Discussion: BYOD (Bring Your Own
Device)
If students are using mobile devices at home, should they be able
to use them in the classroom? What is the benefit if so?
References
No to BYOD http://stager.tv/blog/?tag=byod
Yes to
BYOD(IT Point of View) http://mashable.com/2012/05/15/prepare-byod-it/
Educational Advice http://techlamation.blogspot.com/
Sample Policy and Considerations:
http://www.fmschools.org/webpages/techcommittee/file_viewer.cfm?secFile=274
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ReplyDeletePro
ReplyDeletecost savings
current
prepare for college
Cons
tech department will have more requests for help
moral responsibility for what students are viewing
I'm in favor of having school provided devices (like ipads) so that we can have consistency. Teachers can be trained on using one specific (or a few specific) kind(s) of devices. We would be able to have expertise and be able to help students with the devices.
ReplyDeleteIf students brought their own from home, we could have a classroom with 20 different devices and the teacher couldn't be expected to be able to provide help or be an expert on all different devices
I'm in favor of opening up much more use of different kinds of technology in our classrooms including phones, kindles, ipads, and laptops but I think the easiest way to do it is when students all have the same type of device.
For example: in high school math - students all have TI-Nspire graphing calculators
Grades: No BYOD for k-4. BYOD is questionable for 5-6, and seems more plausible for 7-12.
ReplyDeleteISSUES:
Inequitable access
Teacher anxiety (and unrealistic expectations of teachers)
Overloading IT
Are students mature enough to be responsible for transporting their own (or district purchased) devices from home to school - what happens if they have a sporting event to attend, it rains and they walk?
I think that the idea of BYOD is a good one but it seems to have too many possible negatives. First, access is an issue. Would we now be expecting that they all get a smartphone? With how much memory? There is a money gap in our district and we need to be careful not to widen an already existing divide.
ReplyDeleteIf we do decide to allow this practice, we need to make sure that we, as a district provide ways to do something that someone with an app for a smartphone can now do. Not having their own device should not inhibit them from completing an assignment, or learning some content. I think the idea about not providing tech support for personal devices is a good one.
When it comes to apps, would students be on their own? Or would the district screen them for appropriateness? And if a teacher uses their own divice, would any apps be subject to screening/filtering? If they are on the district's network, the district's filter would be enabled, but if they are on a different network while at school, would that be an issue; especially if the district's filter would have blocked it?
Another poster made the point of the maturity of our students. Where do we draw the line that it is now OK to use these devices and when are they too young? This is a good point and should be addressed.
I am against BYOD because of the inequity it brings to the classroom. This environment should be comfortable, healthy, and equal for all students to learn and be successful. It should not be a constant reminder of the economic disparities between student A and student B (more than it already is - clothes, cars, etc.).
ReplyDeleteTeachers would have to be knowledgeable in all the different types of devices being brought in (which is unreasonable). The Tech. department may have to handle issues with these devices (greater workload for them). And of course the question of monitoring how the devices are used becomes an issue.
Should the student want to use their devices outside the classroom for a project - certainly. But in the classroom, where the teacher is in control, and responsible for ALL student learning, no BYOD.