Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Technology should be a large aspect of each classroom in every school in order to best educate our students for the twenty first century lives. However, bringing 1:1 technology programs into a school is very expensive. However, schools have begun to use Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs to get technology into the classroom. BYOD programs allow students to bring their own personal devices to school that are internet ready, and connect to the school WiFi. There are several pros and cons to this program, but in my opinion all of the cons are outweighed by the pros. 

A BYOD program will bring about its challenges, such as compatibility, wireless bandwidth, and students without device. However, because the BYOD program is typically cost effective (Wainwright, n.d.), more money can be put towards updating the school’s bandwidth, and creating a lending program for students that are not able to purchase a device on their own (Intel Education, 2014). Additionally, most issues with compatibility can be solved by using programs that are cloud based, so everyone can access what is being used (Intel Education, 2014). Additionally, there is often a complaint about technology being a distraction to students. However, if the lesson is truly engaging and catches student's interest, the students will not get side tracked with all of the other capabilities of their device (Fang, 2009).

I think that these programs would be ideal for middle and high school students, because the majority of these students already have personal devices and also have the ability to be responsible for these devices in school. Students could use smartphones, tablets, iPads, or laptops.  These students would be taught proper etiquette and the rules of using their own devices. They would be asked to bring it fully charged to school, but will also have the ability to charge in school toward the end of the day. Students and parents would have to sign an agreement about the use of the devices and within that, it would spell out the consequences if there are any infractions. Warnings would be given, with chances to change behavior. However if the problem persists the student could lose their privileges completely. 

Finally, a problem that could come up would involve troubleshooting several different devices. Although this may seem like a large problem, kids are good at troubleshooting problems with technology, and this would be a higher order thinking skill, which would benefit everyone in the long run!


References

Fang. (2009, December 22). From Distraction to Engagement: Wireless Devices in the

Classroom. Retrieved February 05, 2016, from http://er.educause.edu/articles/2009/12/from-distraction-to-engagement-wireless-devices-in-the-classroom

Intel Education. (2014). Getting Started with BYOD. Retrieved from

http://www.k12blueprint.com/sites/default/files/Getting-Started-BYOD.pdf