My Technology, My Learning, My Style

These are a collection of stories and notes giving an insight into how AIS students use their own technology for learning in middle and high school. Our BYOT program encourages students to learn about their own strengths, learning styles and interests, and to use technology that compliments their learning and growth.

Small and Simple
My tablet for learning

I’ve bought an iPad to use at school this year. In the past I didn’t use much technology for learning, I would use my phone whenever a teacher had an online poll or quick survey to complete. Any homework would be done on my computer at home. Otherwise, my phone is really for communicating with friends and organising my calendar.

My new iPad has been really easy to use, the apps are useful and the screen is so much bigger and nicer than working on my phone. I like that the iPad takes up very little space, and allows me to separate my academic work from my personal phone use, while still keeping my calendars in sync. I never have to wait for it to boot up and I don't need to learn the ins and outs of computers - I just get straight to work. The keyboard means I really can do all my work on my iPad, like essay writing, forum posting, emailing, etc. It also connects easily to my computer at home, which I use to work on longer assignments and print documents.

Please note that, as of school year 2016-17, students are required to have the Chrome Browser for Desktop as a minimum requirement. The iPad does not meet this requirement on its own, nor does an Android tablet.

All in the Cloud
Efficient productivity with a Chromebook and Smartphone 

I love my Chromebook - it’s light, fast and the battery lasts all day. As long as there’s internet available, I access all my school email, Google documents and Chrome apps. In fact, there are some things, such as typing an essay and creating a presentation, that you can do offline too. There are apps for almost everything. Chrome apps are generally quick and simple, and I never worry about losing my files - they are all stored in the cloud. I also hear that bigger apps, like Photoshop, will be available for Chrome soon too - the Chrome Web Store is bursting with solutions to help me get my work done quickly and efficiently.

My Android phone syncs all my Google data too - I use it as a secondary device, when I’m on the move, to get notifications and when getting my laptop out would be more troublesome. I also use my phone as an internet hotspot, allowing me to work on my Chromebook when I’m off campus.

Power, comfort, familiarity
Why I love using my Windows 8 laptop

I have a Windows 8 laptop that I have used for a couple years now. I’m not so familiar or comfortable with Macs, Chromebooks or other devices, but I know my Windows PCs and it works well for me. When I create documents in Word or Powerpoint, all my classmates can open them. It’s a great laptop that’s powerful enough for all my academic work, plus I use it for entertainment too - the games my friends and I play are all available on Windows.

When I have a pending deadline, I sometimes use Google apps through my phone while commuting on the MTR, which I can then download and print from my laptop when I get home. It's useful to have a phone for quick access to the web.

Mac it up
A suite of Apple products

I have a Mac Air. My family generally use a lot of Mac products, so my Mac Air is great for sharing and interacting with the other devices at home. I got this Mac Air particularly for school work, while I use the iMac at home, which is faster and bigger, for work and leisure. In English and Biology this year, a lot of worksheets and school work have been put online. I've found it quick and easy for me to open up a document on my laptop and put in answers as we learn about them during the lesson. This way I don't need to wait for or log into school computers, and I can continue my work at any time. I've also had to make videos on it for Mandarin class, and accessing the Internet is invaluable to research. At lunch I sometimes watch a video on my Mac Air with friends. I bring an iPhone with me, but I usually only use it when my Mac Air battery runs low, or to make phone calls.

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