BYOD(Bring your own device)
BYOD is learning in the classroom
with the aid of tablets, smart phones, and mobile technology. It is learning
that is collaborative and accessible anywhere.
Students are already familiar and comfortable using their own technology
so they can focus on actually learning with them than learning how to use the
device. Students’ personal mobile devices tend to be more
cutting-edge, so schools can more easily stay up-to-date with technology.
Students are more likely to have remembered their beloved mobile devices than
textbooks or notes. It’s a cost-effective way to save schools money on
technology. With BYOD students are more likely to continue learning outside of
schools hours. When students use their own devices, they take care
of their own ‘training.’ BYOD provides opportunity for teaching
respectful/appropriate use, which will be important in properly preparing them
for the future. Students will be more organized with all their
notes and assignments all in one place. BYOD (bring your own device) is the increasing trend
toward employee-owned devices within a business. Smartphones are
the most common example but employees also take their own tablets, laptops and USB drives into
the workplace.
BYOD is part of the larger trend of IT consumerization,
in which consumer software and hardware are being brought into the enterprise. BYOT (bring
your own technology) refers to the use of consumer devices and applications in
the workplace. More specific variations on the term include bring your own
computer (BYOC).
Benefits
of BYOD in classroom
The
current generation of students has grown up with technology and want to use it
in every aspect of their daily lives — including school. They have an
expectation that the same technology they use at home will be available at
school too. Thanks to the mass consumerization of technology, students are now
some of the most enthusiastic and savvy users of state-of-the-art mobile
computing devices.
They
keep their beloved mobile devices on them at all times, and are not just using
them to communicate with friends or download music. In fact, they use
technology to study or work on homework assignments and they believe that
mastering the latest technology skills will improve their educational and
career opportunities.
A couple
of years ago I spoke to my principal and we both recognized an opportunity to
make the most of the technology already in students’ hands, allowing them to
use the technology with which they feel most comfortable — their own laptops,
smartphones and tablets — in class. Students are allowed to use their personal
devices to take notes, collaborate on class assignments, conduct Internet
research and use cloud- based apps.
1. Student participation increases.
Students like using their personal devices. In my classes they become engaged
in whatever it is that they’re doing with their personal devices —
including classwork, which becomes even more interactive when everyone has
access to technology. Kids these days live for technology. It only makes
sense to utilize their love for technology in the classroom if you really
want to get them engaged.
2. Learning becomes student-driven.
Teaching in the digital age is becoming less about directly transferring
knowledge and more about showing students how to sift through vast amounts of
information to find the knowledge they need. BYOD has changed my teaching
model. With the technology they are using for BYOD, students have more
authority over their own learning. They can pose questions and do research
instead of just listening to my lectures.
3. Student collaboration and communication increases.
Collaboration is key to engagement in today’s classrooms. My students use
technology to communicate with their peers and with me. A BYOD initiative can
provide students with far greater opportunities to interact virtually with
teachers and work with other students on assignments, projects and content
creation.
4. Cost Savings.
Although BYOD is really about delivering education in new ways, saving money is
an important objective. With the students using their own mobile devices in the
classroom, schools can save money on technology costs. My school does not need
to spend a fortune trying to keep up with all the coolest technology that can
be used for education these days, if students are allowed to use their own
mobile devices.
5. Personalized instruction.
I use media to meet different learning styles. Then, all students can learn and
excel at their own pace. By allowing my students to follow along with my
interactive, multimedia lessons on their mobile devices, I give them more
control over the pace at which they learn. Students spend countless hours
outside the classroom on their mobile devices. So, why not use that to my
advantage? I let them use their devices as engaging learning tools in the
classroom. Then, they can easily bring their homework, educational games,
projects with them. Everything they need to continue learning outside the
classroom can be accessed anytime, anywhere, with the swipe of a finger.
6. A new way of learning.
Incorporating student-owned mobile computing devices into the curriculum has
helped me transform my direct instruction methods into project-and
inquiry-based learning opportunities. This pedagogical approach helps students
learn by doing and gives them ownership of their education.
More Sample School BYOT
Policies
1. Brentwood Middle School BYOT Policy
2. Central Carrabus High School BYOT
Policy (Update: link has moved. Let us know in
the comments if you find a current link.)
3. Queen of Peace Catholic School BYOT
Policy (Update: link has moved. Let us know in
the comments if you find a current link.)
4. Oak Hills School District BYOT Policy
5. Mount Olive Township School District
BYOT Policy ((Update: link has moved. Let us know in
the comments if you find a current link.)
6. Allen High School BYOT Policy
7. Corcoran Unified School District BYOT Policy (Update: link has moved. Let us know in the comments if you
find a current link.)
8. Judson Independent School District BYOT Policy
9. Hanover Public Schools BYOT Policy
10. ARP High
School BYOT Policy
