsProcessor Intel 11th Gen Core i5 1135G7

Display 13.3 inch IPS Anti-Glare

Memory (RAM) 8Gb 2667Mhz DDR4

Data Storage 256Gb NVMe SSD

Human InterfaceTrackpadTouch ScreenOptional Active Stylus

Cameras Video Conferencing Camera

Battery Life Up to 16 Hours

Weight 1.31 Kg

Service On-Site Warranty RepairAccidental Damage Protection

Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do laptops improve learning?

With greater access to real-time information such as digital learning resources, educational software and collaborative workspaces, students experience higher levels of motivation and engagement in their learning.

When learning with a laptop, students typically show initial improvement in organisational and technical skills, revision, writing and editing work. With the development of presentations and other multimedia projects, students develop analytical, presentation and communication skills.

Through digital workbook and submission platforms teachers are able to accurately track student progress and students receive timely and individualised feedback from their teachers. Students build capacity in collaborative research and problem solving using the tools and methods they will go on to use in the professional workplace.

How will laptops be used in the classroom?

Many classes use electronic textbooks and online learning environments such as Education Perfect, STILE and Compass to extend students beyond the classroom. A laptop within the classroom enables ongoing and individualised learning to take place on a daily basis, assisting your child to reach their potential.

Teachers at Balwyn High School construct their entire curriculum in a digital format. This content is delivered using the web based content management system known as Student SharePoint. Students regularly access this valuable resource not only during class time, but also at home for preparation, revision and reflection on their learning.

Subject specific peripherals are utilised in specialist areas of the school. These peripherals include data loggers, robots, cameras, interactive surfaces and displays. All of these communicate directly with the student laptop, transforming this device into a multi-purpose learning tool.

What about safe internet use?

Balwyn High School utilises state of the art internet filtering to ensure your child is kept safe while at school. Teachers will assist students by providing education and support on the best ways to become responsible digital citizens and to stay “Cyber Safe” in the digital age.

If there is an existing internet connection at home, the laptop can be connected, however the internet connection is not filtered or monitored at home. That is the responsibility of the parents. When off school grounds, parents have full authority to monitor laptop usage in the same manner as a personally owned device used by your child.

Are laptops going to add to the heavy loads students carry from home to school?

The laptop weighs approximately 1.3kg and alleviates the need for students to carry some heavy text books to and from school.

What about flat batteries? Will students ‘plug in’ in the classrooms?

Students are required to charge the laptop overnight and to bring it fully charged to school each day. The laptop has a battery which lasts a normal school day under typical operating conditions.

What software will be on the laptop?

With the help of the Department of Education and Training (DET), Balwyn High School has researched and designed a standard environment for laptops which incorporates both DET licensed, school licensed and open source software including Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Office and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.

The laptop also comes with anti-virus software pre-installed, and all updates are managed by the Technology Support team.

Can students bring their own laptops from home instead?

Students at Balwyn High School have the option to bring their own laptop and join the BYOD program, however this is not recommended. Student-owned notebooks may not be covered by government or local school software licencing agreements and maintenance issues cannot be resolved by Technology Support staff.

Before you bring your own laptop you must contact Technology Support to ensure the device is compliant.

Can students install their own software?

In general, no. The laptop is purchased to be used for educational purposes for the duration of the program (three years). This allows the school to install and maintain all school owned software on the laptop, ensuring it is suitable for classroom use. The school regularly updates the software installed on the laptop throughout the lease.

However, should families own a licence for additional educationally relevant software that they would like installed on their son/daughters laptop, this can be arranged by contacting Technology Support.

Who is going to handle warranties and repairs?

If any repairs are required, your child simply brings their laptop to Technology Support who will arrange the repair on their behalf. Consult the additional insert of this handbook for specific details regarding the warranty and accidental damage coverage details

Who is responsible for backing up data on the laptop?

Your son/daughter is responsible for all of their files stored on the laptop. Balwyn High School recommends that families purchase and utilise an inexpensive external hard drive or USB key to ensure all of their important documents, images and other files are kept safe. Backups should be completed on a regular basis.

Can I connect a home printer?

