Recently, I’ve read some articles from folks opposed to BYOT/BYOD (Bring Your Own Technology/Device). In one blog post (The ISTE BYOD Debate) featuring a debate of topics format, Gary Stager discussed his thoughts on the BYOT/BYOD as a policy. In his post, he writes: “However, BYOD is bad policy that constrains student creativity, limits learning opportunities, and
leads to less support for public education in the future.” He goes on to site a variety of reasons for his disagreement such us inequity, the idea that cell phones are considered computers, a narrowing of the learning process, to an increase in teacher anxiety, and more.
Mr. Stager is missing the point of BYOT/BYOD and of technology integration in the classroom as a whole. First, let’s start with the equity issue. This is definitely a consideration and one that must be addressed. This can be done by simply having a classroom set of iPods, iPads, laptops, or other Internet accessible devices for those students without their own technology. There’s other alternatives, as well, such as collaborative work or booking a school’s computer lab. In our BYOT district, we employed all of these options and effectively dealt with the equity issue. To use this argument, we could also argue against the use of pencils or paper should be discouraged since some of the students do not have access to them. This is ridiculous, of course, and we should employ the same policy we do in those circumstances which is to ensure loaner technology is available.
The argument that BYOT/BYOD is an implication that cell phones are the same as computers is a narrow generalization and shows a real misunderstanding of BYOT/BYOD and technology integration. The focus should be on what the technology devices CAN do for the student when compared to what can be done if the student did not have access to them. As a very simple example, consider the student who is able to snap a picture on his device of the problem-solving steps for solving a algebraic equation. The student then has instant access to the steps and can reference them literally anywhere they can access their device. The student can then move into some hands-on experience using manipulatives in the class to improve their understanding of the concept. Without the device, the same student would likely copy down the notes, possibly making errors, spending considerable more time on the lower-level recording process, and taking away from the preferred hands-on experience with the manipulatives. Assuming the student is keeping these notes in a traditional notebook, they can be taken with the student but are not near as accessible or accurate as the snapshot of the process. The device and improve the student’s efficiency and organization in the class which can then allow more time for higher-level exploration and experimentation.
BYOT/BYOD is not the curriculum. Mr. Stager seems to imply that the device drives the possibilities in the classroom. Far from this idea, the device is simply a tool to SUPPORT the curriculum in the classroom. The device cannot limit the potential in the classroom and the possibilities that exist lie in the creative teaching methods of a dedicated teacher. This is another indication of confusion about what is means to integrate technology in the classroom. The focus is not about the tool used when integrating but on how the tool enhances learning for the student. Lessons must still be comprehensive and rich, exciting and interesting, purposeful and goal-oriented. However, now the lesson can be enriched with collaborative work through messages posted in Edmodo or by a Wiffiti backchannel discussion during class. A student who has an idea can look up additional resources on the Internet and access a global smorgasbord of knowledge. Or, the student can simply note the due date of an upcoming test and continue to focus on the class discussion knowing that this important date is in a secure and easily accessible location.
Teachers need support through this process. It’s important for schools to recognize the needs for the campus technology integration support specialist who can encourage, persuade, support, guide, and, yes, sometimes console them as they come to understand the realities of BYOT/BYOD and what that means for their classroom. However, teachers need this even if there is not BYOT/BYOD policy in place because our students need to be taught and supported using the very best of what we know. In today’s world, that means using technology as a support tool for learning. It’s my hope that Mr. Stager is not implying that any new initiative that strikes anxiety among teachers should be shot down. Instead, the approach is to listen and learn from the concerns and ensure that the initiative addresses them so that the students receive the best academic program available.
Carol Mortensen has nearly twenty-three years of educational experience. She began as a substitute teacher as she worked toward her degree. Upon graduation, Carol began teaching middle school Math and Algebra I and served as the technology liaison for her campus. She served as a teacher for 16 years and was lucky to have taught at Hillcrest Middle School, a 1:1 campus where every student was issued a laptop computer. She also worked as an Instructional Technology Trainer for her district providing training and technology integration support for campus and district staff, faculty and administrators. Currently, Carol enjoys her position as the Campus Technology Integration Specialist for Deer Park High School – South Campus. Before taking this position this year, she served for three years as the Campus Technology Integration Specialist at Fairmont Junior High in Deer Park Independent School District. In this position, Carol provides integration support and training to the students, staff, faculty, and administrators at the campus and district level. In addition, Carol is an online Math instructor for Aventa Learning and K12. The Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) named Carol the Classroom Teacher of the Year for her innovative and creative use of technology to create a 24/7 virtual classroom using her classroom website. Carol has presented at school districts throughout Texas as well as state and local conferences on a variety of technology integration topics. Her article on the use of websites as an instructional tool was recently published in the TechEdge Magazine. In February 2011, her article, Lessons Learning In a 1:1 Classroom, was published by TechEdge. The article was republished in ISTE’s Learning and Leading magazine in August 2011. She was named Fairmont Junior High’s Teacher of the Year for the 2011-2012 school year. Carol is passionate about the positive impact that technology has on student achievement. Her presentations are packed with real-life solutions, quality resources, and humor. She has an ability to connect with her audience and motivate them to take technology integration to a higher quality level.
Well said, Carol! I totally agree with you that schools need a technology integrationist.
I also like that you said, “the device is simply a tool” – in fact, I now refer to BYOT as Bring Your Own Tool. Sometimes a phone is the perfect tool, sometimes a laptop, and sometimes a pencil is the perfect tool.
Your readers are welcomed to join #BYOTchat every Thursday at 9PM ET to learn more about BYOT / BYOD in schools.
This is ludicrous. Kids sit there and take ten minutes to bring up their web testing site and choose the test, then during the test they are texting and tabbing over to the text info they took a pic of the night before to cheat. Not to mention that colleges do not let you test with technology in hand and this is teaching them to be way to dependent on that mode now…later they will be in trouble pulling their tablet and phone out in a testing situation. It’s a grand idea but in my class it is a nightmare.
BYOT/BYOD is to enhance learning, not for test-taking necessarily. Yes, I would use it for spot checks using Socrates or some other avenue, but it seems you are focused solely on the test-taking aspect. If employed properly, BYOT/BYOD integration can mean those students have mastered the material so they have no need to cheat as you describe. Surely, you would require all devices to be put away, picked up by the instructor, or parked on the desk in plain sight so you could monitor their use during any major test. That is simply good classroom management which is important with or without BYOT/BYOD. It sounds like you need more support as I stated in my response. But I would caution against disregarding the benefits of BYOT/BYOD for the positive impact it may have on learning simply because of a misunderstanding of use.