Bring Your Own Device

You may be asking, what is the difference between a Chromebook and a fully-fledged Mac/PC? A Chromebook is a laptop that only operates the Google Chrome web browser. ISB is almost entirely in the Google learning environment; this means a Chromebook works well for learning at school. However, if your child is into things like video editing, gaming, or other non-Chrome type uses, you may want to talk to them and consider their preferences before making a decision. For Design Technology, where more complex laptop use is required, ISB will be providing high-powered Mac laptops for students to use during class. While every student is different and the choice of device is dependant on a range of factors, below are a few scenarios to help you decide.

Scenarios where you may want to opt for a Chromebook:

• You are worried about your child breaking/losing their laptop and need a less expensive, more replaceable option

• You are worried about the extended functionality of a fully-fledged laptop and want to step more cautiously into the BYOD environment

• Your child doesn’t do a lot with a computer outside of school and would prefer the speed and the ease of use of a Chromebook

Scenarios where you may want to opt for a Laptop:

• You want to install and are comfortable running restrictions on the device

• Your child has a passion for media editing (photo, video, etc) and needs the power and functionality of a fully functional laptop

• Your child wants their computer to also be their gaming or leisure device and you want to honor their decision

• Your child is nearing the end of Middle School and will require a Mac/PC for Grade 9

Grade 8 is a transition year where students who already have a Chromebook may continue to use it until the end of Grade 8. However, if purchasing a new device for your Grade 8 student, please follow the recommendations above.

This is a 2-in-1 device that is both a laptop and a tablet. As such this counts as a laptop and will meet the Grade 6 requirements. A rule of thumb is: if it runs Windows or MacOS operating systems then it will be considered a laptop.

Either laptop will work with our system. While most students do opt for Mac computers and as IT Education specialists, we see Mac as the best for the "learning environment" due to ease of use and functionality, we recommend talking with your child and taking their wishes into consideration. If they strongly advocate for a PC, then they will likely be more invested in learning the functions of the machine and thereby be more comfortable with it.

Either a Pro or Air is appropriate for the BYOD program. If your child is enrolled in a design classes or other classes that require heavy processing, a Pro may be a better choice. However this is not an overt necessity as these classes have lab computers students can access. For the regular school usage the computer will get, the portability and the cost, the MacBook Air is the preferred choice.

It is always good to get the latest version available so as to preserve the longevity of the device. This being said there will always be a new version coming out every 6-12 months so it is impossible to stay at the newest version for long. Our recommendation is to buy the latest version available at the time given that all students must have a workable computer on day one of the school year in August. However if you are waiting to purchase a new computer and have a workable computer that can act as a holdover for a month or so, information on when to buy new Mac products is available at the link below.

Mac Buyer's Guide

It is hard to know when new products will be updated as Apple doesn't publish the information. The link above can provide the best information available but it is still based on rumors and insiders information and not to be used as a hard and fast guide. From what we understand, it could be six months before the new Pro's come out so it is advisable to get the computer now as students ideally would use the same computer throughout their Senior School years and become comfortable with it.

You do not need a CD drive in the laptop. Most software can now be installed via the internet or USB. ISM also has plug in CD drives that can be used on campus to install software via the IT department. If you would like a drive they are usually $100 at Mac or PC stores.

Yes, ISB provides this free of charge to ISB students. It can be downloaded and installed via the myapps.isbasel.ch portal.

This is a real concern and one we are interested in addressing on a continual basis with parents. It is first important to understand what should be balanced, and work back from there. It is important to understand that the screen or device itself is not the "problem" but rather the media and the use of it on the device that can be. As such we advocate setting firm routines for your children for home use of the device. For example, they should be able to use their device for home learning, but only with supervision or in a supervised area. They may be allowed to use it for leisure activities, but again in a supervised situation and for this use, only for a set amount of time. This should be agreed upon ahead of time and not be flexible so there isn't a constant negotiation on it.

To do this we advocate creating a media plan with your child so that you have set agreements for home device use. We will be having parent sessions on this topic throughout the year and can always meet one on one with you to discuss approaches or concerns at your request.

On this website under the tutorials tab there are guides for how to set parental limits for most devices on the market. We advocate doing this but ideally doing so in a way that the limit pertains to home use so as not to interrupt the student learning at school. For example if you want to set a limit of how much time a child can use a device, the best way is to limit the time of day it can be used, rather that the amount of time, as this will vary based on school activities and could end up with the child having their device shut off mid lesson, or alternatively with them having too much "leisure usage" time at home. 

