Life of Di(ana): The Eight Traits of Highly Effective BYOT Programs

One to one device programs are education’s response to the reality that students’ cognitive mapping resembles an intersecting highway rather than a linear table of contents. Now that these programs are proving positive, more schools seek to make technology a part of the pedagogy. However, when cost is calculated, school supplied one to one programs can be financially unachievable in the midst of an economy that demands more for less money.

This is when the solution of a BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) is considered as it provides the student engagement while leveraging the cost of devices and maintenance. At the foundation of each BYOT program is a solid foundation of multi-layered planning.

Do your homework Starting research with a survey that focuses on community interest, concerns can demonstrate the school’s understanding of critical investment by the parent community. The 2010 Speak Up Survey showed that almost seventy percent of parents, students grades 6-12, would buy their child a mobile device if the purchase resulted in the increased use of eBooks by schools. Knowing parent financial availability to purchase a device can aide in forming a solid fiscal plan for a BYOT initiative.

Choose your sample Sample populations, or pilot programs, have been used in successful BYOT programs, such as Forest Hills Schools in Ohio and Harvest Park Middle School in San Francisco, California. Pilot programs allow a school to predict what could happen with larger numbers in terms of policies that need to be written, device issues and network solutions. When choosing a sample population, it is ideal if the population can be split into a control and experimental group to allow for comparisons.

Financial Challenges When Saline Michigan Superintendent, Scott Graden, decided to start researching a BYOT program he knew that all of his students would not have the financial means to participate. Solutions to this hurdle will vary on the community needs. Outreach to local banks and lending institutions that parents can turn to for assistance. Some schools have opted to have rental devices or base devices available to students as needed.

Technical issues One of the hesitations with a BYOT program is the potential for a range of devices being brought in by the students. Working in the cloud can remedy the playing field, such as using Google Applications. At the forefront of the network oriented mind, is keeping confidential school files safe on the network. The solution for IT directors has been to split an existing network, giving students access to the internet. Schools have also had to improve their infrastructure with increased wireless outlets and speed.

Creating the Mind Shift Infusing technology can result in more student centered and transform into problem and project based. For some educators this will happen naturally and often the students will guide the classroom there on their own. For others, support and training will be needed on the constructivist classroom that can result in other models such as the flipped classroom.

The community will need your assistance with the mind shift too. They only know mobile learning in the context of social texting and web browsing. Carry Harrod, in Forest Hills Ohio, leads a series of informational sessions for her parents. One focuses on how the devices will be used in the classroom and how applications are used to enhance the curriculum.

Push in, not away It would be ideal if every teacher climbed on board of the changes that happen in a one to one device program. You are smarter than this, and realize there will be teachers who channel unease of technology into the form of resistance that is ultimately taken out on the students. This is when you, as the leader, take the time to notice the teacher for their practices that highlight them as a professional. You take these gifts and show them the technology tools that can enhance their gifts even more. You offer to co-teach one of their classes for a day and then immediately stop them for reflection. This teacher needs more push-in follow through with professional development and needs to know you are there to guide and praise. The reluctant teachers are offered an afternoon to observe their colleague who integrates technology well, but not so supreme that it leads to intimidation and hesitation. When this reluctant teacher has begun to really know a tool, let them hear the feedback of praise and reward them with becoming a mentor to others. What better person to teach other reluctant teachers than a prior one?

Legal Ease? When developing a BYOT program an important person to include is your legal council. In addition, teachers should be consulted as well as shared parent concerns. Developing an appropriate expected (or acceptable) user policy is at the foundation of your program. More states are implementing strong bullying laws, these laws and more avid use of technology needs to be recognized when adapting your AUP. All angles need to be thought of such whether or not teachers have the authority to take a student owned device if it is used appropriately. Included in these revisions, should be attention to loss, theft or damage to student owned devices while on school property and/or school provided functions. Again, the sample population is an opportunity for school administration to use and then revise the modified AUP for the initiative.

Follow the leaders Luckily, there is a brief menu of schools to use as models. Organizations such as CoSN and ISTE are creating resources for schools as the numbers of these initiatives grow.Here are a gathered list of resources:

“Don’t be scared of “bring your own device”, Mark Brumley

Bring your own device' catching on in schools, eSchool News

The Impact of Student Laptop Use on Achievement, a formal study

Bring Your Own Technology, THE Journal

Wolf Creek Public Schools Embraces BYOD, Puts Pedagogy First, Converge Magazine

The New One to One, School CIO.com