A new
semester means new courses, new challenges and (hopefully) new learning
experiences. Yet, as the saying goes – what’s old is new! With that in mind, I
will be continuing my (old) blog as part of a reflective practice in my (new) 21st
Century Literacies class, both as a learner and a prospective teacher. Well, no
time to waste. Let’s jump right into it…
After
negotiating our curriculum with our professor (talk about student-centred
education!), among other things, it was agreed students would follow a few
teacher blogs as an insight into what is happening in 21st century
classrooms across the globe. In my search for teacher blogs to follow, I
noticed that the concept of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) continually emerged up
as a topic of interest among educators. While the notion of allowing students to bring
their own personal devices into the classroom was unheard of when I went to high
school, many innovative 21st century teachers seem to be adopting
the idea as a means of aiding and enhancing student learning (Drake, Reid & Kilohon, 2012).
Proponents
of BYOB point to the opportunities for students to digitally create work, collaborate
with others and use educational apps anywhere and anytime. For example, 21st century educator
Jimmy Blackwood uses the website smore.com to create interactive lesson plans
that his Grade 9 Issues in Geography class can access on their own devices (Smore Lesson Plan).
The lessons feature photos, videos and podcasts that students must review and
analyze before completing their associated activities or tasks. Forget those boring
old worksheets! Or how about Head of School Matt Levinson at University Prep in
Seattle, who supports the use of personal devices as an assessment tool that
allows students to provide immediate feedback in the form of digital exit cards (Edutopia Blog - Digital Exit Cards).
In
fact, BYOD even presents a unique opportunity to integrate many of the Ontario
curriculum literacies and skills that are being emphasized in 21st
century education and are also the focus of my current studies. What better
way to implement global and multicultural literacy into the classroom than to
have students connect with learners on the other side of the world through
their mobile devices? How about teaching students responsible and safe use of
social media in and outside of the classroom?
Still,
this particular teaching practice does pose potential complications that should
be addressed.
First,
a case can be made that BYOD favours students from higher socio-economic
backgrounds and access to greater technological resources. What about students
that don’t have a cell phone, tablet or laptop? I would counter this argument
by noting that BYOD actually frees up school resources for students that need
them. Furthermore, by incorporating collaborative or peer teaching experiences
into the classroom, students can learn from each other and have equal access to
technology.
Second,
teachers may have concerns about controlling use and content of personal
devices in their classes. Newsflash to teachers – students are bringing their
devices into your classrooms anyways! So instead of making students hide the
devices in their pockets, why not incorporate BYOD into meaningful educational
experiences that include instruction on appropriate technology use (an
essential component of media and digital literacy)?
Third,
BYOD may present challenges for teachers that are unfamiliar or still playing
“catch up” with the use of technology. However, a constructivist view tells us there
is value in a reciprocal pedagogical approach where both the student and the
teacher learn from each other. Teachers don’t need to be an expert in
everything they teach!
Wow…so
much rambling I almost forgot the most important part – What do students
think about BYOB?
Check
out this video for a student perspective and advocacy for technology in
the classroom:
As
the video states, 21st century students are accustomed to having a
wealth of information at their fingertips. This is how “digital natives” learn
in the real world…so why should it be any different in a classroom?
Personally,
I cannot imagine going to class without my laptop. Note-taking, research,
connecting with colleagues during group projects...all made easier and more
engaging with the assistance of technology. And as technology continues to be a
catalyst for a “new story” of education (Drake, Reid & Kilohon, 2012), I say…embrace the change!
But
let me ask you…will BYOD be implemented in your classroom?
Check
out these 10 things your students can do with BYOB: YouTube: 10 Ways Students Can BYOD
References:
Drake, S.M. & Reid, J.L. & Kolohon, W. (2014). Interweaving curriculum and classroom assessment: Engaging the 21 Century Learner. Toronto, ON: Oxford University Press.
References:
Drake, S.M. & Reid, J.L. & Kolohon, W. (2014). Interweaving curriculum and classroom assessment: Engaging the 21 Century Learner. Toronto, ON: Oxford University Press.
