Unlike past generations, these young students in schools are digital natives. The need to have technology constantly with them is ever-present. As our society becomes more digitally addicted, BYOD (bring your own device) becomes increasingly popular. Whether it’s wanted or not, waves of new devices will enter a school’s wireless network every year. Education is changing, now it is up to the schools on whether to embrace the digital shift or not.
A BYOD policy can be great if it’s well-planned. There are plenty of benefits to BYOD solutions as long as they are handled properly. Here are 10 we think schools will benefit from.
1. Workforce Ready Students
Mobile devices can truly be used for anything. Whether it’s opening your garage door to monitoring your heart rate, we use the small super-computers constantly. Students today will most-likely be using their Smartphones in their future careers, so teaching them with the tools they’ll be using in the future can be great. It gives teachers the opportunity to show them how to use their mobile devices in a respectful/appropriate way as adults. Preparing children for their future is the goal of school!
2. Easy Collaboration
With BYOD wireless networks, connecting with the whole class has never been easier. Students can easily collaborate with other students or even with other schools. Collaboration is key to engagement in today’s classrooms.
3. Learning Beyond the Classroom
When students leave the classrooms, they go straight to their phones and tablets, so using it to a school’s advantage is greatly beneficial. Letting them use these devices in the classroom means that even when they are home they will have their homework, projects, books, and educational games all at their fingertips for constant learning. A whole classroom can now be at the touch of a button.
4. Personalized Instruction
It can be hard for teachers to meet each students specific learning needs. With smart devices, they can personalize education for those who need it. This can be beneficial for anyone who needs to learn and excel at their own pace.
5. Saving Costs
BYOD is all about bringing education to new heights, schools saving money with the policies isn’t a bad addition. Saving money on technology costs lets money go to other parts of the school which need them more. Having the BYOD policy cuts the technology spending and constant upgrading drastically.
6. Gaming
Educational video games have been increasing in production value in the past few years, and now parents are getting onboard with using video games to teach. If a student wants to learn something, there’s an app for it. The iTunes App Store even has an entire section on Educational Apps.
7. Interactive Education
BYOD can make learning more fun and interactive than it has ever been. Students can interact with other students and teachers from across the world, go on virtual tours of historic sites, and create digital scavenger hunts. There are endless possibilities, all with the kids’ approvals.
8. Increased Engagement
Children now live on technology. Using what children love to learn and making it accessible and interesting to all children is the best way to get them engaged.
9. The Student Becomes The Teacher
BYOD changes the teaching model as we know it. Students now have more understanding of their own devices, and with that have more control over their own learning. The students can show the teachers how the newest technology works, while also posing questions and doing their own research instead of only listening to a lecture.
10. eBooks
In the world outside of school, technology and information are constantly shifting. By the time textbooks reach the classroom, good portions are already out of date. With BYOD, it allows students to have updated information through eBooks and digital textbooks. Digital textbooks also offer interactive aspects and external links for more learning. Plus, they’re easy to carry around and pick up anywhere.
There’s a reason that BYOD is picking up in schools. It provides endless opportunities to enhance the education of young people across the country.