General Precautions
- Students are responsible for their iPad before 9am and are not to have it out of their bag until
they are in the classroom.
- It is recommended that food or drink should not be next to your iPad when in use. Cords, cables and removable storage must be inserted into, and removed from the iPad
carefully.
- Students should never carry their iPad while the screen is open, unless directed to do so by a
teacher.
- Students are responsible for ensuring the battery is charged for school each day.
Transporting the iPad
A protective bag or case has sufficient padding to protect the equipment from normal treatment and
provide a suitable means for carrying the iPad within the school. The guidelines below should be
followed:
- The iPad should always be within a protective case when carried between classrooms and
before/after school.
- Some carrying cases can hold other objects, such as clipboard and exercise books but these
must be kept to a minimum to avoid placing too much pressure and weight on the iPad screen.
Screen Care
The screen can be damaged if subjected to rough treatment. They are
particularly susceptible to damage from excessive pressure and can be costly
to repair. We recommend iPads have a tempered glass screen protector.
- Do not lean on the top of the iPad.
- Do not place anything near the iPad that could put pressure on the
screen.
- Do no place anything in the carry case that will press against the
cover.
- Do not poke the screen.
- Clean the screen with a soft, dry or anti-static cloth.
Damage at School
All devices are monitored by teachers at school and rules are in place to prevent foreseeable
problems and damage however, from time to time, accidents may occur. If any damage is through
the negligence of the school, the school will cover the cost of the repair. If damage is caused by
deliberate or careless actions of a student (owner or others), the costs of repair will be passed onto those involved and necessary behaviour consequences may apply. The decision around
the responsibility for repair costs is at the discretion of the Principal.
Battery Maintenance
The battery life of portable devices is improving as technological enhancements are made. To get the
most out of the battery life of the iPads, follow these simple tips:
- Reduce the screen brightness to a comfortable level.
- Disable connectivity such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use.
- Lock the iPad screen when not in use. Close all running apps when not in use at least once a
week, drain the battery to 0% and fully recharge to 100%. This is will aid the life of the battery.
Damages in Transit
All iPads will require a protective bag or sleeve when being transported. This will be an additional cost
but is well worth the outlay as it is the best form of insurance for iPads and will often protect the
device from impacts and accidents. The bag or sleeve should be waterproof to safeguard against any
drink spillages in your child’s bag.
Security and Insurance
While the BYO iPads will be securely stored during break times and before school, parents are
encouraged to seek personal insurance. Check with your preferred insurance company (or even the
iPad reseller) about your personal insurance at home and transporting the device to and from school.
Charging
iPads brought to school will need to be fully charged. The power supply will be not required to be
brought to school. Leaving power supplies at home reduces the weight of the equipment student’s
transport to and from school and reduces likelihood of damage and/or loss.
Occupational Health and Safety
Students are advised to consider the following advice when using their
iPad.
- Taking regular rest breaks.
- Not using the iPad for more than 2 hours in any session.
- Working in an environment free from glare.
- Using the iPad on a desk rather than on the lap whenever possible.
- Changing the viewing angle to minimise the need to bend the neck.
- Using a chair that maintains good posture.
Potential Hazards
The main feature of mobile devices that causes problems is the minimal amount of ergonomic
adjustment – this promotes poor posture.
If the screen is at the optimal height for the operator then the keyboard is too high and if the
keyboard is at the optimal height then the screen is too low. Both scenarios may contribute to muscle
discomfort or strain to varying degrees.
Potential injuries that can occur through using iPad include:
- Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) (also known as repetitive strain injury (RSI)
as a result of sustained unnatural postures and/or prolonged tension on muscles,
tendons and other soft tissues.
- Eye strain through use in environments where there is poor lighting, glare or reflection and as a
result of straining to view details on small screens.
- Manual handling strain through carrying the iPad for extended periods and/or lifting them out
of awkward spaces. Strain may be the aggravation of an existing injury.
- Tripping hazards can also exist where the mobile device has external cables attached such as
mains power cords or external drive connectors.
Minimising the Risk of Strain or Injury
- Whenever possible, place the iPad on a desk at a height where the elbows are at 90 degrees
and the wrists are kept straight.
- Wherever possible sit in a comfortable chair at a desk.
- Take frequent rest breaks at least every 20 minutes but more often if the setup is not optimal to
allow eyes and muscles to recuperate.
- Avoid using the iPad for extended periods (maximum of 2 hours in any session).
- Setting the screen at an angle that reduces, as far as possible, the need to bend your neck and
minimises reflection.
Preventing Eye Strain
Eyestrain and headaches can be caused by the constant viewing of small objects on small screens,
incorrect monitor position, or glare or reflection from lighting sources. The risk of eyestrain can be
reduced by ensuring students:
- Work in environments free from glare or reflection.
- Have adequate lighting.
- Increase font size for comfortable viewing.
- Position the iPad screen for comfortable viewing distance.
- Take frequent rest breaks. (An old but valid idea is the 20/20 rules that states “every 20 minutes
look at something about 6 metres away for 20 seconds”).
- Regularly blink to lubricate your eyes.
- Adjusting the screen brightness, colours and/or contrasts can also assist in reducing eyestrain.