At Craigslea SHS, the expectation is that our students take part in the Bring Your Own Device program (BYOD). Detailed information about the program and its requirements is available here. It is highly recommended to read this document, as it contains helpful information that may influence your purchasing decisions. Below is a subset of the most important information about the requirements of the program.
What is a BYOD program?
A BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program is an initiative where students bring their own laptops to use for educational purposes in school. This allows students to access digital resources, collaborate with classmates, and engage in learning activities using their own familiar technology. Additionally, students may continue to access many of the materials on their device when away from the school's network.
What can students access through their device?
Students have access to digital learning platforms and modules such as:
- QLearn (Education Queensland's online learning system)
- Microsoft 365 suite (includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more)
- OneNote (digital notetaking)
- OneDrive (includes 1TB of secure online storage per student for school work)
- ClickView video service
- Adobe Creative Cloud suite (includes Photoshop, Lightroom and more)
- Campion MyConnect2 (for electronic versions of student textbooks)
Craigslea will continue to maintain appropriate levels of access to computing labs and facilities for specialist courses, such as Design and Digital Technologies & Performing and Visual Arts.
Device Requirements
The below table outlines the minimum and recommended specifications supported by CSHS BYOD.
Please note: Students with devices that do not meet the minimum specifications will have issues connecting to and using the school's network, significantly impacting learning. IT support may also be limited.
| Screen Size/Resolution | 12" screen or larger (measured diagonally), minimum 1080p (Full HD) resolution. |
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| Processor | Intel – Core i3 minimum, i5/Ultra 5 or better recommended (must be at least quad-core) AMD – Ryzen R3 minimum, R5 or better recommended | Apple – M1 or newer recommended
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| Memory (RAM) | 8GB minimum, 16GB recommended |
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| Storage | 256GB SSD minimum, 512GB or more recommended. eMMC or HDD (Hard Drive) storage is highly discouraged due to significantly lower performance. |
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| Operating System | Windows 10 minimum, Windows 11 recommended (S Mode not supported) | macOS – Sonoma 14 or later.
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| Wireless | Dual-band Wi-Fi capable (can connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi networks). Devices with Wi-Fi 5, 6, 6E or 7 (aka. AC, AX) compatibility will meet this requirement. |
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| Ports/Extra Features | Physical keyboard, at least 1 USB-C port supporting display output, headphone/3.5mm port (or a headphone adaptor), built-in microphone, webcam
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| Battery | Minimum of 8+ hours, recommended capacity of at least 45WHr (watt-hours). Note: Some laptop makers will overstate the true battery life of their device. It is recommended to seek third-party reviews and testing of a particular device to verify that battery life is good enough to last the school day. |
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Battery Life
Devices must be fully charged, or charged enough to last, before the start of every school day. Significant class disruptions will occur if the device runs out of charge before the end of the day.
It is the student and parent's responsibility to ensure that the device has sufficient battery life to last the school day.
Alternative Devices
Device types such as Chromebooks and Android tablets (i.e., Samsung Galaxy Tab) are not supported in the BYOD program. Linux devices are also not supported at this time. This is due to the limited compatibility these devices have with the Departmental network.
Additionally, it is not recommended to use an Apple iPad as a BYOD device, however iPads that were used at a previous school can be used in Years 7 & 8. If an iPad is used in these year levels and becomes broken or unsuitable for the student's needs, please do not purchase a new iPad, and instead purchase a device that meets or exceeds the minimum specifications. For Year 9 and above, iPads are not to be used as a primary BYO device, and are only allowed to be used as a companion to another device that meets or exceeds the minimum specifications.
Recommended Additional Equipment
- Headphones/earphones with a microphone
- USB flash drive of at least 32GB for backing-up schoolwork
- Laptop Case/Sleeve (soft or hard shell)
Selecting a Device
A key benefit of the BYOD program is the ability to tailor a device to your student's needs. If possible, it is recommended to test devices in-person to determine if the device's build quality, keyboard, screen size and other features would suit your student's needs.
To aid in this, the below table outlines some of the key features to look for in a device. These features are not required to successfully use a device for most schoolwork, however may help your child's learning in some subjects.
| Performance |
| Students interested in technical/graphical subjects (Design, Digital Technologies etc.) and who want to work creatively (music production, art/illustration etc.) will want more performance in a device. | - Power and speed: consider 16GB of RAM and a newer, faster processor
- Storage: 512GB SSD or more may be needed for storing many large media files/applications
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| Functionality |
| Students interested in taking digital notes and/or illustration will want more flexibility from their device. | - Touchscreen with digital pen support and pressure sensitivity
- “2-in-1" or detachable form factor
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| Creating videos, music, scientific data logging etc. | - Good quality microphone and camera
- Multiple USB ports and a port for display output
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Portability
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Ultra-portability could be of concern if your child: - walks long distances to/from school
- uses public transport
- cannot comfortably carry more weight
| - Higher portability – smaller screen size, less weight
- Less moving parts (no spinning hard-drive or optical drive)
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Durability
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| Concerns about device damage or failure over time (accidents happen, but they happen to some people more often!). | - Less moving parts (no spinning hard-drive or optical drive)
- High chassis build quality and anti-pick/spill resistant keyboards
- Hard-shell case/sleeve for daily transport
- Extended warranty and accidental damage protection
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For more information, please refer to the BYOD Program Information document here or email helpdesk@craigsleashs.eq.edu.au with any queries.