BYOD

Showing 22 posts tagged BYOD

The infographic highlights findings from the mobile learning report, Living & Learning with Mobile Devices, released today from Grunwald & Associates and the Learning First Alliance. According to the report more than 50 percent of parents believe that schools should make more use of mobile devices in education. Embiggen here I’m really surprised by the data collected in this survey (2,392 parents) which isn’t unfortunately broken down into age categories. Two items of note: 83% said their school does not require use of personal electronic devices and 72% said it was not allowed at all. Parents are concerned about theft of personal devices (81%), but 45% still plan to buy or have a personal mobile device purchased for their student. 32% of parents surveyed think schools should require this. High-res

The infographic highlights findings from the mobile learning report, Living & Learning with Mobile Devices, released today from Grunwald & Associates and the Learning First Alliance. According to the report more than 50 percent of parents believe that schools should make more use of mobile devices in education.

Embiggen here

I’m really surprised by the data collected in this survey (2,392 parents) which isn’t unfortunately broken down into age categories. Two items of note:

  • 83% said their school does not require use of personal electronic devices and 72% said it was not allowed at all.
  • Parents are concerned about theft of personal devices (81%), but 45% still plan to buy or have a personal mobile device purchased for their student. 32% of parents surveyed think schools should require this.

It’s #FF on Twitter - if you’re not following on twitter today is a great day to start; she’s an amazing resource!

I have been traveling throughout Slovenia and Croatia for the past month training teachers in integrating Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) effectively with their classes. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to teach various classes of teens throughout the two countries to show teachers how BYOT works. For the days I was teaching the students, these schools lifted their policies and allowed the students to use their devices as a way of getting technology in the schools. The teachers wanted to see BYOT in action, especially with students who were never allowed to use their mobile devices or other technologies before for learning. BYOT was a great option because many of these students would not usually be able to learn with various technologies in schools if they didn’t bring them in.

BYOT: The hidden messages

Many of those who say BYOT doesn’t work argue that schools have to provide all students with equal technology. We can’t wait around for that. Students need to be able to use technology to problem solve and think critically.

Many also argue that it will harm students who cannot afford expensive technology. Kids aren’t blind. They already realize through clothing, tennis shoes, etc. they come from various economic backgrounds. We need to educate and have open discussions about these real world issues and not decide to block access.

I have worked in various economic situations worldwide with mobile devices and the students learn they can be creative, learning can be engaging, and their devices even if just a cellphone, digital camera or cheap tablet gives them limitless possibilities to learn daily.

@ShellTerrell is an amazing person to follow on Twitter if you aren’t already.

“It isn’t the device that creates an improvement in achievement. It’s the changes in instructional strategies that make improvements.”

Couldn’t have said it better than Jill Hobson, the director of instructional technology for the 39,000-student Forsyth County schools. (they adopted BYOT/BYOD) From Edweek: Districts Place High Priority on 1-to-1 Computing
Schools Set Boundaries for Use of Students’ Digital Devices “We’re caught in this perfect storm between our human comfort level with the rate of change we’d prefer, and the high-speed rate of change that is being foisted on us by evolutions in technology,” says Lewis. “And this is only going to get increasingly difficult for us as these evolutions happen more and more swiftly.” The article is largely about BYOD initiatives, and how a few schools have had issues keeping up their AUPs (Acceptable Use Policy) and problems with discipline. Overall, their 4 tips to BYOD policy are good: Clear rules Systematic rollout Coverage AND capacity Teach digital citizenship photo via flickr:CC | UBC Library

Schools Set Boundaries for Use of Students’ Digital Devices

“We’re caught in this perfect storm between our human comfort level with the rate of change we’d prefer, and the high-speed rate of change that is being foisted on us by evolutions in technology,” says Lewis. “And this is only going to get increasingly difficult for us as these evolutions happen more and more swiftly.”

