2020-21 School Year – Archived August 14, 2020
-
Bring Your Own Device
Recommended specifications for personal student devices can be found at www.fortbendisd.com/byodguide.
-
Technology Tools
Standardized Technology Tools to support consistency
- Microsoft Teams for live, real time, synchronous instruction via videoconference
- Schoology Learning Management System for instructional delivery, communication, and progress monitoring
- Respondus LockDown Browser to facilitate integrity of assessments
- FBISD 1Link to support improved access through single sign on and provide data analytics
-
Technology Distribution Plan
- The Back to School Readiness Form will be used to determine student need and assign devices
- FBISD will transition device distribution to a campus-based model offering student pickup at their assigned campus
- Phase 1 | August 5–14
- Phase 2 | August 17–28
Technology
-
Forms: My students are returning to FBISD. Do I still need to verify enrollment of my students?
Yes. All students need to have their information verified by their parents.
-
Forms: Do I have to fill this Online Enrollment Verification if I don’t need a device?
Yes. We need all parents to complete this process for each of their students to ensure all information in Skyward is correct. In addition to the Back to School Readiness Form, the verification process also includes other required forms.
-
Forms: Why are we being asked to fill out all forms even though we are starting online and some of these are not applicable?
While it may seem that some of these are not applicable, the District is trying to gather as much information at once to minimize confusion for parents. These are standard forms for the start of school and several new forms based starting school during a pandemic.
-
Forms: If I fill out the Back to School Readiness Form am I committing to online or face-to-face?
No, we are not asking parents to choose between online instruction and face-to-face at this time. Parents will be asked to indicate their preference prior to the transition to face-to-face instruction.
-
Forms: On the form, question 1 asks: “Does student have a dedicated mobile device they can use for school work both at home and at school." Does this mean that a student will be required to bring a device to school when face-to-face instruction begins?
Currently, we are concentrating on making sure that our students who need a device receive a loaner device for the start of schools. As you may know, in Fort Bend ISD’s Blended Learning model, technology devices are integrated as a tool in the classroom for use when the instruction calls for it as a resource. We will continue to plan and prepare for the time when students are able to return to face-to-face classroom. In the face-to-face environment, our teachers will plan for and provide devices for student access and students will not be required to bring a device to campus; however, they will be allowed to bring their own device if they desire to do so, but campuses will provide devices for any and all integration of blended learning in the face-to-face environment. We will have more details to plan once all schools start and all of our students are online and accounted for. Currently, we simply do not have enough data to plan.
-
Forms: I have several children. Do I need to complete online enrollment for each student?
Every student will need to have an Online Verification completed for him/her.
-
Devices: Are loaner laptops available to anyone, or only those who have a financial needs?
All students will need a device in order to participate in online instruction. As Dr. Dupre indicated, our model is “1: need.” The District will provide our student with a device if s(he) needs one to attend online classes this fall.
-
Devices: Will all students that need a device be provided with one? What about hotspots?
Ultimately, this will depend on how many students request a device, but it is our goal to be able to provide each student in need with a device. However, due to the very limited number of hotspots, we do not know if we will be able to provide a hot spot to each family. We are encouraging families to consider low cost Internet options that are as low as $10 a month. There are programs such as AT&T Access and Comcast Internet Essentials among others that are available.
- The Back to School Readiness Form which is part of the student enrollment verification process will be used to determine student need and assign devices
- FBISD will transition device distribution to a campus-based model offering student pickup at their assigned campus
-
Devices: Why is there a cost associated with borrowing these devices?
As good stewards of our taxpayers' money, we have to make sure that our families take good care of the devices so that they will return to the classrooms once the environment allows our students to return. Outside of the Bond, we have no other source of funding to replace missing, stolen, or broken devices. Fortunately, most of our 7,000 families who borrowed a laptop this Spring took very good care of the devices. There is a schedule of costs associated with broken, lost, or stolen device on the Lending Library Form. By stating the costs of repair and replacement, our families will have a vested interest in protecting the loaner laptops.
-
Devices: I turned my hotspot for my child in. Do I need to request for another one? Do I need one for each child?
The parent only needs to request one hotspot for the family. All devices can work off the same hotspot.
-
Devices: I checked out a laptop in the Spring for my child. Do I need to return it and ask for another one?
