Through Inspiring Education, Alberta Education has identified several policy shifts needed to support students to become engaged thinkers and ethical citizens, with an entrepreneurial spirit. One of those shifts requires students to use technology to support the creation and sharing of knowledge, as recognized in the Learning and Technology Policy Framework (2013).
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Initiative
Parkland School Division is committed to using the power of technology in a purposeful and meaningful way to deepen understanding and demonstrate learning. We hope to encourage an environment where each student has their own mobile device. With 1:1 technology availability, our goal is for every student to have greater access to all the resources necessary for learning, and for our students to develop digital citizenship and social responsibility.
Does my child have to bring in their own device?
PSD students are not required to bring in their own devices. The school will have other devices for use which may or may not be assigned to the student, their home classroom or a specific classroom they are working in. The BYOD Initiative is entirely optional, and PSD's Technology Services Department will not manage nor fix any student-owned BYOD devices.
BYOD Partners
Partner: Apple
Advantages:
- Apple’s education pricing
- Free shipping for orders over $75
- Product customization and personalization options
- Wide range of Apple products and third-party accessories
- Financing via Apple Financial Services
- Ability to purchase and auto-enroll AppleCare Protection Plan and AppleCare+
- Visit the Apple Store for Education
Partner: BCom
Advantages:
- Extended education discounting for students
- Specializes in hardware sales and direct support of their products (Chromebooks and custom-built computer systems like HP, Lenovo, Acer, ASUS, Lexmark and more)
- Employs qualified technicians to assist and perform warranty repairs
- Free startup check and quick quality check offered on products, right in front of the customer
- Parents must register to create a BCOM account and then use a special School Access Code (98748231) to access this education discount.
- For more information contact:
Dustin Plant, Representative
BCOM Computer Centre Inc.
15051-118 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
Phone: 780-485-8800 ext. 409
In a BYOD learning environment, the aim is for teachers to work with students to explore, create, think critically, collaborate and imagine various opportunities. We believe that educational technology has the potential to make learning more exciting and relevant with various kinds of media, materials and resources.
To get more information about Parkland School Division's BYOD Initiative, read the Technology for Learning - A Parent Resource handout.
Device Guidelines
We do not endorse any specific mobile device; we merely recommend that it have the following capabilities:
- Internet connectivity (through Wi-Fi or other means)
- Ability to connect to Google Workspace for Education
- A keyboard - integrated, Bluetooth or touch screen
- Word processing capability (should be able to produce more than 1 paragraph)
- 6 hours of battery life
- Ability to integrate images, video and sound
For more information contact:
Parkland School Division
Phone: 780-963-4010
Email: DivisionOffice@psd.ca