byod specifications
What devices can students bring to school?
Students can bring a laptop or tablet to school. The laptop or tablet must follow the required specifications below. Students currently bringing their own devices to school find the Surface Pro tablets, iPads, Macbooks and Chromebooks the easiest to work with.
Device specifications
Wireless connectivity - Devices must support 5GHz dual band, 802.11 a, b, g and n wireless so that they can connect to the school WiFi. Android devices must be able to connect on all channels in the 5GHz range. Do NOT purchase Android devices if they cannot connect to all channels in the 5GHz range. Currently, most Android devices cannot connect to the school WiFi.
Battery life - Devices must last at least 5 hours without charge so that it can last the whole school day.
Memory and RAM - Devices must have a minimum 16 GB storage and 2GB RAM so that students have enough space to save their work and have a device that is fast to work with.
Operating system - Ideally devices should have the current version of any operating system (Eg. iOS8, Windows 8) so the device can access the latest software/apps and updates. If this is not possible, a previous version of any operating system should be installed on devices (Eg. iOS7, Windows 7).
Hardware features - Devices must have a camera and microphone to allow students to participate in 21st century learning. Students may also find a mouse and stylus helpful.
Software and apps
Devices must have software or apps that allow for:
Note that Chromebooks will have the above software via Google Apps.
From 2015, students can access Office 365 via the DEC Student Portal. This means have access to Microsoft Word Online, Excel Online, PowerPoint Online and other Microsoft software for free.
Students can also download free Microsoft and Adobe software for laptops here.
Active antivirus software must be installed on laptops and Android devices.
Students can bring a laptop or tablet to school. The laptop or tablet must follow the required specifications below. Students currently bringing their own devices to school find the Surface Pro tablets, iPads, Macbooks and Chromebooks the easiest to work with.
Device specifications
Wireless connectivity - Devices must support 5GHz dual band, 802.11 a, b, g and n wireless so that they can connect to the school WiFi. Android devices must be able to connect on all channels in the 5GHz range. Do NOT purchase Android devices if they cannot connect to all channels in the 5GHz range. Currently, most Android devices cannot connect to the school WiFi.
Battery life - Devices must last at least 5 hours without charge so that it can last the whole school day.
Memory and RAM - Devices must have a minimum 16 GB storage and 2GB RAM so that students have enough space to save their work and have a device that is fast to work with.
Operating system - Ideally devices should have the current version of any operating system (Eg. iOS8, Windows 8) so the device can access the latest software/apps and updates. If this is not possible, a previous version of any operating system should be installed on devices (Eg. iOS7, Windows 7).
Hardware features - Devices must have a camera and microphone to allow students to participate in 21st century learning. Students may also find a mouse and stylus helpful.
Software and apps
Devices must have software or apps that allow for:
- internet browsing (Eg. Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari)
- notetaking (Eg. Evernote, OneNote)
- word processing (Eg. Microsoft Word, Pages)
- creating spreadsheets (Eg. Microsoft Excel, Numbers)
- creating presentations (Eg. Microsoft PowerPoint, Keynote)
Note that Chromebooks will have the above software via Google Apps.
From 2015, students can access Office 365 via the DEC Student Portal. This means have access to Microsoft Word Online, Excel Online, PowerPoint Online and other Microsoft software for free.
Students can also download free Microsoft and Adobe software for laptops here.
Active antivirus software must be installed on laptops and Android devices.