BYOD Is Hard For Parents Too!

When talking about BYOD we typically talk about how challenging it is for teachers to implement and solve the problems that they will encounter.  We have also talked about the issues that students will face, like having more responsibility for their things.  However, what we haven’t talked about is the challenges that parents will face as we ask them to embrace BYOD.

We are not only asking parents to pay for new devices that their students will want because “everyone is using them at school” but we will be asking them to become a deeper part of our community.  That poses the question, “What tips should we suggest to parents to help them with some of the challenges that they will face with BYOD?”

There are several answers to this question that Griffin Technology has suggested in 7 Tips for Parents About BYOD - Bring Your Own Device.  

Some of the main points that I thought were really important are:

1. BUY PROTECTION FOR YOUR DEVICE!  This includes a case and a screen protector.  Spend a little extra money to make sure you protect your investment. You can watch the video below to see some of the interesting ways a student can destroy their phone by accident or on purpose!

http://youtu.be/nmamCkqoQDc - How To Destroy An iPhone

2. BACK UP YOUR DEVICE! The great thing about the times that we live in is that there are many cloud based tools that you can use for free. This will help make sure that you don't loose your data. Examples of cloud based storage include but are not limited to Google Docs, Dropbox and iCloud.

3.  TEACH THEM HOW TO USE A CALENDAR ON THEIR DEVICE!  One of the things that is quickly becoming obsolete, is the agenda.  We know students don't use them.  However, we need to teach them how to use some sort of organizational tool, as they will have to later in life.  Teaching them how to use a calendar on their device can benefit them by keeping them organized.  It can also help you by having them share their calendar with you so that you know what they are doing and what they have due in class.  

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BEST CALENDAR APPS FOR iDEVICES

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BEST CALENDAR APPS FOR ANDROID

These are just three of many ways that parents can help their students with BYOD.  Do you have any suggestions?

The BYOD Struggle

The struggle begins with the fact that most teachers grew up in an age that classrooms were structured around paper and pencil.  Today’s teachers are struggling to break that mold.  It seems like more and more teachers FEAR change, they have been conditioned to do the same thing year after year.  I say, the heck with that!  Those teachers need to open their eyes and see that the world around them is changing day after day due to the effects of technology.  

We are always asking the teachers of their opinions of BYOD but have we ever asked the students?  Remember it is all about the STUDENTS, that is why we teach in the first place.  According to Zak Hawkins, the use of his cellphone in class has actually made him less tempted to use his device at inappropriate times.  I can’t wait to have my students write up a reflection on how they truly feel about BYOD in the classroom, sounds like a great end of the year activity.

Along with the reluctant teacher you get some frightened parents in regards to BYOD.  To those parents I would say, educate yourself.  BYOD has huge benefits to your child.  BYOD encourages students to learn the 21st century skills that are necessary to be successful in today’s age.  

None of us really know what the world will be like in 10 years, one thing I do know for sure is that technology willl be part of it.  Although there are many uncertainties, as educators it is our job to prepare our students for whatever the future hold.  So to that I say, embrace change, take a risk and BYOD!

BYOD - Everybody's Doing It!

It comes as no surprise to hear that money-strapped school districts and educational institutions are making the shift to BYOD, for students and staff alike.  Schools save money by asking students to bring that new tablet they just got for Christmas or that Smartphone they had to get since everyone else in the 5th grade has one. The logic is simple: the more students that bring devices means the less schools spend on devices for students; the less schools spend on devices for students the more money the district has and/or saves, hopefully for other technology initiatives.

What may come as a slight shock is the amount of businesses that are jumping on the BYOD-bandwagon as a real solution. Personal technology in the workplace is becoming as common as cell phones for elementary students. While money is a driving force behind this, user satisfaction also plays huge role in the BYOD shift. Why keep from organizations something that is going to make them a more productive and satisfied employee?

So BYOD - everybody is doing it. Yes schools are doing it and yes your neighbor’s company might be dabbling in it, but what if I told you the President of the United States was fully involved with BYOD in the Oval Office? Would you be surprised by that?

I partially would, seeing as I don’t know if that’s completely true. However, the Federal Government hasn't been left behind by the BYOD train - they too are looking into, allowing, and embracing BYOD by recently releasing a BYOD Toolkit for Federal Agencies. While they may have more sensitive information to worry about keeping safe than a 6th grader at your local middle school, the government is faced with the same challenges and benefits as businesses and schools alike. So next time you are sitting next to a guy who looks like he’s with the Secret Service, don’t be surprised if he is playing a little Angry Birds while waiting for his next assignment.

So you say, “what about XYZ company that hasn't gone BYOD and has no plans to?” I would guess that the company is more BYOD than you think. Find me a person that has a Smartphone and/or laptop, company owned or personally owned, that does not have both work and personal emails on that device.

If you can tell me that you have a personal computer at home that you've never checked your work email from, ever, I’d like to personally give you a high five.  BYOD is leaking it’s way into every nook and cranny of every organization, company, and government agency. Sooner or later, we will not distinguish between personal devices and work devices - it will be a blur.

You can fight the BYOD movement for now, resist all you like, sooner or later you’ll be on board whether you know it (like it) or not. BYOD - Everybody’s doing it!!

[Linenkugel] Our Lives Have Been Forever Changed

Being a visual learner I appreciate images that me help to explain a concept ...
so come follow me down memory lane to revisit what we once knew as a communication device.

