Students using technology to assist with problem solving exercises (Ormiston, n.d.).
There are a variety of advantages to allowing students to
bring their own device to class. Technology has become a staple of our modern
day society and it allows for a variety of educational experiences to take
place within the classroom. By allowing students to bring their own devices to
class schools with limited funding are better able to incorporate technology
into everyday lessons. Additionally, students are able to be more flexible with
their work as many activities are accessible through the internet (Peasgood,
2015). There are a variety of educational apps which allow students to acquire
knowledge through games as well as connect and collaborate with global
classrooms (Drake, Reid & Kolohon, 2014). Students are also able to learn important
transferrable 21st century skills like: being able to operate
various types of technology, being able to make responsible and ethical choices
about how they use technology, thinking critically about media, being able to
engage in international collaboration and being a digital citizen (Peasgood,
2015). There a variety of examples of projects and activities within the classroom
which become much more obtainable as a result of BYOD programs. For example international
collaboration programs like iEARN and Global School Net.org would be difficult
to implement without students having adequate access to technological devices.
School boards often provided detailed information about their BYOD initiatives and
attempt to be transparent when describing to parents, guardians and stakeholders
why it is beneficial for students. An example of school transparency is the
Halton District School Board’s Bring I.T. program that is outlined on the
school board’s website. The Peel District School Board also provides a video
describing and justifying their BYOD policy.
Although there are a lot of positive features of BYOD
programs there are also limitations. Many educators are concerned that enabling
students to bring their own devices will increase distraction. Despite software
to block certain websites, students often still find ways to use prohibited
websites (Concordia Online Education, 2012). Additionally enabling students to
bring their own technology will increase the socioeconomic divide within
schools. Low income students may experience increased bullying as a result of
not having the latest technology. Although some schools allow students to
borrow technology it is still easy to distinguish who has received school
assistance (Concordia Online Education, 2012).
Students can also be distracted by technology (Ask.com, n.d.).
As a future educator one must be able to evaluate the
positive and the negative features of new educational practices. As mentioned
in my previous blog, what works for me or when I was a student is not going to
be what is best for my future students. It is very easy to fall back upon your
own assumption, but one must push past this initial conclusion to engage
critical thinking skills. With this massive technological transformation no
teacher can attempt to ignore the importance of students’ learning how to use
and manage technology. The old and the new story must be bridged in a manner
that reflects best learning practice for students. Teachers must take into the
account the advantages and limitations of BYOD programs and find a solution
that works for all of their students. This will strongly vary depending on the
students within your class and the community’s socioeconomic status. One’s decision
on devices within the classroom cannot be made without considering their own
personal biases, the context of their classroom and background of their
students as well as relevant literature. Through reflection, teachers can begin
to understand their educational philosophies on personal devices in the classroom
within the context of their school communities, in order to provide a positive
information technology programs for all learners. This exercise is just the start of my own reflection on this topic as I embark on my teaching journey through pre service education classes!
Ask.com. (n.d.). What are the cons and pros of having
a cell phone in school?. Retieved October
7,
2015 from http://www.ask.com/technology/cons-pros-having-cell-phone-school-b085404b77c16af7
Concordia Online Education. (2012). What is BYOD
(Bring Your Own Device) and Why
Should
Teachers Care?. Retrieved October 7, 2015 from http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/tech-ed/what-is-byod-bring-your-own-device-and-why-should-teachers-care/
Drake,
S. M., Reid, J. L. and Kolohon, W. (2014). Interweaving
Curriculum and Classroom
Assessment. Don Mills: Oxford
University Press.
Global School Net.org. (n.d.). GlobalSchoolNet.org:
Linking Kids around the World!. Retrieved
October 7, 2015 from http://www.globalschoolnet.org/
Halton District School Board. (n.d.). Bring I.T.
Retrieved October 7, 2015 from
http://www.hdsb.ca/aboutus/IT/Pages/BringIT.aspx
iEARN. (n.d.). iEARN: Learning with the World, not
Just About it. Retrieved October 7, 2015
from
http://www.iearn.org/
Peasgood, S. (2015). Bring Your Own Device: The Next
Big Trend in Education. Retrieved
October
7, 2015 from http://www.cantechletter.com/2015/01/bring-device-next-big-trend-education/
Ormiston, M. (n.d.). How to Use Cell Phones as Learning
Tools. Retrieved October 7, 2015 from
http://www.teachhub.com/how-use-cell-phones-learning-tools
Peel District School Board. (n.d.). BYOD-Bring Your
Own Device. Retrieved October 7, 2015
from http://www.peelschools.org/aboutus/21stcentury/byod/Pages/default.aspx