Information Technology Update – February 4, 2016

1:1 ICT Devices College wide in 2016

It was wonderful to see all the boys return from holidays refreshed and enthusiastic to start a new year of academic studies. And this is a very significant year for the College in ICT as it is the first year all students across the College will be using a 1:1 ICT device in the classroom. The Junior and Middle School iPad program, which formed the first part of the College eLearning strategy, continues to run in Years 7, 8 and 9. Year 11 students will continue to use the iPads they were issued by the College at the start of 2014 and enter into their 3^rd year of using the iPad as a 1:1 device.

At the end of 2015 all of the College iPads were collected from the Year 9 students. Over the summer holidays these iPads were refurbished, reimaged and fitted with a new protective cover and protective sleeve and will be reallocated to the Year 12 cohort to use as their 1:1 device in their final year at the College. While all Year 12 students will be using hard copy text books and there is a – great emphasis on the use of hand writing as part of their study process, the iPads have the ability to provide them with instant access to the vast range of online resources that can enhance their learning in their final year.

2016 sees of second part of the College eLearning strategy take place with the commencement of the Senior School 1:1 program. This program will be phased in over 3 years and by 2018 will see all Year 10, 11 and 12 students using a Windows tablet notebook. This device was chosen by staff as it is seen to be specifically suited to the design, demands and requirements of the VCE curriculum. It was only after much research and investigation by the College that lead to the decision to select the HP Spectre x360 tablet notebook as the 1:1 device to be used by the Year 10 cohort in 2016. The students were issued with the device at the Year 10 Notebook Boot Camp on Thursday 4^th February. At the Boot Camp, all Year 10 students were instructed on how to setup and use the notebook effectively and to understand the most useful features of the device. The students were also made aware of their obligations to use the device responsibly and how to best care for the device by spending time examining the -‘Protocols For Using My ICT Device Responsibly For Learning’, which formed part of the Handbook and Agreement. The HP Spectre x360 will be used by the Year 10 students for 3 years from Years 10 to Year 12. At the end of Year 12 and after all annual notebook fees have been paid, ownership of the notebook will transfer to the student.

Apple AC Wall Adapter Replacement Program

As you may be aware, Apple have identified a potential problem with the Apple AC Wall Plug Adapter designed for use with Apple devices such as the iPad. Apple has determined that, in very rare cases, the two prong Apple AC wall plug adapters designed for use in Australia may break and create a risk of electrical shock if touched. These wall plug adapters shipped from 2003 to 2015 with Mac and certain iOS devices, and were also included in the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit.

Apple have voluntarily decided to exchange affected wall plug adapters with a new, redesigned adapter, free of charge.

Here is a link to the official statement is here: https://www.apple.com/support/ac-wallplug-adapter/

The College is aware of this situation and the impact it has on the iPads used by our students and the need for all students to replace the Apple AC wall plug adapter.

We are currently in discussion with Apple and plan to give one replacement AC wall plug adapter for each affected student in the College. We hope to have an expected time of arrival of the replacement wall plug adapters soon.

To facilitate the exchange, each student will need to bring from home their current Apple AC wall plug adapter which will then be taken from the student and exchanged for a replacement wall plug. Each student will be entitled to one AC wall plug adapter replacement.

The College will contact parents soon as we have more clarity on the timing of the arrival at the College of the replacement wall plug adapters.

Mark Holland

Director of ICT