Pupil’s own device as support for learning

1. Why is the pupil given a device?

Everyday digital skills, i.e. information and communication technology skills (ICT skills), are important civic skills today, which are practiced safely at school under adult guidance. According to the basic education curriculum, ICT skills are seen both as a subject of learning and as a tool for learning:

• Subject of learning (what is learned): The pupil practices the safe and responsible use of technology – such as typing and word processing skills, information retrieval, data security, and media literacy.
• Learning tool (how it is learned): The device serves as a modern tool in different subjects (such as mathematics, languages, or history). It is used to read electronic learning materials, complete assignments, prepare presentations, and look up information on various topics.

The device ensures that every child and young person has equal opportunities to learn the skills needed in the future, in further studies, and in working life:

• Free tool: Every pupil in grades 4–9 is provided with a personal device for schoolwork.
• Individual learning support: The device diversifies studying, supports the pupil’s ownership of their own learning, and enables individual learning paths across different subjects.

2. Use of the device in schoolwork

The Chromebook or iPad given to the pupil is a tool for schoolwork – not for gaming or leisure entertainment. What is the device used for?

• For completing schoolwork assigned by the teacher and preparing for exams and presentations.
• For school-approved electronic learning materials and platforms.
• For accessing learning environments through the Airo desktop, which are logged into using the pupil’s own Education Network (oppilas.hmledu.fi) credentials.
• Work is saved to the cloud services of the school account.
• For safe school-related communication in supervised environments (such as Wilma and Teams).

3. Device management and data security

Centralized data security and protection:

• Centralized device management: The city’s IT administration manages the devices remotely. They are always used with credentials provided by the school. Private or anonymous browsing is not possible.
• Data-protected applications: Only applications that have undergone a data protection assessment and have been approved by the education services are installed on the devices.
• Credentials and accounts: The use of personal accounts on the device is blocked.

4. Usage restrictions

Clear rules and technical restrictions guide the use of the device, ensuring focus on schoolwork and supporting the pupil’s healthy screen time and rest:

Automatic evening restrictions (screen time support)

• Primary school devices: Use is automatically blocked from 9:00 pm to 7:00 am.
• Lower secondary school devices: Use is automatically blocked from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.
• Website filtering: Harmful, violent, adult content, and gaming websites are blocked by centralized filters.
• Social media and YouTube: The use of social media and YouTube is restricted, and pupils cannot log in to these services.
• Downloading applications: Pupils cannot install their own games or applications. Applications are only downloaded from the device’s app store (HUB) with the teacher’s permission.
• School-specific guidelines: Individual schools may have additional specific guidelines regarding restrictions.

5. Guardian support and safe use of the device at home

The school supports the learning of digital skills, but the guardian plays an important role in building everyday balance and safe habits. Here are a few tips for use at home:

• Discuss the rules together: Go through the ground rules of digital everyday life with your child. Talk openly about both the joys of social media and gaming, as well as their possible challenges and risks.
• Set boundaries when needed: As a guardian, you always have the right to limit the use of the device at home. If necessary, the device can be taken away or you can agree that it is kept in a shared space in the evenings and at night – not in the child’s bedroom.
• Monitor usage together: Pupils cannot delete the device’s browsing history. If you wish, you can review the browsing history together with your child and talk about what is being done online.
• Report harmful websites: If you notice that harmful or inappropriate websites can be accessed on the device, report it to the school as soon as possible. Please include the exact web address (URL) in your report so that the web filters can be updated.
• Reach out with a low threshold: If challenges or unpleasant situations arise in the use of the device, or if you want to discuss limiting its use, feel free to contact the school. Together, we will find solutions that work.

6. What to do in unpleasant situations?

All problem and damage situations are approached in a solution-oriented manner, with an open and low-threshold discussion:

• Device breakage or loss: Report the matter immediately to the class teacher or form teacher. The school takes care of technical support and submitting a service request.
• Liability for damages: Normal wear and tear or accidental damage does not result in any consequences. If the device is lost or damaged as a result of clear negligence or intent, the person responsible may be held liable for damages in accordance with the Tort Liability Act.
• Theft cases: In the event of theft, the guardian provides the school with the information needed to file an official police report.
• Bullying and rule violations: The school’s communication channels (e.g. Teams and Wilma) are monitored, and bullying is not tolerated. If the device is used for purposes other than schoolwork or in violation of the rules, it may be temporarily taken out of use and kept at the classroom in accordance with the school’s instructions. In all cases of bullying or concern, please contact the teacher with a low threshold so that the matter can be resolved quickly.

Together we create a safe digital everyday life!

If you have any questions about devices, rules, or the pupil’s digital everyday life, always feel free to contact the class teacher or form teacher via Wilma.

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