The topmost consideration was whether the device supports learning activities in class. Chromebook was conceived for educational purposes by Google. It not only works seamlessly with Google Suite, but also Student Learning Space and the software that the school will be using.
In addition, the school also looked at cost, weight and stability. Lenovo Chromebook 500e is user-friendly, lightweight and stable. The cost is also reasonable.
Can my child not purchase the device?
Every student is required to have a device for teaching and learning purposes. Students are strongly encouraged to use the device model prescribed by the school, as the uniformity of systems and software would ensure a smooth learning experience for everyone.
Can my child use his/her own device?
If you would like your child to use his/her own device, please let the school know. A date will be arranged for your device to be brought down to check for compatibility with the Device Management App (DMA), which only runs on the Chrome operating system. If the device is found suitable, it will be formatted and the DMA will be installed.
If the device is not compatible with the DMA, you will need to purchase the device for your child. This will cause delays in your child receiving the new device for T&L.
Can I buy iPad or Microsoft Surface for my child instead?
Other devices will not be compatible with the school’s software.
Can my children share their devices with one another/ family members?
Under PDLP, the device belongs to the student. Each student is to have his/her own device so that at no point will teaching and learning, or extension activities, be affected.
How long will the license for the software be valid for?
The license will be valid for as long as the student is in the school.
Use of the Device
Will the learning device replace books?
The device will not replace books, but will instead complement them and augment students’ learning by giving them access to more varied resources.
Where will the students save their work? Will they use cloud storage, the device’s internal memory, or external storage devices?
There are several options available to students – the most convenient being Google Drive, which comes with the iCON email accounts that all students will be given. Students may also save their work on their devices as well as external storage devices, if they choose to.
Will next year’s Secondary 4 students continue to use the device?
Yes, current Secondary 3 students will continue to use their devices and apps for learning next year.
Other Questions
What will happen to the device after the student graduates?
The DMA will be uninstalled and the student will be able to use it like any other devices.
Can students leave their devices in school overnight?
We strongly recommend that students bring their devices home on a daily basis. This would allow them to complete their homework at home, as well as engage in independent learning. The laptop contains licensed software, which may not be available on other devices.
It is also important for every student to charge his device fully at home every day so that he can participate in the learning activities the next day.
Can the hardware (eg RAM) of these devices be upgraded if their performance decline with time later on? How will technical issues be addressed?
There are no options to upgrade the hardware of the device. Please be assured that the specifications are sufficient for the learning needs of the students.
Troubleshooting will be carried out by the school’s IT support staff. In some cases, the vendor will assist in diagnosing issues and performing repairs.
