This prompted a discussion about bring your own device programs in schools and whether students having a device with them was a distraction or whether it could be used in a constructive manner. In my opinion, BYOD is a great idea.
Throughout my three student teaching placements, I have had a variety of experiences with technology. From teaching in a room filled with 18 computers, to being in a school with a computer lab with computers older than I am, to not using any technology what so ever. Each experience had its own draw backs that could have benefited with each student having their own device.
Examples:
The computer lab had 18 computers. My grade 10 geography class had 24 students. You do the math! When doing a project requiring a computer, what do the six students who aren't lucky enough to get one do? Also, there was very little space for students to move around with all of the computers taking up most of the space. If each student were to have their own device it would solve the math problem as well as the space issues.
A computer lab having ancient computers wastes time and frustrates students. So much so that they don't want to even use them! This school was actually moving towards BYOD which was why the school hadn't needed to update their computer lab.
The problem with not allowing students to use technology at all is that they get bored easily. These kids all use technology at home, some of them probably even have their own device so not having the opportunities to use the technology is boring and sometimes frustrating to them! And let's face it... technology is fun! In this case, BYOD probably wouldn't be practical for a grade 5 class but having opportunities to use the laptop cart or the iPads would have been very beneficial.
I would love the opportunity to work in a division where students all have their own devices because I think that I would be able to use them in a productive way.
What are your thoughts/experiences with BYOD?
Good blog, Karlie. My final placement is in a school that has a 1:1 student to technology ratio, meaning BYOD. I think this is a great way for students to all feel included because everyone has some sort of device to use. It is also a great time saver for the teacher, because we always know that students can do research, thus saving us time from having to book the laptop cart, make sure they were all plugged in the night before, making sure everyone knows their password and user ID, etc. I am excited to see how this next placement utilizes their 1:1 rule and some of the pros and cons that go with it!
ReplyDelete