Frequently Asked Questions

BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Device. It is a method of program delivery at Algonquin College which requires students to use mobile devices to enhance their learning experience in and out of the classroom.

A BYOD Program integrates mobile and web-based technologies into its delivery structure and culture. These technologies are used to enhance learning, foster collaboration and prepare learners for a career in which information is available anytime and anyplace. Students are required to own and bring a mobile device to class that meets or exceeds the specifications determined by the program.

BYOD prepares students to be anytime, anywhere learners and to access and interpret career-related information which is always available and evolving. Knowledge of how to search for and interpret evolving information prepares students to become lifelong learners.

A BYOD classroom, is an upgraded e-classroom with enhanced wireless access, network drops, power management and a touch screen monitor at the instructor’s station.

The selection of the mobile device and hardware requirements for each program are based on the software used,  the learning outcomes of the field of study and online resources each program area expects their students to make use of.

Algonquin College’s Connections: The Campus Store has computers, laptops (Mac and PC), tablets, supplies and much more at educational rates. However, you can purchase your device anywhere, as long as it meets the program requirements.

You will not have to upgrade your mobile device as you enter into your next year. You are, however, eligible for the software upgrades as they become available.

All your questions about managing a Mac can be answered at the following link: Mac Computers.

All full-time students are charged a technology fee every semester. This fee includes:

• Access to industry-leading software
• Support with setting up network access and troubleshooting for your device
• Use of a loaner pool of mobile devices if your device is ever in for repairs
• A full subscription to LinkedIn Learning and other online resources
• IT services

Students in BYOD programs will take the majority of their courses in the College’s newly renovated classrooms which provide electrical outlets to the desk and access to the Colleges network and internet via both wireless and hardwired technologies. The mobile fee also provides you access to Microsoft Office, Windows operating system (both new and upgrades), the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, a full subscription to LinkedIn Learning, as well as many other resources and services.

Nearly all full time programs are considered BYOD. Refer to the BYOD Program list to see which device is required for your program.

Students in BYOD programs are expected to have a mobile device at the beginning of the term. The College will have a limited number of devices that will be made available to students through ITS on a short-term, on-campus only, loan basis. Students in BYOD programs who own a laptop that is in for repairs are entitled to borrow a laptop from ITS for up to three weeks.

Part-time faculty will be issued laptops through the College’s evergreening process, and a limited number of departmentally-held devices will be available for loan. In general, new devices will not be issued to part-time faculty.

Yes! Please bear in mind that information pertaining to the identity of students or the progress within a course is considered confidential. Steps must be taken to ensure that privacy and security of information is maintained. Please refer to Policy AA42 for more information.

The curriculum content that you teach will remain the same; the content is not generally affected by the tools students have to access course materials. However, the way the content is administered may change. As a faculty member (and as a faculty team teaching in a program of study), you may consider options to substitute, augment or modify the way content is made available and/or how students engage with the materials. The use of eTexts, online resources or interactive digital activities will introduce new learning opportunities.

Speak with a member from Learning and Teaching Services (LTS) for more information.

It is important to set clear expectations on mobile device usage early, during the first class. Structured and unstructured learning can occur with and without laptops. When learning without laptops is deliberate and planned, there should be open communications within the classroom and an expectation to ‘put aside’ the laptop or to simply close the lid.

The laptop is a resource and ought to be used when it offers an advantage to the current activities or when there is a clear reason for its use. This may be a planned and deliberate situation, or dynamic as per the flow of classroom activities.

No. The use of the laptop in the classroom environment is ultimately at the discretion of the course instructor.

Learning and Teaching Services (LTS) is available to discuss the BYOD program and resource availability, assist with educational technology, curriculum support, and support for teaching. Contact us by visiting https://www.algonquincollege.com/lts

If you require technical support, please contact the ITS Helpdesk at https://www.algonquincollege.com/its

As faculty and staff, you can prepare for this initiative through your willingness to be innovative and supportive of the role information and mobile technologies play in the life of today’s students. Collaborating and sharing information with colleagues, attending professional development workshops, accessing online information, and asking for help when you need it are just some of the ways you can prepare.

As a first step visit the LTS website.