We are so lucky to be living in a world that is so
technologically advanced. The
opportunities and learning potential for students far exceeds what was possible
as little as a decade ago. Today
students have the ability to learn 24x7. Students can connect online with other
students and share their work through Google Apps. With the implementation of class blogs,
students can participate in class discussions at any time. Learning is not confined by the boundaries of
the classroom walls. Learning, thanks to
technology, is everywhere all the time.
Why is technology in the classroom so important? Because it
is part of our everyday lives. Most
students today have access to a computer or other digital device at home. Most students have a smartphone which is an
information highway right at their fingertips.
By utilizing the tools that students have with them 24x7, we are able to
keep students engaged, while teaching them digital citizenship and problem
solving skills. We’ve talked about the
benefits of technology in the classroom throughout this course. The instant access to information, teaching
students skills they will need in the workforce, the ability to analyze data,
sort it, report it and present it. How to communicate with others through
digital media, and the great opportunity to connect with others globally.
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| https://connect.mybps.org/groups/bpsoiit/wiki/94213/Educational_Technology_Resources.html |
Many schools are embracing technology and initiating new
policies that allow students to bring their own devices to school. This idea opens up the opportunities for
students and teachers. For schools with
budgets that don’t allow one-to-one device ratios, teachers can still utilize
technology. With bring your own device
(BYOD) policies comes a lot of responsibilities. These responsibilities belong to the students,
teachers, administrators, staff and parents.
The administrators and staff have the responsibility of
making sure that networks are secure, have enough bandwidth and are accessible. The teachers and parents have to ensure
students understand and abide by the BYOD policies. Teachers also have the responsibility of
teaching digital citizenship and how to safely use the Internet. We talked about digital footprints earlier in
this course. It is crucial that students
learn about their own digital footprint early, and understand what it means to
them now and in the future. Students
have the responsibility of using the devices responsibly, and treating others
with respect when communicating. This is
the tip of the iceberg, but the foundation on which to build the BYOD policy.
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| https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ |
There are many benefits to implementing a BYOD policy. Integrating technology into the classroom
gets a little easier if everyone has their own device. For those students who don’t have a device,
it frees up other school resources for those students to use. Students without their own device can take one
home to use, allowing teachers to implement the flipped classroom method of
teaching. This method allows students to
watch the lectures on video at home and apply what they learned in the
classroom (Olah, 2014). Teachers will have more time to interact with
the students on projects and homework assignments. Students learn more and make
connections when applying what they have read about or discussed. When they take the application piece (aka
homework) home with them, they may or may not do it. When given the opportunity to do it during
class time, along with their peers and the teacher, they will get more out of
it. The ability to ask questions about
it immediately, instead of waiting until the next day is beneficial.
Along with BYOD policies, schools are also allowing students
to take courses online to count towards the number of credits required for
graduation. Online schools are great for
student athletes who miss classes for games, or students who are falling behind
and need additional help. In some cases,
students may have an illness that will keep them out of school for extended
periods of time. With online classes,
those students don’t have to miss their classes and can keep up with work to
rejoin their class when they are better. Online classes can offer students more options
in regards to foreign languages, advanced placement and other classes that aren’t
part of a school’s curriculum. Online
tutoring is also available to help students.
When proposing new technology or new technology ideas, such
as the BYOD programs, all of the benefits should be shown up front. Although there are always challenges, those
have to be looked at an assessed next to the advantages. Many of the advantages far outweigh the
challenges. For each challenge, a
proposal on how to meet that challenge or eliminate an obstacle should be
noted. Once administrators see the
benefits, and the possible resolutions to issues up front, the ideas look less
daunting and more reasonable to implement.
Technology is here to stay!
Let’s embrace it and use it to the best of our abilities!
Sources:
Olah, D. (2014). Moduel 10: The Educational Technology
Landscape. Retrieved from SNHU:
https://bb.snhu.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2490217-dt-content-rid-4665348_1/courses/EDU-642-14TW3-MASTER/EDU-642-14TW2-MASTER_ImportedContent_20131105031557/EDU-642-