10 Ways Mobile Gadgets Have Changed Our Lives  -                                 http://goo.gl/00zdA

1.    Meeting up is easier
2.    There's no excuse to be bored
3.    Fast-twitch brains
4.    You're always around
5.    Horror movies had to add a line
6.    Smile!  You're on camera!
7.    Update anxiety
8.    All-In-One
9.    Conversation killer
10.  Conversation killer (Redux)

I have my own 10 of personal use to add (not in any specific order & not limited to these only)
1.    Alarm Clock & Calculator & Weather
2.    Calendar (Work & Personal Appts. & Schedules)
3.    Sticky Note Saver
4.    'My Litl' Black Book' for Family, Friends, Customers, Etc.
5.    Camera & Photo Album & posting to Instagram to share with family & friends
6.    Emails for personal and work
7.    Entertainment for myself & my young children
8.    A Work in Progress - collection of images, ideas, Pinterest 'when I have time' files
9.    Music
10.  Child Allowance Tracker

As they said in the article...."call it good, call it bad, it just is"  when referring to the estimated 5 billion mobile phone connections in the world.  There was a time when phones were not around, then they became available in our homes connected to a wall, when I was younger I remember thinking how inconvenient it was to have the phone only on the kitchen wall - never seemed the right place to have a long conversation;)
As kids we thought that cordless phones were cool so that we could hang out in our bedroom and have a conversation with someone without anyone else in the room.  Little did we know ... that it would come to this.
How about when I was in high school and we had one of these!!!  Kids these days would not even know what to do with this!  Technology has come so far... a generation ago it needed a whole room now it can fit in one of our pockets ... or if you so choose a bag like this one;)

Now wonder why some of us feel we never leave the office... some of us even feel a sense of panic if we happen to walk into the other room without our device!  From the car to the bathroom, then the kitchen to the bedroom.... during our exercise/leisure activities and of course work activities... it is an additional piece of us...some say 'like an additional limb."

How The Smartphone Invasion Changed The Way We Live -                    

http://goo.gl/gkEaU

The life of a teenager these days is a little different than I remember myself.  It is estimated that a teenager consumes 10.5 hours of media in a day, according to Credit Suisse.  If this is accurate... we as educators could only hope that a percentage of that is used with something educational!

For Fun:
I asked a former student about her smart phone usage and she responded with the following:
device:  HTC Radar Windows Phone                                         

who:  freshman - girl                                     

alarm in a.m.

checks for texts/calls/etc. texts friends                                                             

at school uses it for research, classwork, etc.

at lunch freely

before, during & after school uses:

text, call, internet, twitter, facebook, 

instagram, pinterest, camera, calculator, 

calendar, reminders

carries it with or on her at all times 

(not at dinner or in bathroom)

does a lot of babysitting so uses it as a 'business' phone

I think that it would be very interesting to have several students track their usage just to see how much they do depend on these during their daily lives.  I find it fascinating just how much they seem to be attached to them, yet do not personally like the feeling when I do not have mine either!  I do not go into a panic but I do however seem to 'need' it whenever that happens.  

This House Believes Children Should Be Allowed -

http://goo.gl/HV4Gq

We have a need to feel connected and with technology that has been made very possible for us 24/7.  

Many of us take our mobile devices more places than we would like to admit.  

But when is it too much or inappropriate?

As discussed using the format of a table with points for and points against, this article states opinion on 4 categories regarding children and mobile devices.  

1. Mobile phones keep children safe

I agree to a certain extent but what about all of us that grew up just fine with out them? I do love that it is a convenient way to communicate things with parents - especially important things that need immediate attention and can be solved because of the text feature or just having their cell phone with them at school for the right number to call.

2. Children should be comfortable with modern technology

I agree completely - the more comfortable they are, the better they can learn using these devices

Although, it states the average age is 8 for a first phone, I am not sure that I feel the maturity to have 'own' their own phone is until after that age... middle school seems to be a good age of responsibility from my experience as a teacher so far.  We need to embrace it and make it work for us as parents and as teachers.

3.  Mobile phones encourage the development of independence and interpersonal skills

I agree, my daughter is 3 and my son is 6 and they can navigate through things on both of our smartphones and also on an iPad.  That doesn't mean they each need one of their own though.  There are a lot of very good educational games for younger kids that they all seem to love to play.

4. Schools can implement programs to encourage responsible and considerate mobile phone use

I completely agree, this is in the works but will need to be taught at home as well!!!  It will need to be reinforced by all if we want them to actually learn these and follow them.

We have a great task at hand with this young technology that is going to be always changing and as educators and parents we need to be aware and also knowledgeable of what it is and how it can be used in our daily lives.  It would be great if only good things could come out of it all...but being realistic there are always going to be things that happen that we will need to figure out as they arise.  But if we do not take the proactive stance as parents and educators and teach our youth how to use these devices appropriately and responsibly ... then who will?????

Additional Examples of Our Everyday Activities that have been altered by the mobile phone....

Really?...even in here...

Exercise 

Modern Day Chatting? Hanging Out?

Staying Connected...but to who?

Quality Family Time?

Distracted & Dangerous

Graphs that support the newest trend of Smartphones as discussed in these articles above...

What the proposed future holds...

Update on Users Choice