The article is largely about BYOD initiatives, and how a few schools have had issues keeping up their AUPs (Acceptable Use Policy) and problems with discipline. Overall, their 4 tips to BYOD policy are good:

  1. Clear rules
  2. Systematic rollout
  3. Coverage AND capacity
  4. Teach digital citizenship

photo via flickr:CC | UBC Library

“Earlier this week I was having dinner with some fellow educational technologists. The conversation took the inevitable turn to discussing 1:1 philosophy. 1:1 is most typically defined as the ratio of one student to one device where that device is provided by the school. During our discussion, the question was posed as “1:1, Chromebooks or iPads?” While I am a fan of both Chromebooks and iPads, I was troubled by this conversation. Not, of course, because I am opposed to the student use of technology, but because I am starting to realize that 1:1 is a parallel philosophy to “one size fits all.”

I’ve been saying this since 2008-09 - as you may know I’m a proponent of BYOD; because I believe in personal learning environments, I don’t think the school can dictate what the best learning device is across the board, and I continue to encourage confidence and competence with technology (not any specific device). Are their challenges with equity? YES. Can we overcome them? YES! Can we model the post-secondary and workplace environment? Absolutely.

BYOT and one-to-one initiatives are literacy initiatives

We cannot get where we need to go, if we as educators do not model these skills and we cannot model these skills if we do not provide learning environments where staff and students have access to digital resources that allow them to experiment and discover the power of being a connected learner. We are at a point where we have to consider whether or not those who are learning in “disconnected” environments can be called literate by today’s standards.

So as you are thinking about whether or not a BYOT or one-to-one initiative is right for your school, you need to ask yourself the following question: Is it important that students in our school are literate?

BYOT: An idea whose time has come

Key components of a successful BYOT initiative include the following:

  • Begin to change the way students view their devices by changing the language when they are referenced. Students need to fully understand that they are tools for learning. Make consistent efforts to refer to them as mobile learning devices.
  • When in the classroom, the teacher must ensure that there is a specific learning outcome connected to the device.
  • Ensuring equity is important, and we must be cognizant of those students who might not own a device. Determining those that do not in a confidential manner is very important. If using mobile phones, teachers can easily pair students up.
  • A BYOT initiative can actually supplement what a school already has in terms of technology and increase access. For example, a school with a laptop cart but only 20 devices for 25 students in the class could utilize student-owned technology to close this gap.
  • Develop appropriate support structures that align with current acceptable-use policies.
  • Provide professional development and resources to teachers so that they can successfully implement mobile learning devices.
  • Treat students like 21st century adolescents. Many of them own and use these devices outside of school. If we can focus use on learning, then why would we not allow them to bring these tools and use in school?
  • Deal with unacceptable use based on the school discipline code. This should not be considered different than any other infraction. Off-task behavior in the classroom is most likely the result of a poorly planned lesson or ineffective classroom-management techniques.
  • Promote use of student-owned devices for learning during non-instructional time. At NMHS, one can routinely see students using devices during lunch to conduct research for projects, complete homework assignments and organize their responsibilities. Additionally, we have seen a dramatic reduction in behavior issues.

It’s only 10am on Monday morning and you’re ready to ditch the IT field for a less frustrating career—like a lumberjack or a piranha dentist. Seriously. Aren’t you the one who’s supposed to be making the IT decisions around here? Isn’t it your job to provide employees with the technology they need to do their jobs while factoring in things like budgets and security? At least that’s how it used to be. Things are changing, and consumerization (BYOD) is blurring the lines between work and life by giving folks more influence and choice over how and where they work.

This is a great explanation of BYOD to the non-academic side of the house (or those IT folks that are vehemently against it).

Bring Your Own Device - Questions to Consider

Great questions, and there are more when you jump to the article:

  • Have you visited a BYOD school or district?
  • Are you already using Google or Zoho or some cloud solution?
  • How will you define BYOD?
  • How’s your network - is it ready for
  • How will you address logistics?
  • How’s your curriculum?
  • How’s your digital citizenship education?
  • How’s your communication channel with parents, students?
  • How’s your budget?