Student BYOD - is it worth it?

[techie08]

Hi Everyone

 

we are looking at possibly introducing BYOD for students (meaning upgrade of wireless, filtering and broadband) And i just wanted peoples opinion as to if its actually worth doing?

 

In my opinion is that for it to work, every student would have to have a device. If only half the class have one, then lessons cant be planned around the use of them?

 

I spoke to a school last week who said the uptake of students using the devices was very positive but after speaking to some parents who's children goes to that school, said a very different story. Hardly Any Y10 students use them, and one parents child (in Y7) said about half her class use one and even then its used as a calculator!!

The child said the main times they seem to used is at lunch and break times!

 

Anyone's input would be most grateful before i send out a brief questionnaire to our parents.

 

Thanks

[ass17]

We had a plan where we were going to go BYOD as part of long term ICT strategy. We planned/introduced in the following order:

 

100mb leased line

Smoothwall

Ruckus WiFi Network (includes network switching upgrades)

Firefly VLE

Introduce BYOD to year 7 as compulsary (so in five years all pupils will have mobile access)

 

Your VLE should be heart of you decision. It's your centralised platform for learning/homework etc.

[ass17]

In other words look and investigate into the "flipped classroom".

 

If this is something achievable, getting teachers onboard is harder than students, then it's worth the investment.

 

I wish I had the opportunity to be taught with technology back in the 90's.