BYOD or Bring Your Own Device is an emerging trend where students bring their own devices whether it be a smartphone or tablet to use in the classroom. This can be both positive and negative because cell phones can be a distraction in the classroom and also an asset. If the device is used to collaborate on assignments or as a learning tool, it is a great asset, but kids will be kids, and some are always looking for a way to be off task. While BYOD can be positive because most students have a device no matter their socioeconomic status, there are some that do not, and that can lead to a student feeling bad or upset.
At my school, Harrand Creek Elementary, eight teachers are 1:1 with Chromebooks, and we also have about 70 iPads, and 60 Chromebooks that other teachers may check out to make their room 1:1 for the day. I like that my classroom is 1:1 and I do not have to worry about one of my students forgetting their device or not having one. When devices are provided by the school I do not have to worry about everyone connecting to the school's wi-fi, it does it automatically, and it has a filter to help ensure students are not on inappropriate websites.
Smartphones are definitely here to stay, and our students are getting them younger and younger. Before my classroom went 1:1, I was a BYOD classroom. Looking back, I think I would try and steer away from bringing their phones and maybe only allow them to bring a tablet. I would have saved time because I would not have had to check to make sure everyone was connected to the wi-fi. When students use their smartphones, they use their own data service, and it is not monitored by the school system. Looking back I would also have partner accountability, as I do now, where if you see someone off task or looking at something they should not be if you do not turn them in you are guilty also.
BYOD would be great to implement at a lower performing school because most students have a device of some sort and this gives the teacher the opportunity to incorporate technology into their lessons. This will not only help with collaboration but also student engagement. Students wold be able to collaborate in new ways opening up a whole new way of learning! Teachers could also ask the community to donate old devices to their classroom, so then if a student did not have their own device, they would not have to feel bad about it. A sixth-grade reading and/or social studies teacher could use these tools to integrate informational text from readworks.org or newsela.com. This would keep students up to date on current events and even help with comprehension on readworks.org digital. This could also help with typing skills.
Professional development needs to shift towards technology and how to integrate it effectively into the classroom. If teachers are not trained on how to use it effectively or shown how to use it in the classroom, most will not take the time to explore on their own due to time or lack of interest. Then we will have all of these wonderful tools that are not being utilized to their full potential or at all.
If we do not teach our students how to use their devices for more than playing games or watching a movie, we are doing them a disservice. We live in a world where most people have a phone in their hand, pocket, or purse all day long. We are linked to one another and the world through this amazing invention. We need to teach our students to use their devices for research, to collaborate with one another, and to just gain knowledge or search for answers. I pick up my phone numerous times a day to Google something that I am not sure of each day. My students looked at me funny at first, but I told them that I am human and I do not always know the answer, so I use my resources and they should too!
At my school, Harrand Creek Elementary, eight teachers are 1:1 with Chromebooks, and we also have about 70 iPads, and 60 Chromebooks that other teachers may check out to make their room 1:1 for the day. I like that my classroom is 1:1 and I do not have to worry about one of my students forgetting their device or not having one. When devices are provided by the school I do not have to worry about everyone connecting to the school's wi-fi, it does it automatically, and it has a filter to help ensure students are not on inappropriate websites.
Smartphones are definitely here to stay, and our students are getting them younger and younger. Before my classroom went 1:1, I was a BYOD classroom. Looking back, I think I would try and steer away from bringing their phones and maybe only allow them to bring a tablet. I would have saved time because I would not have had to check to make sure everyone was connected to the wi-fi. When students use their smartphones, they use their own data service, and it is not monitored by the school system. Looking back I would also have partner accountability, as I do now, where if you see someone off task or looking at something they should not be if you do not turn them in you are guilty also.
BYOD would be great to implement at a lower performing school because most students have a device of some sort and this gives the teacher the opportunity to incorporate technology into their lessons. This will not only help with collaboration but also student engagement. Students wold be able to collaborate in new ways opening up a whole new way of learning! Teachers could also ask the community to donate old devices to their classroom, so then if a student did not have their own device, they would not have to feel bad about it. A sixth-grade reading and/or social studies teacher could use these tools to integrate informational text from readworks.org or newsela.com. This would keep students up to date on current events and even help with comprehension on readworks.org digital. This could also help with typing skills.
Professional development needs to shift towards technology and how to integrate it effectively into the classroom. If teachers are not trained on how to use it effectively or shown how to use it in the classroom, most will not take the time to explore on their own due to time or lack of interest. Then we will have all of these wonderful tools that are not being utilized to their full potential or at all.
If we do not teach our students how to use their devices for more than playing games or watching a movie, we are doing them a disservice. We live in a world where most people have a phone in their hand, pocket, or purse all day long. We are linked to one another and the world through this amazing invention. We need to teach our students to use their devices for research, to collaborate with one another, and to just gain knowledge or search for answers. I pick up my phone numerous times a day to Google something that I am not sure of each day. My students looked at me funny at first, but I told them that I am human and I do not always know the answer, so I use my resources and they should too!
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