Yes. The laptop will come with some printer drivers pre-installed, however should you need any extra software or drivers installed on the laptop simply contact Technology Support.

Warranty and Accidental DamageIncluded in the price is coverage for accidental damage on the device. This coverage allows for repair or replacement of systems that suffer accidental damage due to liquid spills, electrical surges or unintentional drops.

For 2022, there is no cost for each Accidental Damage Protection claim. However, each device is limited to three claims across the 36 month device lifespan. In the rare event that the laptop needs to be repaired four times or more, Balwyn High School will provide service and arrange the repair to minimise the cost to you.

In the unlikely event a device is accidentally damaged beyond repair and it needs to be replaced, a new Accidental Damage Policy will need to be purchased.

Accidental Damage Protection does not cover Loss or Theft of the device. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to obtain proper insurance for Loss/Theft if desired.

The laptop is covered by a 3-year on-site warranty. This covers the hardware for the duration of the lease and warrants the battery against faults for one year from the date of delivery. Should any faults occur, it is the decision of Balwyn High School and Lenovo on whether a device is repaired or replaced.

How To OrderFor 2022, devices are ordered from our new order portal. This portal provides families additional finance options as part of the order process.

eSmart is an initiative of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, helping school communities to embrace the benefits of digital technologies, including laptops while educating young people on the appropriate use. This includes promoting the ideas of critical and creative thinking, cyber safety, healthy habits and positive wellbeing.

Balwyn High School is proud to be an eSmart School.

Families and school communities are aligned in establishing protocols that encourage positive behaviours around the use of technology. Balwyn High School aims to educate young people through the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Acceptable Usage Policy, Shared Learning Norms and Vision and Values presentations in alignment with wellbeing incursions focussing on cyber safety, respectful relationships, online bystander and upstander behaviour, gaming and mental health, social media and self-esteem.

We continue to recommend that families play an active role in educating young people at home around the appropriate use of digital technologies, including the school laptop.

Recommendations for parents/carers to support ICT use at home include:

» Creating routines in collaboration with young people, to support positive learning habits and technology use

» Establishing clear expectations regarding the school laptop as solely a tool for learning

» Monitoring the use of technologies, like laptops and mobile phones, and ensuring accountability around inappropriate use with reasonable consequences

» Parents/carers reducing their own screen time to role model positive behaviours around technology

» Creating a designated time to turn off the Wi-Fi in the evening to avoid establishing late-night habits around the use of technology

» Establishing ‘digital-free zones’ within your home (for example, no devices in the bedroom or all family members switch off at dinner time)

» Ensuring technology is used in a public space, rather than a private one (for example in the dining room instead of in the bedroom with the door closed)

» Creating a public ‘charging space’ where all family members place their phones and laptops at night time (for example, the kitchen or living room)

» Regularly checking Compass ‘Parent Portal’ for student attendance, completion of learning activities, reports, and incursion/excursions

» Limiting the time spent on technology and providing other alternatives (for example reading, going for a walk, socialising with friends, or playing sport)

» Seeking help through communicating with the Student Learning Wellbeing Managers or Student Services team

eSmart - Protocols for Home

»Keep a balanced life: between home, school, physical activity and technology use. »Ensure your laptop is safe and secure at all times, including maintaining the security of your password. »Take responsibility for your own intellectual property to reduce the risk of your work being shared and used by others. »Set high standards for your learning: only use your laptop as a tool for learning. »Ensure you seek assistance early if someone is interfering with your laptop or using it to cause problems for you.

Respect for Self

Respect for Others

Respect for Environment

»Find ways to use your laptop in class and at home to increase the effectiveness of teamwork in learning activities. »Ensure you take due care with the laptops of others, as they are valuable learning tools for every student. »Understand that cyberbullying is a serious form of bullying and is not tolerated at Balwyn High School. »Always show respect for others when online and using your device.

»For your own safety and that of others, come to school prepared with a fully-charged and functioning laptop, and ensure batteries are only charged at home.

»Balwyn High School maintains an effective laptop program. Ensure you uphold and maintain the integrity of this program by abiding by all Balwyn High School technology protocols.

Laptop Code of Practice