Technology trends come and go, but one educational technology trend that is hot at the moment is BYOD (or Bring Your Own Device).
Clearly the BYOD phenomenon in schools is not black and white or cut and dried.
The practice of BYOD by schools across Australia lies on a spectrum from little or no engagement with BYOD, to BYOD practices which result in sophisticated teaching and learning programs.
At the lower end of the spectrum students are bringing their own devices to school, but still some schools are demanding that students place these devices in bins at the front of the classroom to resist the temptation of texting, watching videos or playing games. These schools have not embraced the potential of these devices to make an instructional difference.
At the upper end of the spectrum things look very different. Here schools appreciate the enormous benefits of students using their own devices for learning – proven benefits such as increases in productivity, engagement and opportunities for personalized instruction to name a few.
To get to this point, schools operating at the upper end of the BYOD spectrum have had to overcome some well documented obstacles.
Firstly these schools have succeeded in gaining school leader, teacher and parent acceptance of the BYOD phenomenon, which is not an easy task.
They are managing the equity issues which inevitably arise. They have found a way for each child to have access to a device and have provided the connectivity to access resources from home.
Security for these schools is an issue but not an insurmountable obstacle. Through mobile device management and other ways of protecting and strengthening the school’s infrastructure, they have managed to calm some of the security fears about BYOD.
As BYOD programs gain momentum, schools save money on devices. Astute schools funnel any savings into growing the network capability and network expertise – ensuring the sustainability of these BYOD programs and the quality of student learning.
schoolstechOZ (Firbank Grammar School – 12, 13 and 14 September 2014)
The BYOD phenomenon is well and truly covered via a range of sessions and networking meetings throughout the three days of the conference at schoolstechOZ.
Delegates are encouraged to bring their own devices to the conference to engage more in the sessions, to connect via social media and participate in networking meetings, using the school’s wireless network.
Some of the sessions (based on mobile devices and BYOD) currently on offer are:
IWBNet has organized accommodation close to the school, Shuttle buses to make your attendance easier, great catering for the three days of the conference, a conference dinner (optional), fantastic keynote speakers, great sponsors and a very comprehensive networking program where delegates will be able to schedule meetings with like-minded delegates.
For a full overview go to http://goo.gl/xJKsiz
We hope to see you in Melbourne in September – a great place to be.
Clearly the BYOD phenomenon in schools is not black and white or cut and dried.
The practice of BYOD by schools across Australia lies on a spectrum from little or no engagement with BYOD, to BYOD practices which result in sophisticated teaching and learning programs.
At the lower end of the spectrum students are bringing their own devices to school, but still some schools are demanding that students place these devices in bins at the front of the classroom to resist the temptation of texting, watching videos or playing games. These schools have not embraced the potential of these devices to make an instructional difference.
At the upper end of the spectrum things look very different. Here schools appreciate the enormous benefits of students using their own devices for learning – proven benefits such as increases in productivity, engagement and opportunities for personalized instruction to name a few.
To get to this point, schools operating at the upper end of the BYOD spectrum have had to overcome some well documented obstacles.
Firstly these schools have succeeded in gaining school leader, teacher and parent acceptance of the BYOD phenomenon, which is not an easy task.
They are managing the equity issues which inevitably arise. They have found a way for each child to have access to a device and have provided the connectivity to access resources from home.
Security for these schools is an issue but not an insurmountable obstacle. Through mobile device management and other ways of protecting and strengthening the school’s infrastructure, they have managed to calm some of the security fears about BYOD.
As BYOD programs gain momentum, schools save money on devices. Astute schools funnel any savings into growing the network capability and network expertise – ensuring the sustainability of these BYOD programs and the quality of student learning.
schoolstechOZ (Firbank Grammar School – 12, 13 and 14 September 2014)
The BYOD phenomenon is well and truly covered via a range of sessions and networking meetings throughout the three days of the conference at schoolstechOZ.
Delegates are encouraged to bring their own devices to the conference to engage more in the sessions, to connect via social media and participate in networking meetings, using the school’s wireless network.
Some of the sessions (based on mobile devices and BYOD) currently on offer are:
- App development
- Classrooms Without Boundaries
- Engage, extend and evaluate with iPad Apps
- Engaging Digital Natives – their devices their web their way
- Google Apps in the classroom
- How to prepare and deliver a BYOD model (Part 1)
- How to prepare and deliver a BYOD model (Part 2)
- Improving your iPad program
- iPurpose before iPad
- iTunesU – Empowering students to take ownership of their learning in the 21st century
- Using Apps to maximize engagement in your Science class
- Fostering Creative and Critical Thinking with iPad Apps: Primary Literacy
- Games Programming
- Using iPads, QR Codes and Padlet to create Engaging, Collaborative Digital Learning Experiences
- BYOD – Really? (Keynote Address)
- Collaboration, Critique & Creativity with Google Apps
- iLearning
- Imagine, Inspire, Innovate (Part 1)
- Imagine, Inspire, Innovate (Part 2)
- iTunesU – Creating courses you can share with the world
- Technology: What’s around the corner?
- Using iPads for assessment (Part 1)
- Using iPads for assessment (Part 2)
- What’s a device anyway and how does it improve learning outcomes? (Part 1)
- What’s a device anyway and how does it improve learning outcomes? (Part 2)
- Assessment Apps and using them for planning and student feedback
- Google Apps: What, Why & How
- Leading The Way With iPS7 Apps
- There’s an App for that
- “Its Not the Tools – it’s the Teaching”
- Assessment Apps and using them for planning and student feedback
- BYOT – the REAL deal (Part 1)
- BYOT – the REAL deal (Part 2)
- Learning with iPads in the Early Years classroom (Part 1)
- Learning with iPads in the Early Years classroom (Part 2)
- Why a device is important! The 101 of 1:1
- Ingredients to a successful iPad program
- Letting Creativity Bloom With Free Apps
IWBNet has organized accommodation close to the school, Shuttle buses to make your attendance easier, great catering for the three days of the conference, a conference dinner (optional), fantastic keynote speakers, great sponsors and a very comprehensive networking program where delegates will be able to schedule meetings with like-minded delegates.
For a full overview go to http://goo.gl/xJKsiz
We hope to see you in Melbourne in September – a great place to be.
