Please Bring Your Own Device...Sometimes

I think many schools struggle with mobile devices in school. They could be used inappropriately, they could crowd the school’s network, or maybe they could be broken/used by another student and possibly become the school’s responsibility. There are so many variables that many schools just say no to personal devices. While these concerns are valid, I believe that the devices should be permitted in school. There should be rules and regulations as needed, but we should allow students the opportunity to use their own devices in the classroom because these are what they are using outside of the classroom. Occasionally in class I will have students use Twitter as part of an assignment. Students find it easier to use the app on their phone. They are not permitted on the school wi-fi with their phones so if they choose to use their own data while working on a school project I think they should be allowed. Students also need to submit to time and place regulations with their phones. For example, walking and using phones is not a good idea. I think this would be a good place to bring students into the conversation. If they are helping to set the guidelines for personal device use they may be more inclined to follow the rules. While I do support students using their personal devices in school I do not support BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). I think there are more negatives than positives. What one student can afford compared to another is a huge factor. Also, if some purchases their own device they can do whatever they want on it. This means that students will have access to things on their device that they may not on a school issued device. At my school, all students have an iPad with no access to the App Store—they cannot put any apps on the device. A personal device could become overloaded with whatever the student (or their family) want to put on it. This could limit space for school projects. Apps and their availability can vary between types of devices. This could interfere with a teacher’s plans. In my opinion BYOD is the same as if a teacher said bring your own book. All the books may be about World War II but there is no guarantee about what will be covered, how accurate the book will be, and if the book will be at grade level. This is not an effective way to teach a class.