No, you can keep the laptop. We already have the laptop recorded in Skyward under your child’s information. You do not need to request another one.
-
Devices: In the Spring, I only asked for one laptop due to the limitation of 1 device for every three students. What should I do?
Because of the required synchronous learning, we recognize there is now an increased need for devices in a household. When filling out the online enrollment verification, please indicate the need for each child.
-
Devices: Are the loaner devices old and outdated?
The laptops that we are lending to our families are only about 1-1.5 years old. We are also receiving new devices this summer that have not yet been deployed to campuses.
-
BYOD: When students return to the classroom for face-to-face instruction, can my child bring his/her device to class?
When conditions allow our students to return to face-to-face instruction, students may bring their personal device with them. The campus will work with our students on best practices to protect themselves and their property. While the District cannot guarantee the student’s device will not get damaged, we will take every effort to limit exposure to situations that would increase the risk of damage. Security cameras are in our schools should there be a need to review footage of a discipline issue, and we have processes in place to deter this kind of behavior.
-
BYOD and Home Use Devices: If I want to purchase a device for my student, where can I find the recommended device specifications.
Recommended device specifications can be found on the BYOD Guide at www.fortbendisd.com/byodguide.
-
BYOD and Home Use Devices: What were the driving factors used to define the BYOD recommendations?
Several factors were taken into consideration while drafting the recommendations. This includes functionality, ease of use, portability, display size, keyboard accessory and compliance with online testing software.
-
BYOD and Home Use Devices: Why were Chromebooks and Android Devices not considered?
These devices were considered, however they do not meet the requirements of the online testing software. Chromebooks and Android Tablets can be used for other class assignments.
See answer to "What are the requirements for the online testing software?"
-
BYOD and Home Use Devices: What are the requirements for the online testing software?
The Software Vendor has very specific requirements in order to run their online testing software. The requirements are noted as follows and if it is not listed it is not supported.
Operating Systems
Windows: 10, 8, 7
Mac: macOS 10.12 to 10.15
iOS: 11.0 or newerMemory
Windows: 2 GB RAM
Mac: 2 GB RAM
Hard Disk Space
Windows: 200 MB of free hard disk space
Mac: 200 MB of free hard disk space -
BYOD and Home Use Devices: Why are certain devices recommended for certain grade levels?
Device grade level recommendations were specified based on how well a student can handle those devices from a physical perspective but as well as for curriculum requirements on the software side. iPads are typically assigned to younger students because of the Apps associated with the device. Likewise older students, primarily secondary, have similar needs that tie their applications back to their device type.
-
BYOD and Home Use Devices: What Apple Products can I use?
iPads, MacBooks and iMac’s can be used based on the requirements.
See answer to "What are the requirements for the online testing software?"
-
BYOD and Home Use Devices: Why can’t I use an older iPad or MacBook with an older version of iOS or MacOS?
Apple maintains tight application development controls with the apps written for their devices. As the Operating System ages the developers are required to update their software. In those situations certain apps may fail yet others may work. In addition there will be compatibility issues with the District Testing Software as noted in the requirements.
See answer to "What are the requirements for the online testing software?"
-
BYOD and Home Use Devices: Can I use a Chromebook for other schoolwork?
Yes, you can use it for the majority of the class assignments; however it will not be compatible with the testing software when testing is required.
See answer to "What are the requirements for the online testing software?"
-
BYOD and Home Use Devices: Can I use a Windows PC?
Yes as long as it meets the requirements noted.
See answer to "What are the requirements for the online testing software?"
-
BYOD and Home Use Devices: Can I use a Windows PC Desktop?
At home you, you may certainly use a PC Desktop. However, because it is not a portable device, it would be a home use-only device. Again, it has to meet the requirements noted to be used for online testing.
-
BYOD and Home Use Devices: Can I use a Windows Tablet?
Yes as long as it meets the requirements noted for testing. Please note that a Windows Surface may be configured with Windows 10s which is not supported with online testing software. Windows 10s can be switched directly on the device by the device owner.
-
BYOD and Home Use Devices: Can I use an Android Tablet?
For the majority of the class assignments Android Tablets can be considered. But they will not work for online testing.
See answer to "What are the requirements for the online testing software?"
-
BYOD and Home Use Devices: Why can’t I use an Android Phone?
The screens are typically too small and are not recommended for extensive class work.