Technology is an imperative component to today’s education system. With such a rapid boom keeping educational technology current may prove to be an unrealistic task. However, as mentioned above, with a BYOD program, schools have been able to make strides towards taking the bull by the horns and using student’s personal technology to the benefit of each student’s education and learning. After a survey was conducted by Michael Simkins on BYOD, one respondent replied to Simkins comments by saying,
Start looking at smartphones as an educational tool rather than an annoying distraction. Yes, said one respondent, ‘This is a real stretch for many schools’ who fear students will spend their time texting and visiting their social networking sites. ‘But many teachers already admit to allowing a student to Google something in class during a lesson.’ Why not embrace the smartphone and make it our friend? ‘This includes allowing teachers to access their own devices rather than have a policy that prevents it. Part of the learning curve for all of us in the 21st century is how and when to use these devices appropriately.’ (Simkins, 2011, p. 11)
When it comes to BYOD, there are multiple advantages that have been brought to the surface. These advantages range from cost efficiency to developing leadership amongst students.
In today’s society with the economic struggles worldwide, money is a real issue in education. Funding to provide the latest programs and devices, which will help to give students a competitive edge for society, are limited in many places. BYOD offers a more financially savvy approach to technology. One study found that, “The primary reason whenever anyone begins the discussion is cost. Another cost incentive that is mentioned is that it takes pressure off the tech support structure as students are responsible for their own devices” (Nelson, 2012, p. 14). The cost of integrating such technology into the classroom is available at a lesser cost to the school if the students are able to bring their own technology. The cost of building a network, as discussed earlier, can be quite costly, but the school does not have to purchase devices as well as a network. This is extremely beneficial if the students, or most of them, own applicable devices to be used in the classroom. Another study amongst sixth graders found, “One third of all 6th grade students have a smartphone, 73 percent own a MP3 player, half of all 6th graders take online tests, and 25 percent of 6th graders are already using an e-textbook” (Suarez, 2012, p. 17). This shows that the devices are available and, if the school districts take advantage of this, BYOD can be beneficial to the education learning environment.
Along with the cost effectiveness, comes the advantage of familiarity to students. This means students can use the same technology that they are used to using at home in the classroom. This creates a great advantage for the students not having to learn a new device to continue learning or engaging in the material. Not only do the students have a device they are familiar with, they also learn how to take initiative and be leaders in order to help fellow peers. In Saline School District in Michigan, the superintendent and director of instructional technology discussed the benefits after one year of BYOD implementation.
Students naturally teamed up and sought out students who did not have their own technology to bring to class- kind of a ‘no classmate left behind’ scenario. Students have really enjoyed the role of content producers versus passive consumers. We considered offering a ‘help desk’ for students so that classroom teachers weren’t burdened but there was no need (Graden & Kellstrom, 2012, p. 36).
Along with the leadership that BYOD programs can facilitate, it also pushes students to succeed and complete tasks in an individualized way. Some results from a school that implemented BYOD shared that, “A sixth-grade student reported that she could learn any time, any place. A fifth-grade student writing with Storybird reported that for the first time he believed he could write” (Nelson, 2012, p. 15). Success as displayed in these stories, are just a few of the advantages of BYOD programs in education.
Technology is an imperative component to today’s education system. With such a rapid boom keeping educational technology current may prove to be an unrealistic task. However, as mentioned above, with a BYOD program, schools have been able to make strides towards taking the bull by the horns and using student’s personal technology to the benefit of each student’s education and learning. After a survey was conducted by Michael Simkins on BYOD, one respondent replied to Simkins comments by saying,
Start looking at smartphones as an educational tool rather than an annoying distraction. Yes, said one respondent, ‘This is a real stretch for many schools’ who fear students will spend their time texting and visiting their social networking sites. ‘But many teachers already admit to allowing a student to Google something in class during a lesson.’ Why not embrace the smartphone and make it our friend? ‘This includes allowing teachers to access their own devices rather than have a policy that prevents it. Part of the learning curve for all of us in the 21st century is how and when to use these devices appropriately.’ (Simkins, 2011, p. 11)
When it comes to BYOD, there are multiple advantages that have been brought to the surface. These advantages range from cost efficiency to developing leadership amongst students.
In today’s society with the economic struggles worldwide, money is a real issue in education. Funding to provide the latest programs and devices, which will help to give students a competitive edge for society, are limited in many places. BYOD offers a more financially savvy approach to technology. One study found that, “The primary reason whenever anyone begins the discussion is cost. Another cost incentive that is mentioned is that it takes pressure off the tech support structure as students are responsible for their own devices” (Nelson, 2012, p. 14). The cost of integrating such technology into the classroom is available at a lesser cost to the school if the students are able to bring their own technology. The cost of building a network, as discussed earlier, can be quite costly, but the school does not have to purchase devices as well as a network. This is extremely beneficial if the students, or most of them, own applicable devices to be used in the classroom. Another study amongst sixth graders found, “One third of all 6th grade students have a smartphone, 73 percent own a MP3 player, half of all 6th graders take online tests, and 25 percent of 6th graders are already using an e-textbook” (Suarez, 2012, p. 17). This shows that the devices are available and, if the school districts take advantage of this, BYOD can be beneficial to the education learning environment.
Along with the cost effectiveness, comes the advantage of familiarity to students. This means students can use the same technology that they are used to using at home in the classroom. This creates a great advantage for the students not having to learn a new device to continue learning or engaging in the material. Not only do the students have a device they are familiar with, they also learn how to take initiative and be leaders in order to help fellow peers. In Saline School District in Michigan, the superintendent and director of instructional technology discussed the benefits after one year of BYOD implementation.
Students naturally teamed up and sought out students who did not have their own technology to bring to class- kind of a ‘no classmate left behind’ scenario. Students have really enjoyed the role of content producers versus passive consumers. We considered offering a ‘help desk’ for students so that classroom teachers weren’t burdened but there was no need (Graden & Kellstrom, 2012, p. 36).
Along with the leadership that BYOD programs can facilitate, it also pushes students to succeed and complete tasks in an individualized way. Some results from a school that implemented BYOD shared that, “A sixth-grade student reported that she could learn any time, any place. A fifth-grade student writing with Storybird reported that for the first time he believed he could write” (Nelson, 2012, p. 15). Success as displayed in these stories, are just a few of the advantages of BYOD programs in education.