STACK #243 January 2025

TECH FEATURE

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As the summer holidays draw to an inevitable close, it’s time for kids to dust off the school bags and gear up for another year of learning, and for parents and guardians to step up the back-to-school prep and equip their young ones with the right tech for the busy year ahead. Words Bec Summer

P reppies are getting ready to venture into primary school life, while seasoned Year 12 students are preparing for the most important year of their education to date. And for both, having the right tech tools in hand can make all the

difference. Technology has become an integral part of modern learning. Gone are the days of chunky textbooks and clunky software. Today's students need reliable devices that can keep up with a demanding curriculum and evolving needs.

Equipping your kids with the right tech for school can also keep them organised, connected, and inspired, so this month we’ve rounded up the essential gear that primary and secondary students should be packing to ace the new school year.

From laptops and tablets to essential accessories like chargers, headphones, and portable power banks, our comprehensive guide will help you choose the right devices according to your child’s school year level and your budget.

BYOD – Bring Your Own Device Before you go shopping it’s essential to check with your school to determine the student technology policy, as all schools will differ. Make sure the device(s) you’re potentially purchasing falls within the guidelines. Schools will generally supply this information to new students and parents, however it also pays to check the school’s website or portal. A school’s BYOD checklist may include device operating systems, as well as the minimum and recommended hardware requirements; these can vary depending on the student’s grade. Check the specs Consider the device’s portability and durability, ease of use, and battery life, as well as connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB ports. Many schools will have a safety policy concerning the charging of devices, so solid battery life that will last through the day is a must. Performance is also important – ensure the device can handle the workload, whether Getting started These six handy tips will help prepare you for shopping for the new school year.

that’s basic tasks like word processing and browsing, or more demanding ones like video editing. Set a budget and stick to it Do some research beforehand to avoid overspending – a good quality, mid-range device can often be just as good as a high end model – and look for devices that are future-proofed to get as much use from them as you possibly can. Also factor in the cost of accessories like cases, screen protectors, and chargers. Even the most careful student can accidentally drop a device, so it’s important to properly protect expensive laptops or tablets. Get your kids involved Taking your children on the shopping trip helps them understand what’s required, how to stick to a budget, get organised, and purchase what is needed, not what’s

currently trending. Aim for just the essentials, not the gimmicks. You can never have too many storage devices Sufficient storage is crucial for saving files, apps, and media, and spreading files across multiple devices can also help to improve the performance of a laptop. Consider an SSD for backing up large files like videos, photos, and documents, and USB flash drives for easy transfer of smaller files between devices on the go. Stay safe and secure Strong and reputable security software can protect your child's device from viruses, malware, and hacking attempts. Also consider parental control apps that let you monitor your child’s online activity and block any inappropriate content.

JANUARY 2024

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