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.
I believe that BYOD is an incredible resource for teachers. I know that becoming a teacher myself, the thought of using technology all the time when I don't know a lot about it scares me. That being said, as a perspective teacher it is my job to go out and discover different technologies for myself. It is my job to find different apps or websites that could be implemented well into my classrooms. Teachers need to admit when they don't understand something and either find someone that will help them learn or ask the students. Most children these days have a vast knowledge of what kinds of apps are out there, and they also know how they want to learn. We need to adapt to the times and adapt to our students in order for them to get the full benefit of what you are teaching them.
ReplyDeleteAnother fear for many, as you have mentioned, is the students getting off task when they are on their devices. Implementing a warning system for students will help them stay on task, and if you find they are still goofing off, there is an app for that! For those with iPads and iPhones there is an app that you can install called Guided Access which allows a lock to be placed on the device via password that the teacher can set up. This allows the device to lock all apps except the one that they are using during the class time. As long as you remember to unlock it before they leave the class, or let the parents of the students know what the password is, then there should be no issues. BYOD speaks to the new way of teaching and connecting, and every teacher should be going out of their way to learn more about it.
I really enjoyed this blog entry and the whole idea of BYOD. I was familiar with the idea but the actual concept is much better fleshed out here than I had previously encountered.
ReplyDeleteWhat specifically stood out to me was the way in which you focused on the economics of BYOD. While it had previously occurred to me that there were specific economic considerations to BYOD, I had not considered the benefits to student's having devices freed up for them by those who brought their own. Whether this would lead to ostracization or bullying would remain to be seen, however, I think it would behoove schools to try this to free up overfilled computer labs.
Michelle's comment is also interesting as, with the Guided Access apps, the students would be able to have their focus ensured while still using their devices on breaks for their desired purposes.
The feeling that students cannot be trusted with their devices are an antiquated idea. Most students I've personally seen in classroom have the ability to focus and use their devices in appropriate situations and circumstances, but are not being trusted to do so, fracturing their relationships with teachers. I believe BYOD is a way to return devices to the classroom but on the terms of the teacher, rather than the "rebellious student".