BYOD is the catch phrase for technology education in 2012. This acronym stands for “bring your own device”, and refers to students bringing their own technology like smartphones, tablets, and laptops to school for educational use. This has been traditionally done by college students, but has now spread into K-12 education. In the past, schools have provided the technology that students would need for the school day. This was done by using funding received through the government or by applying for special technology grants. Now schools are transferring that responsibility to the parents by asking them to purchase the technology devices needed for school, many of which students actually already own. This means that the school does not have to pay for or support the technology products, which was a very large yearly expenditure.
Advantages
For the school district, having parents responsible for purchasing and having students bring the technology devices requested does free up a lot of education dollars that can then be spent on other resources. Typically schools will still pay for the expenditure of the e-textbooks, apps, and other online learning programs.
For teachers, this opportunity to have technology devices in all of the classrooms, not just a lab, is amazing! Teachers can have students utilize e-textbooks, watch videos, use educational apps, research online, complete digital learning projects (photography, video/video editing, word processing, desktop publishing), all to reinforce ideas that are being taught in class. This type of learning is typically referred to as blended learning. Students are typically more engaged in learning with technology, learn 21st century skills, and can increase learning outcomes.
An advantage for students is that they will be able to use the same computing device in home and in school. This means that they would have access to all of the digital resources that they were accessing in school at home as well.
Disadvantages
One big disadvantage is that the school may not have the ability to filter out inappropriate data including videos, text, or images that are accessed on the devices that are brought into the school. Plans need to be in place to have filtering software (to conform to CIPA regulations) running on wireless networks, and create (and sign) an acceptable use policy that includes consequences for searching for or bringing inappropriate digital material into school along with using inappropriate apps or games during class.
For younger students, bringing the devices to school might prove to be difficult. What happens if the child forgets the device on the bus or to bring the device home, what happens if the device is taken by another student? There must be a system in place to help younger students to keep track of their devices.
Also, what happens if a student cannot afford to purchase the device requested by the school? In most instances, PTA organizations or local businesses step up to help families in need, however a plan needs to be in place to help provide the same resources for all of the students.
Overall, with insightful planning, written school policies, and a filtered network, students can bring their own technology devices into the school to utilize them for engaging learning activities. This system can help to make 1:1 computing a reality in schools.
Article By Laura Ketcham-VanHellemont
Picture By katerha
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