Parents

Illustration of parents and two children

Digital Growth is a project linked to the Green Deal and the Reykjavík Education Policy. It was launched to accelerate the IT introduction in the City's primary schools. Initially, upper primary school students received learning devices, this was then extended to mid-level students.

The Reykjavík Education Policy is future oriented and focused on using digital technologies to enrich education and provide children with a wide range of opportunities for creativity and expression.

 

1:1 devices for students

1:1 means that each student is provided with their own learning device for use.

The learning device increases the possibilities of learning and prepares students for the topics of the future. It also ensures multiple forms of support for learning, actively promotes knowledge exploration, supports more diverse project work and creative submissions.

The devices come with responsibilities about the treatment of equipment, the use of software and communication methods. The Department of Education and Youth (SFS) has prepared terms of use for the equipment and its approval is a prerequisite for students to take the equipment home. The terms have been translated into English and Polish. You can find the terms for approval on My Pages. Have your electronic ID available.

Approved teaching solutions

Reykjavík City is responsible for the personal information generated in the educational tools used in schools, in accordance with Act No 90/2018 on Data Protection and the Processing of Personal Data.

- Learn more about the Data Protection Act

Responsibilities and liability rest upon both the data controller and the processor (the producer of the educational tool) according to the Data Protection Act.

This includes informing and educating parents/guardians on how personal data of students are handled in the educational solutions used in schools.

- Learn more about approved educational tools

Google Workspace for Education

All students will have access to Google Workspace for Education. Note that the student account is not comparable to a Google personal account.

The system is closed and specifically designed for schools and the domain is @gskolar.is. A risk assessment has been carried out and all data is stored in Europe. Google does not read about student trips, and they are not shown advertising.

In Google Workspace for Education, teachers create classrooms and upload course-related documents, and students submit assignments.

Learn more about the user guide (IS) Learn more about Google Workspace for Education (IS)

Cybersecurity and privacy

The adoption of digital technologies in school and recreational settings requires a risk assessment. The following questions need to be answered: What data is processed? Where is the data stored? Can it be deleted? Are any advertisements related to the usage?

Managers at each location are responsible for informing parents about what technology is used in the school setting and how it is used.

 

Digital citizenship

Being a digital citizen means having the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to show responsible and respectful behavior when using technology.

 

Alongside the implementation of 1:1 learning devices in the City's schools, it is important to promote responsible internet use and digital citizenship awareness in all work with digital technology.

Learn more about digital citizenship
Children and adults sail on boats at the Reykjavik Family Park & Zoo

Good to know

What is a Chromebook?

Chromebooks are laptops with the Chromium OS operating system that you can log in to using a Google user account. You can only log in with an @gskolar.is user account in Reykjavík City Chromebooks.

A Chromebook is a computer you work on exclusively in the Google Workspace, which means students can work on the computer either at school or at home. Most students in upper primary schools are given a Lenovo Chromebook e300.

What is an iPad?

Apple's iPad, a tablet computer with the iOS operating system, is managed using the Lightspeed management system for tablets.

Students are given the 9th generation of these tablets, which come in sturdy cases suitable for primary school students. The package also includes a charger and a cord.

These tablets feature a good camera with photo editing options.

There are numerous apps that are particularly useful for learning, including Google apps.

Data and access

It's important to note that students' Google Workspace access for school work is not comparable to personal Google use. Students are given a username that grants them access to Google Workspace for Education. This email address ends with @gskolar.is, enabling them to log in on any device, including a home computer.

  • The student's access and corresponding data are protected from other users' visibility. Therefore, students must decide to share documents if they want other users to see them.
  • Google Workspace does not own students' data. Students always hold the rights to the documents and data stored in the schools Google Workspace environment. Where students leave the school, their access, and the connected data, is automatically deleted, considering some of the data may need to be archived for the City Archives according to the Public Archives Act No. 77/2014.
  • Google Workspace contains no advertisements. Therefore, students' data is used strictly for academic purposes and is neither used for marketing nor resold to third parties.

How can I support my child?

  • By showing interest in their digital school environment.
  • By reviewing their digital classrooms and the content within—including educational materials and assignments. Your child's work might not be as visible when it's online.
  • Remind your child to charge their Chromebook every day. It might be helpful to have a charging station at home where devices can be charged.
  • Assist your child in establishing the routine of always packing their computer in their school bag.
  • Encourage good internet habits.
  • Learn more about good online practices
  • Parents/guardians can ask teachers to add them to a mailing list to receive weekly assignment updates from Google Classroom.

What if the computer is lost or damaged?

Immediately contact the school. No one intends to lose or damage equipment, but the accidents can happen. Parents/guardians are not required to pay for damages unless it's due to intentional neglect.