All maintenance for the hardware device, operating system, software and/or apps purchased by the family are the responsibility of the family. Please try to plan for a prompt turn-around time for any service or repair work to minimize the impact on the students. Should your child need to borrow a computer at school during a repair time, they may do so, but only during the day and for a limited time as our resources are limited in this regard.

It is recommended that students utilize a protective "sleeve" to help protect against minor bumps and scratches while transporting them in their bags. To protect the laptop even more, a laptop case may be used. These are often plastic shells that fit over the laptop and remain in place.

Another common form of damage comes from the spillage of beverages onto keyboards - this generally results in quite expensive damage and so we advise students to not have open liquids (cups/cans) around their devices. 

It is always good to get the latest version available so as to preserve the longevity of the device. This being said there will always be a new version coming out every 6-12 months so it is impossible to stay at the newest version for long. Our recommendation is to buy the latest version available at the time given that all students must have a workable computer on day one of the school year in August. However if you are waiting to purchase a new computer and have a workable computer that can act as a holdover for a month or so, information on when to buy new Mac products is available at the link below.

Mac Buyer's Guide

In Aesch, devices will be kept in the classrooms in the cubbies and we will take precautions like teachers locking their rooms to have them be safe. In Fiechten, devices will be kept in students lockers. Devices won't be used outside of class time and so they won't be brought out into the playground  or areas where they can be lost or damaged at break or lunch. In Reinach, devices will be kept in students lockers. Since students will be using them outside of classes we will have a rule wherein an unattended laptop will be seen as lost and brought to the Senior School Reception to be collected by the student.

Yes, this is an option we are making available to Aesch and Fiechten students. At Aesch students will be able to check their devices into a trolley to be locked up over night and check them back out the next day. At Fiechten students will be able to leave the devices in their lockers and charge them during class time. At Reinach, the workload in the Senior School dictates that independent work on the device at home is critical and as such the device needs to go home with the student on a daily basis.

Yes, teachers have been engaged in a multi-year long practice of using devices that are school owned. In addition, obligatory and voluntary training has been provided as well as co-teaching and coaching opportunities. The BYOD program is the next logical step in the use of devices in our learning environment and due to the thoughtful ramp up, a well managed step.

This is a real concern and one we are interested in addressing on a continual basis with parents. It is first important to understand what should be balanced, and work back from there. It is important to understand that the screen or device itself is not the "problem" but rather the media and the use of it on the device that can be. As such we advocate setting firm routines for your children for home use of the device. For example, they should be able to use their device for home learning, but only with supervision or in a supervised area. They may be allowed to use it for leisure activities, but again in a supervised situation and for this use, only for a set amount of time. This should be agreed upon ahead of time and not be flexible so there isn't a constant negotiation on it.

To do this we advocate creating a media plan with your child so that you have set agreements for home device use. We will be having parent sessions on this topic throughout the year and can always meet one on one with you to discuss approaches or concerns at your request.

On this website under the tutorials tab there are guides for how to set parental limits for most devices on the market. We advocate doing this but ideally doing so in a way that the limit pertains to home use so as not to interrupt the student learning at school. For example if you want to set a limit of how much time a child can use a device, the best way is to limit the time of day it can be used, rather that the amount of time, as this will vary based on school activities and could end up with the child having their device shut off mid lesson, or alternatively with them having too much "leisure usage" time at home. 

In the past "computer class" was utilized to teach explicit computer skills. While this is successful in some cases, in most others the learning is often quickly forgotten as it is not integrated and immediately applied to a practical situation that provides value to the skill. As such, the teaching of computer skills will be integrated into the current units the students are working on. An example might be, learning to the technical skill of creating a graph while doing the data collection and processing involved in a science unit of inquiry.

At Aesch, typing large amounts of text is not a mainstay of the curriculum, and so typing will not be explicitly taught at this time. However, in Grade 6 and 7 it will be a planned element of the program. If you wish to have your child practice their typing skills at home, we recommend this resource as a good home learning activity for your child to engage in. Best practice is short periods of typing practice (10-20 minutes) several times a week (3-4 times). The words per minute average with a 90+% accuracy rate at the fifth grade level is 25 wpm.

Yes, some of these skills will be worked into the curriculum (i.e. in math). Others will be explicitly taught in clubs. To find out what clubs are offered contact us or the office for more information.

Yes, restrictions will be determined based on age and campus. At Aesch and Fiechten as devices are for learning purposes and only to be used with supervision, they will be only allowed to be used in classes and not taken out for break or lunch without supervision. Before and after school, devices should not be taken out of the book-bag and used in the foyer or other directly supervised situations like on the playground. At Reinach, as students move to a more independent learning model, devices usage will be allowed according to Device Friendly vs Device Free zoning which will be articulated to students and include posters as reminders.