BYOD - Deb Tison

Bring Your Own Device - many elementary schools in Poway Unified School District have launched one  BYOD Day each week when students can bring in a device to work on in their school classroom.  The classroom teacher uses that day to introduce an app or two that is useful for a project the students are working on.  BYOD Days accomplished a few things:
1. increase integrated technology use with no capital investment by school district
2. increase time for teachers to find and master age-appropriate apps
3. increase time for technical support staff to upgrade wi-fi, band-width and other necessary technical support
Despite the gradual nature of one or two BYOD Days at a school or in a class, the hurdles are numerous.  In an article from teachhub.com entitled "The Disadvantage of iPads in the Classroom" the author points out several disadvantages which would affect any device including Wi-Fi issues, charging issues, and "too many options" in addition to several others.  In addition, the variety of devices can present additional technical hurdles that the classroom teacher is now expected to resolve in the midst of teaching a class of students.  Despite the challenges, the gradual roll-out of integrated technology is more effective and possibly more efficient than a sudden switch to being a "1:1 School".

Schools that have instantaneously become "1:1" schools have encountered many pitfalls  mentioned above in addition to insufficient bye-in from teachers, lack of technical support, insufficient professional development, and lack of community support.   A 1:1 school is committed to each student having their own device(either a tablet or laptop depending on age) and the expectation is that the primary mode of teaching be computer-based.  Many of the trials and tribulations of this transition are detailed in the 2008 report on the effectiveness of the legislated "technology immersion" program in Texas: "Evaluation of the Texas Technology Immersion Program 2004-2008".  Despite the legislative mandate, the process of introducing, teaching and supporting technology at schools throughout Texas was riddled with issues that hindering its efficacy.  An example was that despite the goal being "technology immersion", many of the evaluated schools were averaging only one or two days per week of computer-based instruction.

Although the goals are similar, BYOD Days and "Technology Immersion" are two drastically different paths to increasing integrated technology use in the classroom.  Each educational community must choose wisely which path to embark upon.

Works Cited

For Educational Research, Texas Center. "Evaluation of the Texas Technology Immersion Pilot." ERIC. Texas Center for Educational Research, Jan. 2008. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.
http:www.teachhub.com/advantagesdisadvantages-ipad-classroomTheDisadvantages of iPads in the Classroom