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Digitally Aided Education, Using the Students’ Own Electronic Gear. Source: NYT.com By: Matt Richtel Published: March 22 nd , 2013 http:// www.nytimes.com /2013/03/23/technology/ in-some-schools-students-bring-their-own-technology.html?ref = technology&_r =0.
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Digitally Aided Education, Using the Students’ Own Electronic Gear Source: NYT.com By: Matt Richtel Published: March 22nd, 2013 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/23/technology/in-some-schools-students-bring-their-own-technology.html?ref=technology&_r=0
Bring Your Own Technology (B.Y.O.T.) • B.Y.O.T. is a new trend emerging on the education scene. • Allows students to bring their own technology (Laptops, iPads, iPods, etc.) to school, as opposed to the schools providing it. • Schools believe it is necessary to, “take advantage of, rather than fight, students’ deep connections with their devices.”
Meet Dana • Dana Zacharko is a fifth-grade teacher at Woodward Avenue Elementary school in Florida. • She embraces B.Y.O.T. The most common devices children bring in all have apps that she can utilize in her teaching. • Technology allows Dana to conduct lessons over an online forum.
How Does it Change Education? • Puts more emphasis on material than technology. • Schools can use extra funds for other endeavors. • Reduces chance for technical issues. • More diverse instruction, as different operating systems have different apps. • Provides more options to disabled students.
Highlights • Schools will not have to spend nearly as much on technology. • Students are familiar and comfortable using own devices. • Diverse options for applications. • Easy to bring school work to and from the home. • Allows for customization. • Students more engaged with the technology.
Pitfalls • “…no evidence that a classroom full of students using different personal devices would enhance learning.” • Possibility of teachers planning curriculums around different platforms of technology. Might distract from material. • Possibility of students not having their own personal technology. • Students can become distracted with games, personal apps, etc.
My Opinion • I believe that it is a good thing for students to bring in their own technology. • I feel as if I would be immersed in learning with technology if I had my laptop present in high school. • Although schools will look forward to having more money, they should continue to purchase technology for those that do not have it. • Teachers now need to supervise more closely to make sure students are focused on the material. • Teachers need to be aware that not all apps can be used on all operating systems.
Discussion Questions • Do you think B.Y.O.T. would be effective in schools today? • Do you think your high school experience would have been better if you had the option to B.Y.O.T.? • As technology advances, how do you see teachers adapting to the possible inequality to students’ personal technologies in the classroom?