- 24 pencils....check
- 12'' ruler....check
- scissors ....check
- 2 glue sticks....check
- 4 dry erase markers.....check
- 5 pronged folders....check
- Personal Electronic Device....what!?
As more and more schools are turning to technology-based education, our districts are faced with the cost of providing devices for each student. And, since this is practically impossible for many districts, they are turning to BYOD (bring your own device) policies.
However, as districts turn to this type of policy, there are many legal issues to deal with prior to implementing this technology. Here are a few things to be aware of when having a BYOD policy in your classroom:
- How about the Network??
- Students should have a secure network to connect- no open or unrestricted networks! Using a "guest" network is best.
- CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) requires all networks and computers to have filters for child safety.
- Districts should have an Internet Safety Policy to address how they will prevent minors from finding inappropriate sites on the web.
- Reasonable notice or a public hearing must be held to inform the public on the use of BYOD in your school...I never knew that one.
- What about student behavior?
- At one time, having a cell phone out in class was considered against the code of conduct. I remember constantly getting in trouble in an art class for texting while I worked (I really did work!) Yet, today, these smartphones are expected to be a part of your education. So, how can we ensure that the technology is being used properly?
- Create an acceptable use policy that all students and parents review prior to starting BYOD
- Ensure students know and follow the code of conduct of your building- no bullying, cheating, or inappropriate use of the device. These kids still need to know they can have their tool taken away if misused.
- With technology being so accessible in the classroom these days, it is important, too, to ensure your teachers are following a code of conduct. Don't update your facebook status in the middle of the school day- especially if it is to say how you would like to "duct tape" a student to their chair...
Here is a great video to get you thinking about BOYD in your own classroom. What are the benefits? What are the limitations? And are the legal issues worth it?
I think often times people don't realize how big and impactful a BYOD initiative is and the people it affects. It truly does affect every student, teacher, administrator, district employee, parent, coach, community member and more. Each subset of individuals has a different set of needs and requirement of information so that's absolutely an important piece to consider. BYOD goes far beyond just the student bringing that device and truly is a shift in learning and school culture.
ReplyDeleteBYOD is an excellent resource, and having used it in a number of the classes in which I co-teach, I give it a big thumbs-up. As the BYOD program grows, I do have some worries about kids who can't afford their own devices feeling really badly about that, or that they would be at an educational disadvantage (not unlike those who are already at a disadvantage for not having a computer at home). On the other hand, if more students have their own devices, that frees up school computers for everyone else--a great help.
DeleteBYOD has many benefits and now I can't imagine not using it in my classroom. I started using BYOD last school year and it was the best decision I have made. Of course I was very nervous my students would be texting and not working, which didn't happen. If they did send a text here or there I didn't notice and they still completed their learning activity! I was also nervous someones device was going to get stolen or broken, which also never happend. There is obviously several procedures and policies that need to be in place before implementing BYOD but once this is done, BYOD takes learning to a whole new level. I recommend it to all teachers.
ReplyDeleteYou should teach a class on BYOD! I had anxieties too, but students used to pass notes on paper, or lose calculators, same issues as in the past... as long as kids are engaged, the tool willl be used properly.
DeleteI would agree...it is so convenient and nice to have as a tool in the classroom. Not always is it fitting for my line of work...but definitely has it awesome uses. The advantages do outweigh the disadvantages. As long as, like Melissa said, you have procedures and policies in place. There are a lot of teachers with anxiety but so many of us have the positive outlook that hopefully we can assure them of the benefits and put an ease to their worries.
DeleteAs devices become cheaper, we will see the personal tablet become more of a norm, just like the old TRAPPER KEEPER. I remember those kids who had the TRAPPER- it was like the macbook pro of the early 1980's. The issues are real, and Andrea did a great job demonstrating the key questions. Security is still very important, and we may have to find ways in order to secure students' devices, even in K-3!
ReplyDeleteWe may have to find ways to secure devices just like we had to find ways to secure trapper keepers, especially the ones with pictures of baseball cards on the front. Those were the bomb!
DeleteThere are definitely legal ramifications with BYOD, but there are all kinds of potential legal ramifications when you have a large number of adolescent teens all gathered in one place. You can't eliminate powerful teaching tools because some kids my use it the wrong way or do something stupid with the devices. The devices have so much potential to empower students and take them to a new level of understanding and engagement.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know more about Andrea's note about the requirement that "reasonable notice or a public hearing must be held to inform the public on the use of BYOD in your school." What does that look like?
DeleteIf we didn't do things just because there was a chance of something going wrong, what would we do in school? In any situation there is a chance to fail and things to go wrong. I think we should encourage failure - let's create a safe environment where students aren't afraid to fail and can learn from their mistakes early. This is the same for learning about how, when, where, why to use devices in schools.
DeleteWe have successfully test-driven BYOD at the fifth grade level in a number of classrooms in which I co-teach. The positives have far outweighed the challenges. One of the biggest benefits I have observed is engagement: the students who have their own devices have really been enjoying using their own devices. So far, most of the students have stayed on task and have not misused the privilege. The few students who do try to do something off-task, like opening a game in a second window or tab, or using Google chat to send notes, are the ones who tried to do that on the school computer (that's when we got out the AUP and went over the agreements again). Another issue: one student insisted on using her smartphone to type text for a long research essay, and her screen was way too small to be useful (not a great editing and writing tool compared to a laptop or tablet, even). Also, sometimes we teachers have not been able to solve a tech problem on unknown devices, but that hasn't been a big issue. Overall, BYOD has been beneficial, especially when school computers are unavailable.
ReplyDeleteI think BYOD is great for students because they get to use their devices like they will in the real world. I like how our district allows students to use the guest wireless internet for their devices. Implementing BYOD is a game changer for the classroom because they instantly have infinitely more information at their fingertips then they had previously. There are still teachers that resist the use of these devices in the classroom but I believe as more teachers use them they will see the benefits themselves.
ReplyDeleteI also didn’t know that you had to have a meeting letting the community know that you are implementing BYOD. Good thing we are at Oak Hills where they work very hard to communicate with parents about these things.
I would agree that there are always going to be those students that are off task and also try to send texts, etc. but there are ways to minimize these opportunities and engage them enough that they will not want to move away from the project;)
ReplyDeleteI think that you bring up a good point about finding something that engages them. If we engage them they will be less likely to be doing something they are not supposed to. At the same time, we all know they will still have that temptation to be doing something else. This is why teachers need to be given strategies like screen checks, etc to help them monitor their students activities.
Delete