Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies are common in schools, necessitating students to bring their own laptops for learning. Astonishingly, 10% to 15% of students lack personal laptops, despite their essential role in accessing education. Translating to approximately
4,000 to 6,000 secondary students in the south east of Melbourne without access to their own device. Ensuring equitable access to technology is crucial for fostering an inclusive and effective learning environment.
Why Laptops are an essential learning tool:
- Many textbooks are only available in software copies,
- Some curriculum areas are only accessible by computer,
- More learning tasks are now completed outside of school hours - requiring online access.