BYOD Program

The Haverford School's BYOD is in keeping with the best interest of our students and aims to enrich our academic curriculum. It reflects a perspective about students as independent learners who use their own tools in their own way.

Under our close supervision, the devices will be used to access information, and to communicate, create and publish well-crafted products, to collaborate unconfined by the limits of time and space. Students will develop an individual competency with their hardware and software and is so doing, emerge as the third, most essential component of working with technologies...the "humanware."

No, as long as the device is functioning properly and is able to meet the minimum hardware specifications listed above, a student may use a device that he already owns. More than half of our students already bring personal computing devices to school on a daily basis.

Students are required to bring in a personally owned device each day in the same way that they are required to bring other learning support materials like textbooks, pencils, notebooks, etc. It is not optional.

Yes. One of the goals of BYOD is ubiquitous and continuous access as a way to build information literacy. This means access to the learning tools on a device at home and school. Some homework assignments will require students to use a digital device, while others will not.

Your son will most likely use his device as a work management tool (tracking assignments, word processing, web research, calendaring, etc.) on a daily basis. However, whether or not a personal computing device is used in class on any given day depends entirely upon your teacher's judgment about the best tools to use for instruction. At various times, your son’s teachers lecture, engage in discussions, panels, or simulations, ask him to read silently or aloud, work in groups, go on field trips, or engage in technology-enhanced lessons. A digital device is a very powerful tool for engaging in scholarly work, but it is not the only tool that teachers use to deliver high-quality learning experiences at Haverford.

Digital Citizenship topics are woven into the curriculum at all levels. Topics may include copyright and source citation, information privacy, search strategies, and rules for online discussion and social media. In addition, it is important for parents to be aware of and guide students on how to be a good digital citizen when using devices. You can visit the parent section at https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ to learn more about Digital Citizenship. You can learn more about acceptable use in the BYOD Policy, above. 

One of the advantages of a BYOD program is that students are already familiar with their own machines. However, each Form III student will be required to come to Haverford before school begins for a variety of orientation activities. Information and instruction on how his device interfaces with his life at school will be integrated into the orientation sessions.

Teachers are not responsible for getting student devices up and running. Students are to be the experts of their own devices, or they can help one another.

Yes. Haverford provides options for student printing and instructions will be provided to students. This said, we expect there to be less need for printing as more assignments are handed in electronically.

What happens if student forgets a textbook? Or an assignment that is due that day? This is a problem that will be handled according to each teacher's policy. You should not rely on being able to use a Tech Department loaner computer, as students who need a loaner while their own computer is being fixed take top priority, and often there are not enough laptops left for students who forgot their computers elsewhere.

Haverford has never had a laptop stolen out of a school-provided secured student locker. It is up to the student to decide when to secure their device in his locker, and students who carelessly leave their devices out may return to find those devices missing. We believe strongly in the Haverford compass which includes honesty and respect (for one’s self and for others) but also includes responsibility.

Haverford will not warranty or repair any student-owned device. Repair, replacement, or substitution is the responsibility of the student and his or her family. The school will, for a limited time only, provide a student with a loaner device to make repairs or procure a replacement device, but extended loans will not be permitted.

For student devices in harsh environments (backpacks, buses, etc.) we strongly recommend families investigate warranty and replacement programs. Most vendors offer warranties on new devices, but families should be careful to select a warranty that covers accidental damage rather than simply mechanical failure due to defect. Comprehensive warranties that include accidental damage (cracked screens, spilled liquids, shattered cases, missing keys) cost more, but enable the device to be replaced or repaired quickly, often without additional cost.

Students who are financially responsible for their own device will take more care to protect it from harm or damage. That said, accidents can happen to even the most responsible device owner.

Computers can be purchased at any big box electronics store or online. Models that meet our minimum capacity requirements can run from as little as $200 to as much as $1,200.

The devices will be purchased and owned by families.

Families that cannot afford a computer should contact the Upper School Office.

No. Just as you are expected to provide your own textbooks, pencils, or calculator, each student is expected to have his own computer.

No, you don't need wireless Internet access at home, but you should have some type of Internet access.

Students who do not have internet access at home should contact the Upper School Office.

Most software licenses only permit installation of software on computers owned by the school. This is why we recommend the use of free, open source software. In the event that a particular program is a required, your classroom teacher will provide you with instructions.

We anticipate that not every class will use an electronic device in a lesson every day. Considering today's electronic device battery technology, the device's battery charge should be sufficient for lessons requiring use of the device throughout the day.

You are expected to come to school each day with your laptop computer fully charged. If you need to connect your laptop to a charger during class, most classrooms are equipped with power strips for students to use if their battery is running low, but a few classrooms and spaces on campus do not have plentiful outlets and power strips for charging.

You are expected to use your computer in a way that conserves power so that it is available for use during your classes. If you are using your computer, especially for energy intensive tasks like streaming video, during free periods, you run the risk of depleting the batteries and not having enough power for class. Make sure to charge your laptop at regular intervals as needed.

Laptop computers can be used anywhere on campus except the Dining Hall during lunches. All computer use—in and out the the classroom—is subject to our BYOD policy and our school Honor Code.

Yes, but not during class unless you are asked to do so by your teacher. Earbuds or headsets should always be used whenever listening to computer audio, unless you are directed to do otherwise by your teacher. You should take care to keep volume at a moderate level to not only protect your own hearing but to also be sure the sound is not distracting to others. You can learn more about acceptable use in the BYOD Policy.

1. An extended warranty (costs to repair a laptop computer can be high)

2. Theft and hazard insurance (warranties do not cover abuse, theft, or accidental damage)

3. External hard drive for backing up files (learning to perform regular back-ups and how to restore from a backup are very important skills)

4. Additional AC power adapter (in case you want to have one at school and one at home) and high capacity battery if available

5. Headset or earbuds (for private listening)

6. Protective laptop computer sleeve or backpack with a computer compartment (to better protect the device)

7. Microfiber cleaning cloth to remove fingerprints from the screen