Bring Your Own Device

A Chromebook is a laptop that runs exclusively on the Google Chrome web browser. Since ISB primarily uses the Google learning environment, Chromebooks are well-suited for school-related tasks.

However, if your child is interested in activities like video editing, gaming, or other tasks beyond Chrome-based functions, it’s worth discussing their preferences before making a decision. For Design Technology, where advanced computing is needed, ISB provides high-powered Mac laptops for use during class.

Every student’s needs vary, so the choice of device depends on several factors. Below are some scenarios to guide your decision.

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.

The Microsoft Surface Pro is a 2-in-1 device, functioning both as a laptop and a tablet. As it runs Windows, it meets the Grade 6 requirements and is considered a laptop. A general rule of thumb is that if the device runs Windows or macOS, it will be considered a laptop.

Both Apple and PC laptops will work with our system. While most students tend to choose Mac computers, and we, as IT Education specialists, find Macs to be the best fit for the learning environment due to their ease of use and functionality, we recommend discussing the choice with your child. If they have a strong preference for a PC, it might be worth considering, as they will likely feel more invested in learning the machine’s functions and be more comfortable using it.

Both the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are suitable for the BYOD program. If your child is enrolled in design classes or other courses that require heavy processing, the MacBook Pro may be a better choice. However, this is not a strict necessity, as students can access lab computers for these classes. For regular school use, considering factors like portability and cost, the MacBook Air is the preferred choice.

While it’s always great to get the latest version to ensure the longevity of your device, new versions of MacBooks are released every 6-12 months, so it can be difficult to stay up-to-date for long. Our recommendation is to buy the latest version available at the time, as all students need a functional computer by the start of the school year in August. However, if you’re waiting to purchase a new MacBook and have a workable computer that can serve as a holdover for a month or so, you can find more information on when to buy new Mac products at the link below.

Mac Buyer's Guide

It's difficult to predict when Apple will release new products, as they don’t typically announce updates in advance. While the link above can offer the best available information, it’s based on rumors and insider sources, so it shouldn't be relied upon as a definitive guide. From what we know, it may be up to six months before the new MacBook Pros are released. Therefore, it’s advisable to purchase a computer now, as students ideally use the same device throughout their Senior School years to become familiar and comfortable with it.

No, you do not need a CD drive in your laptop. Most software can now be installed via the internet or USB. ISM also provides plug-in CD drives on campus for software installations through the IT department. If you prefer to have a CD drive, they are typically available for around $100 at Mac or PC stores.

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

This is a valid concern, and it's one we aim to address continuously with parents. The first step is understanding what needs to be balanced and working backward from there. It's important to recognize that the device itself isn’t the problem, but rather the media and how it's used on the device.

We recommend setting firm routines for home device use. For example, children can use their devices for home learning, but only in a supervised area. They can also use it for leisure activities, but again, in a supervised setting and for a set amount of time. This should be agreed upon in advance to avoid constant negotiations.

To help with this, we encourage creating a media plan with your child, outlining the rules and expectations for home device use. Throughout the year, we will offer parent sessions on this topic and are always available to meet one-on-one to discuss strategies or concerns at your request.

Under the tutorials tab in our portal, you’ll find guides for setting parental limits on most devices. We encourage parents to set these limits thoughtfully, ensuring they don’t interfere with school learning.

For example, instead of restricting the total amount of time a device can be used, consider setting time-of-day limits. This approach prevents the device from shutting off during a lesson while still managing "leisure usage" time at home effectively.

All maintenance for the hardware device, operating system, software, and/or apps purchased by the family is the family's responsibility. We recommend planning for a prompt turnaround time for any service or repair to minimize the impact on the student’s learning. If your child needs to borrow a computer during a repair period, they may do so at school, but only during the day and for a limited time due to resource constraints.

To safeguard devices, students should use a protective "sleeve" to minimize damage from minor bumps and scratches while transporting them in their bags. For additional protection, a laptop case — often a plastic shell that remains on the laptop — can also be used.

One of the most common forms of damage is liquid spills on keyboards, which can result in costly repairs. Students should avoid having open liquids (cups or cans) near their devices to prevent this type of damage.

• Aesch: Devices will be kept in classrooms in cubbies, with additional precautions such as locked classrooms to ensure safety.
• Fiechten: Devices will be stored in student lockers and are not to be used outside class time, preventing them from being lost or damaged during breaks.
• Reinach: Devices will be kept in student lockers when not in use. Since students will use them outside class, unattended laptops will be considered lost and taken to the Senior School Reception for collection.

• Aesch: Students can check devices into a secure trolley for overnight storage and collect them the next day.
• Fiechten: Students can leave devices in their lockers, where they can also charge them during class.
• Reinach: The workload in Senior School requires independent work at home, so students must take their devices home daily.

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.