Learning and Leading - February 2012

READERSrespond

POLL RESULTS

Should students use their own devices in the classroom? Most respondents believe that “bring your own device” (BYOD) is a solution whose time has come.

BYOD Is Not to Blame

As districts struggle to meet the challenge of unfunded mandates with shrinking budgets, it makes sense to explore ways to maximize return on technology investment and leverage the potential of all available technology to transform teaching and learning. While opponents argue that mobile technologies contribute to student distraction and facilitate cheating, the truth is that distraction occurs when students lack meaningful, relevant interaction with content, and cheating is greatly diminished when assessments require students to apply what they have learned to solve complex, real-world problems.

Jeannie Galindo Supervisor of Instructional Technology Bradenton, Florida, USA

Tech Support Reality Check

For an IT department to effectively support students, devices need the best warranties available to protect against defects and damage. Devices need to be insured to ensure they can be replaced in the event of loss or theft. Parts, supplies, and hot-swap replacement units should be on hand so equipment is down only temporarily. When students and their families are responsible for acquiring equipment, corners will be cut, and every configuration will be different. Repair work on laptops can be lengthy and costly and would lead to excuses for missing work rather than the productivity expected from a one-to-one program.

Mark Pettit Systems Administrator Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Three BYOD Benefits

First, students could become more engaged in academics because their favorite toys are linked to what they do in school. The portable nature of these devices means students can extend their learning activities beyond the classroom. Second, additional technology assets would benefit classrooms where such assets are lacking. Students could take pictures/videos, record notes, communicate with group members, or measure objects while away from school. Third, it’s an opportunity to link students’ lives with the content they study. Why create the false impression that technology tools are for personal and social use only?

Gregory Sucre Project Coordinator, ALEC Pikesville, Maryland, USA

Pay Attention!

Not long ago, computers in the classroom were seen as giving students too much freedom to get themselves into trouble. Teachers were concerned about keeping track of what students were viewing on their monitors. How did we overcome this perceived obstacle? We taught our students procedures and expectations. We signed acceptable use contracts. We explained our expectations for proper computer usage. We hammered in the consequences of what would happen if someone decided to abuse this privilege. We did what good teachers do—[we were] aware of what was happening in our classrooms.

Cherona D. Hicklin Assistant Professor Joplin, Missouri, USA

Give Them Their Freedom

Every day in school, students must “ forget” about the information control and functionality their phones give them to browse, research, monitor, network, shop, and entertain. While they might view a photo just posted to Facebook from a friend’s mobile as the catalyst to a conversation, their teacher considers it a distraction from learning. But curating all their web content and interactions doesn’t teach them responsible use, it just sequesters them behind a firewall.

“Suspicion invites treachery.”—Voltaire Peter Pappas Educational Consultant Portland, Oregon, USA

You Can’t Cheat at Critical Thinking You can’t provide a 21st century education without using 21st century tools. When I first began my teaching career, I taught my students how to enter a three-line BASIC program to check their answers to their math problems. “How do you know the students aren’t going to cheat?” parents asked. “Well, that’s not the point,” I said. Through the use of this new piece of technology, all of my students had the opportunity to apply problem-solving skills, critical-thinking skills, collaboration skills, and self-assessment, leading to improved self-confidence and a lifelong love for learning. How do you cheat at that?