Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is an initiative that many school districts are adopting to allow students to bring their own device (smart phone, tablet, etc.) to school for curriculum purposes. By allowing students to use their own device, school districts save costs of purchasing these devices and save on resources by not having the technology staff be responsible for updates for the hundreds of devices. BYOD has many advantages, but it also brings about several disadvantages. One advantage is that all students can have access to digital content especially if all students already have smart phones. However, since the students bring their own device they must be responsible for ensuring it is up to date, charged, and can access the material. This can occasionally present problems. Another benefit is that students are able to collaborate and participate digitally which typically leads to increased engagement. This means that group projects can work easily, but when all students have devices they can be easily distracted by text messages, social media posts, or other websites or apps.

I think Bring Your Own Device is a great trend that works well overall. As a teacher, I love knowing that I can plan an online quest or other digital assignment and everyone will have a device. If someone doesn't have one that day they can easily pair up with another student. To me, this makes teaching and learning exciting and engaging through the use of apps and tools such as Show Me, Evernote, and the Google Suite. My district has recently gone 1:1, and I can say that it is easier when everyone has an assigned device; however, students miss out on so many opportunities when technology is not utilized.

BYOD can present problems so teacher management is crucial. Some schools that I am familiar with implemented the use of the "Cell Jail" where students place their cell phone in the assigned pocket of a pocket chart. Then, after the teacher presents the content and students are ready for the activity, the students can use their phone to complete the activity. Another teacher has the students to drop them in a basket. From what I have seen, it works for students as long as the expectations are made clear and students know that they will be able to access their device at the correct time.

When I think of digital equity and lower performing schools my first thought is that technology can help all learners, no matter the school, access the same content. I know, though, that often times lower performing schools have a much different demographic than its higher performing peers. I used to teach second grade prior to becoming a library media specialist. In my experience, our students did not all have devices to bring, but we had more technology in our school than other high performing elementary schools in the district because of Title I funds. I think teachers will have to be more creative with accessing the content if the number of devices is an issue. I also believe that if they are a lower performing school then maybe changing instruction methods could be a positive change. I think these teachers could gain support from fellow teachers and even those at other schools who have devices to understand how they are using them in the classroom. The district technology staff might also be of service to these teachers. In the past I have been guilty in the past of making statements like "we can't do that because ___," and this is not the correct response. Like I said, these teachers might have to be more creative, but we have to be flexible to ensure that all students are successful whether they can bring their own device or not.

Teacher professional development will need to shift towards technology and technology integration once a school or district adopts a Bring Your Own Device policy. Teachers will also need to be willing to research about technology integration in their field. There are many conferences available to learn how to use technology in education, and teachers might need to attend conferences or workshops for hands on training.

In my opinion, if students do not learn to use technology to access information, to gain insight, to research, and to collaborate then they will be lacking schools necessary to succeed in the work force when they are older. I hear this generation of students say "Ask Google," and while Google can provide many answers, they still need skills such as typing, using the Cloud, sharing projects, communicating digitally, and finding reputable sources. Since companies are shifting their expectations to fit with this Millennial Generation, we must shift our educational practices to prepare students for the digital world in which we live!