The fast growth of technological innovation has brought ample of opportunities to the world of education and learning. Some schools in the country have come up with revolutionary approach towards growing education by bending it with technology- they encourage the students to bring their electronic gadgets (BYOD). Let’s focus on what bring your own device (BYOD) is all about? What are the benefits it offers and what causes the schools to avoid implementing it.
Under the BYOD system, students are given the option to use their own smartphones, tablets or laptops to complete class projects or for accessing the learning resources while at school. The BYOD policy is introduced somewhere between 8th and 10th grade, although some schools allow only for the higher class students to bring their own device.
Schools typically have certain conducts concerning the use of electronics in the classroom. For example: At times Facebook and WhatsApp has been banned by government as they cause a lot of distraction. So under BYOD system, students may be required to sign in agreements restricting them to use the devices for certain times in the classroom. Those who fail are banned from the BYOD program either temporarily or permanently.
Pros: Advantages and benefits that BYOD system renders
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Enhances student participation
Students are comfortable using their own devices rather than a new or different device. As a result they are able to focus more easily on the lessons imparted to them. Kids today live for technology, so, it is sensible to utilise their love for technology in the classroom. Hence, BYOD has proven to be a boon in the current era fostering active participation among students.
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Learning becomes student driven
BYOD has changed the teaching model. Through the use of the technology, the students have the authority to their own learning. They can ask questions or do research rather than just listening to the lessons.
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Student collaboration and communication increases
Students nowadays are using technology to collaborate with their peers and mentors. This way, the initiative of BYOD helps the students to involve in projects, assignments, and content creation by interacting virtually.
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New way of learning adopted
By incorporating the mobile-based learning into the curriculum, it has helped the students to learn efficiently and has given them the ownership of their own education.
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Cost savings
As students are allowed to bring their own devices, it helps the school save money on technology costs.
Cons: Concerns regarding BYOD
Given the advantages of BYOD, the system has certain concerns which outweigh the benefits offered by the system. The major concern associated with the initiative is that if the students are allowed to bring their own devices to the classroom, it will lead to a lot of distraction amongst them.
Educators are also concerned with the issue of implementing the BYOD system that it would create division among students from high or low income families.
Not all students have their own devices. Some parents won’t approve their children using it or they may not have the budget.
It is difficult to enforce the students to bring or buy same device. Everyone has different devices with other codes, other browsers, and different ways of working. Hence, implementing the BYOD system will become troublesome.
However, despite oppositions raised, the practice of students bringing devices to schools continue to grow and prosper.