Author: Bob Hand
While a student pulling out their mobile phone during class would have been cause for a warning or detention a decade ago, thousands of K-12 learners regularly use their mobile devices in the classroom today. Approaches in instruction need to keep pace with the rapidly evolving technological landscape. Nearly half of all school districts have adopted a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy, but teachers across the nation are still getting their sea legs.
If you are in a school district that has recently adopted one, you have a good idea of how dramatically the practice shifts classroom structure. Here are five ways teachers can make the most out of a BYOD policy:
If you are in a school district that has recently adopted one, you have a good idea of how dramatically the practice shifts classroom structure. Here are five ways teachers can make the most out of a BYOD policy:
Rely on Web-Based Applications
There is a broad range of devices out there, and the fact that BYOD brings all of them into one classroom can seem chaotic. While you need to follow administrative guidance regarding which phones and tablets are allowed, you can still facilitate instruction across platforms by using web-based applications for classwork. These are compatible with a wide range of devices and allow students to collaborate in many ways.
Some commonly used examples include:
Some commonly used examples include:
Don’t Let Tech Negatively Impact Your Teaching
It’s not a stretch of the imagination to assume that giving students access to their personal mobile devices will lead to some distractions. Establish clear expectations regarding technology usage during instruction. Some examples of recommended prohibited behaviors include multitasking during instruction or using social media and gaming apps for non-school-related purposes.
Classroom content and applications should also be optimized for all devices. While web-based applications (as explained above) can help, your own supplemental material should be formatted to display properly. Consider how users interact with information on different devices; we tend to value scannability on mobile devices, and students will find content much more accessible if you keep this concept in mind. Formatting text into short paragraphs and using visual aids like graphs and illustrations can go a long way towards improving student engagement.
Of course, technology can serve as a distraction to instructors as well. Be wary if a promising application or technology replaces you as the instructor in some capacity, focuses on the consumption of content rather than content creation, or uses strictly defined predetermined standards and expected outcomes. In the modern classroom, there is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to edtech.
Classroom content and applications should also be optimized for all devices. While web-based applications (as explained above) can help, your own supplemental material should be formatted to display properly. Consider how users interact with information on different devices; we tend to value scannability on mobile devices, and students will find content much more accessible if you keep this concept in mind. Formatting text into short paragraphs and using visual aids like graphs and illustrations can go a long way towards improving student engagement.
Of course, technology can serve as a distraction to instructors as well. Be wary if a promising application or technology replaces you as the instructor in some capacity, focuses on the consumption of content rather than content creation, or uses strictly defined predetermined standards and expected outcomes. In the modern classroom, there is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to edtech.
Teach Students to Take Advantage of New Features
As smartphones and tablets become more advanced, new hardware and software features will inevitably have applications for the classroom. As evidenced by the nonstop flow of articles purporting to enlighten readers about amazing “hidden” features, consumers clearly struggle with learning the ins and outs of their mobile phones and tablets — and your students are no exception. Stay abreast of recent innovations and discuss particularly useful features with students as they become popularized.
If you want to find a contemporary example of this, a recent example can be found in the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, which introduced features like app pairing and screen off memos. Pairing commonly used programs, such as collaborative and messaging apps, is a no-brainer. The ability to make quick notes can be a great help during class as well. Students may not be aware of these features, to help students take full advantage of the technology they have.
If you want to find a contemporary example of this, a recent example can be found in the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, which introduced features like app pairing and screen off memos. Pairing commonly used programs, such as collaborative and messaging apps, is a no-brainer. The ability to make quick notes can be a great help during class as well. Students may not be aware of these features, to help students take full advantage of the technology they have.
Be Mindful of Security and Privacy Issues
It would be irresponsible to discuss BYOD policies in K-12 schools without touching on the complex challenges regarding security and privacy that they bring. A wide range of devices means a wide range of security vulnerabilities. When instating a BYOD policy, it is imperative to establish strong rules, protect off-grounds school technology, and safeguard school networks by using secure file exchange solutions when transmitting data. Adhere to administration guidelines concerning firewalls and antivirus software and teach students the importance of following suit.
In regards to privacy, cyberbullying is an obvious concern, but moderating student activity on personal devices is a thorny proposition; certain punitive measures could be legally interpreted as freedom of speech violations. However, if a student’s actions prevent academic progress for any pupil, or if the behavior takes place on school-provided technology, administrators and educators are well within their jurisdiction to monitor and intervene.
In regards to privacy, cyberbullying is an obvious concern, but moderating student activity on personal devices is a thorny proposition; certain punitive measures could be legally interpreted as freedom of speech violations. However, if a student’s actions prevent academic progress for any pupil, or if the behavior takes place on school-provided technology, administrators and educators are well within their jurisdiction to monitor and intervene.
Advocate for BYOD Equity
An obvious concern when implementing a BYOD policy is the inherent lack of equality. Not all learners can afford a mobile device, nor can all school districts afford “loaner” devices for underprivileged students. No amount of preparation can create a completely equitable environment for learners under a BYOD policy. If you teach in an area undergoing economic hardships, this problem may seem ubiquitous.
However, as a teacher, you are a powerful voice for your students. By becoming a teacher advocate, you can contribute to major changes within your school district. Such instructors use their personal experiences in the classroom to inform and enhance advocacy efforts. As you work with students under a BYOD policy, take note of the correlation between student achievement and access to technology. Use these stories to speak out in support of your students’ needs. There are several possible positive outcomes to strive for, including increased school funding and community mobile device donations.
However, as a teacher, you are a powerful voice for your students. By becoming a teacher advocate, you can contribute to major changes within your school district. Such instructors use their personal experiences in the classroom to inform and enhance advocacy efforts. As you work with students under a BYOD policy, take note of the correlation between student achievement and access to technology. Use these stories to speak out in support of your students’ needs. There are several possible positive outcomes to strive for, including increased school funding and community mobile device donations.
About the Author:
Bob Hand is a blogger from Boise, ID. He studied English with an emphasis on Secondary Education at the University of South Carolina, and continues to keep a pulse on current issues in education. His hobbies include reading and collecting vinyl records. You can follow him on Twitter @bob_hand567.
