In my first blog post, Teaching a Digital Generation in a Traditional Classroom, I agreed with comments made by Johanna Hayes, who was the national teacher of the year for 2016. When asked about technology in the classroom, Hayes said that schools are not able to keep up with the pace of new technology (Hayes, 2016), which I believe is absolutely true. The beauty of B.Y.O.D, however, is that schools wouldn't necessarily have to keep up the pace with all technology! In the B.Y.O.D method, students are able to bring in their own technological devices. This alleviates the need for districts to provide schools the funding necessary to provide students with devices. Also, according to https://www.k12blueprint.com/toolkits/byod, 2 out of 3 students prefer to use their own personal devices and 3 out of 4 students prefer tablets over textbooks. This means that by using their own devices, students will be more comfortable using technology in the classroom and be more engaged than they would using traditional textbooks and resources. Students bringing their own devices would also allow for the funding schools do receive for technology to be directed only towards those students who are unable to provide their own devices. This way no one would miss out on the opportunity to engage with technology in the classroom.
Of course, there are also concerns about using technology in the classroom. With all students bringing their own devices, there would be inconsistency in the capabilities of each device and many of these devices may not be compatible with classroom use. If B.Y.O.D continues to gain popularity, however, hopefully these issues are ones that can be alleviated. For example, in the early stages of B.Y.O.D, additional funding could be used to help students who either cannot afford a technological device or students who do not own devices that are appropriate for classroom use. During this early stage, schools could also relay information to parents about which devices are the most compatible for use in the classroom. Then, as students replace their personal devices every few years, parents could keep in mind the devices that serve students best in the classroom. As B.Y.O.D became more of a mainstream practice, more and more students would own a compatible device. This way, all funding could then be directed only towards students who cannot afford their own devices.
https://www.k12blueprint.com/toolkits/byod also provides readers with success stories and other resources related to B.Y.O.D. What are your own thoughts on B.Y.O.D? Could it be a big solution for the technological gap in classrooms or is it an idea that seems good in theory, but out of reach realistically? Let me know!
BYOD (2012). Retrieved from https://www.k12blueprint.com/toolkits/byod.
Madda, M. (2016, August 02). “We don’t have resources to keep up with technology”: 2016
teacher of the year Jahana Hayes talks to EdSurge. EdSurge. Retrieved
Kristin, BYOD is a fantastic way to incorporate technology in the classroom. For schools and districts which struggle financially, it is possible that technology can be integrated through students bringing their own devices. I like that you point out that some students like using their own devices. About 30% of my students still want to use their device or tablet when we use the school's computers. They love the comfort in familiarity, and why should we stop that? Unfortunately, it does have its drawbacks. It's hard to be sure that all students will have a device or even a device that works. I think you are right that if students are going to use BYOD, parents and the community should be aware of devices that work well in the school and won't pose many problems. Even still, BYOD isn't a solution to the problem of technology in our schools, but certainly could be a good temporary fix until schools become 1:1.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting that your students use their own devices! My second graders don't have devices to bring to school, so that is a whole different world for me.
DeleteHi Kristin,
ReplyDeleteI think every student would love the idea of BYOD program. They can actually use their cell phones in class! This is so exciting for students, especially in the primary grades. Those who still do not have a cell phone can use the in class computers, laptops, or IPads. Everyone will be using some kind of technology! The only thing is that the teacher would have to tailor the lesson plans so different technologies could be used to accomplish the same task or activity.
Teachers would need to closely monitor students, especially if they are using their own personal device. Students can easily become distracted. Also, parents would need to understand the benefits of a BYOD program and be willing to purchase a device for their child, in addition to, all of the other classroom supplies.
All in all, I think BYOD programs would definitely help in closing the technological gaps in classrooms. It would take learning to an entire different level. Students would be engaged and remain engaged. They would retain what they learned because everything they are doing is hands-on. Learning will no longer be rote memorization. Learning will actually become enjoyable for students.
Great post!
Joanndeliz
It would be a challenging method for sure! I think it is a cool idea, but maybe only in theory??
DeleteKristin,
ReplyDeleteBYOD is something that I am very weary to. I interned in Lee County the semester that BYOD was being implemented. Most parents were expressing that they were being burned with needing to by their child an appropriate device. They also expressed many concerns to possible theft since not all children are being picked up from school. At this point I had no ideas about digital curriculum and was concerned about this for the parents. I can see where they are coming from because devices are not cheap and if students have to take them back and forth then there is an added risk involved.
BYOD could serve as a way to close the technological gap between students. I think that maybe schools should have some devices that parents rent out, make a month to month payment so that they do not have to pay for it up front. This could also help parents who are worried about not having the proper technology.
Honestly, all of this seems out of reach but it is the world that we currently live in and things like this happen.
Great thought provoking post!
Ashley T.
Thanks for your honest reply! I can definitely see the drawbacks to this method, for sure. I think it is a cool idea to try to bridge the gap, like you said. I would be willing to try it!
Delete