Competency in using IT is one of the important 21st century skill, it is of no doubt that our daily life cannot get rid of IT and internet. The school has to enhance students’ information literacy and the development of their relevant knowledge, skills and attitude for their learning and studies. The Education Bureau (EDB) has launched the Fourth Strategy on Information Technology in Education in the 2015/16 school year for using IT to enhance the effectiveness of learning and teaching, classroom interaction as well as students’ ability in self-directed learning, problem-solving and collaboration.

There are many advantages of allowing students to bring their own mobile computer devices for learning in schools:

• Schools can reduce the preparation workload for conducting e-learning in the class, e.g. there is no need to arrange distribution of mobile devices to students.
• Students can conveniently use their own mobile devices for self-directed learning as well as collaborative learning with their peers both inside and outside the classroom.
• Students can install their own learning resources (e.g. e-textbook) and applications needed in their devices for their learning. As they are familiar with their own devices, they can use the devices effectively for learning.
• Schools can manage the learning materials, delivery/collection of assignments and record students’ learning data, etc. by using a Learning Management System (LMS), teachers can understand students’ overall learning progress more easily.

Reference: EDB website about the introduction and advantages of BYOD

Starting from 2021-2022, the school starts to implement the BYOD policy to all S1 students. They are required to bring their own device for the learning activities in school. Devices with certain specifications are assigned. All devices will be formatted and applied with Mobile Device Management (MDM) System, so that teachers and technical staff can manage the mobile devices connected to the schools’ network for security purpose. And the school can deploy suitable and useful learning and teaching materials and applications to students’ device, thus the school can understand how students use their devices and provide suitable guidance. Students are required to follow the Acceptance Use Policy (AUP) established by the school strictly when using the device in school.

Starting from the 2021-2022 school year, the Quality Education Fund (QEF) would be set to implement a three-year programme. Measures include subsidising schools to purchase mobile computer devices for loan to needy students, and to provide portable WiFi routers and / or mobile data cards for students who are unable to acquire appropriate Internet services due to their living environment constraints, so that all students have equal opportunities in accessing e-learning.
Students meeting the following criteria are eligible to benefit from the Funding Programme:

1. those receiving subsidies under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) from the Social Welfare Department;
2. those receiving full grant/half grant of the School Textbook Assistance Scheme (STAS) from the Student Finance Office; or
3. those with limited economic means identified by schools.

Schools may establish their school-based criteria according to their school contexts and students’ family background to identify students who are with limited economic means, but are not receiving CSSA or STAS. The maximum number of students in this category is 10% of the number of student beneficiaries that meeting the criteria of CSSA and STAS in that school year. If individual schools have genuine needs, they may apply to the Information Technology in Education (ITE) Section of the EDB for increasing the number of student beneficiaries in this category, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Reference: QEF e-Learning Funding Programme

1. For how much will my child use the device in learning?
   The school has invited “Seed Teachers” in each Key Learning Area (KLA), they will design and implement e-learning curriculum in the subject and promote to other subjects and other forms.
2. Could my child use the device for non-learning activities? (e.g. watching YouTube endlessly during the recess in school)
   All devices used in school will be applied with the Mobile Device Management (MDM) System, which can restrict certain applications and websites to be used, so that the device can only be used for learning purpose.
3. Will using a device affect my child’s health? (e.g.eyesight)
   This is another concern of the school. The device is the auxiliary tool to enhance the process of teaching and learning. Teachers will not request students to use the device every minute or every lesson of every day therefore will not affect eyesight.

4. Will the use of IT affect the interaction and communication between teachers and students?
   Different ECAs and activities are arranged in the school to ensure students have enough social contact and communication with each other. The use of IT in addition to provide one more channel to enhance interaction between teachers and students inside and outside of the classroom. Teachers can communicate with students in the non-school days.