FGL: Bring Your Own Device FAQ

A : Starting with the incoming students of 2020, instructors will conduct classes under the assumption that all students have their own laptop computers. You must bring a laptop to class when asked to do so by the instructor.

A : How computers are used will vary depending on the class, but preparations for activities below are on going.

Listening/speaking practice
・ Viewing online videos for listening practice.
・ Recording videos of students reciting assigned content as speaking practice.
Homework
・ Downloading and completing homework (practice questions). Submitting homework/reports online.
Presentations
・ Presenting learning outcomes in group-work classes.
Programming
・ Performing basic programming and computation on cloud servers.

Depending on the faculty, students may use their computers for CAD and data analysis in later school years.

A : To ensure your computer operates smoothly during class, we ask that you bring one that meets the recommended specifications. Please see "Bring Your Own Device Guidelines" for a list of specifications.

A : It is hard to say, as many computers on the market today have characteristics of both tablets and laptops. Please be sure your computer meets the recommended specifications.

A : NO. In case your laptop does not meet the recommended specifications, you can partially upgrade your laptop that you already own.

A : Please look up your model's specifications on the manufacturer's website etc.

A : Please obtain the computer by the time of the Entrance Ceremony.
You will receive an ID (Tohoku University ID) used to access various university systems after entering university. You will use your Tohoku University ID (specifically, your "sub ID") to set up your computer to connect to the campus Wi-Fi in preparation for classes. (Instructions for setting up your computer will be provided separately.)

A : It is hard to provide an exact price as a computer's price can fluctuate greatly depending on when and where you buy it. However, it does not matter where you purchase your computer as long as it meets the recommended specifications.

A : It is not mandatory. Please consider your needs and decide for yourself. Lately, it has become common to save document files (data) on a network server and print them out (for a fee) using print services at convenience stores etc.

A : In general, we ask that you please charge your computer at home. (The minimum recommended specification calls for a battery life sufficient for two 90-minute classes without recharging.) To ensure that students who forget to charge their computers can still participate in class, we are constructing a station capable of charging a number of computers at once, but of course it will not have room for all 2,400 first-year students should everyone fail to charge their computers. So, please remember to charge your computer before going to class.