Transcript BYOT - Smoky Hill

Bring Your Own
Technology
Jeff Bates and Daryl Moore
Beloit Jr.-Sr. High School
Beloit, KS
Some Excerpts from “Gadgets Go
To Class” (TIME Aug. 27, 2012)
Even though somewhere around 80% of 8th
graders own cell phones, more than half of
schools prohibit the use of mobile devices.
Even a first-generation I-Phone is more
powerful than some schools’ ancient desktop
computers.
To many parents who use a cell phone to
juggle the obligations of work and family,
school bans on phones can seem ridiculous.
TIME excerpts (continued)
Putting a new laptop on every desktop can
cost hundreds of dollars per student…..
…So, tapping into the technology that students
already have seems like a no-brainer.
Why can’t schools turn those devices into
learning tools?
TIME excerpts (continued)
A small but growing number of schools have
developed BYOT policies that allow students
not only to take their mobile devices to school
but also to access school networks.
So why talk about BYOT here?
Because our focus in CTE is preparing
students for the world of work…..and the world
of work includes the use of wireless devices as
an integral part of many careers.
Our focus is also on providing as many tools
as we can that imitate the workplace. Why buy
more tools when students have one of them
right there in their pockets?
Pilot Program:
We did a pilot program with our Juniors and
Seniors in the spring of 2012 at Beloit Jr.-Sr.
High School (3A school with a 7-12 building)
Focused largely in our social studies classes
and business classroom (that does not have a
computer for every student)
Based on the results of the pilot, staff decided
to now allow it for grades 9-12
How Does BYOT Work in Our
School?
Teachers set and post individual rules for the
use of BYOT in their classes
Teachers determine when it is appropriate for
students to use them in the classroom
Wireless devices are allowed during passing
periods and lunch
Not allowed to be used in locker rooms or
restrooms; not allowed by 7th-8th graders
What issues must be considered?
Bandwidth – We went from 4.5mb of a T1 line
to 10 mb of a dedicated fiber line last year
During this school year, we have increased it
again to 20 mb
Some educational programs (i.e. Compass)
require a huge amount of bandwidth
Access Points – Need “Managed Access
Points” – we changed ours out with Arruba 105
Instance ones (about $500 each rather than
typical $40 ones)
Issues?
Networks – How many do you have and how many
can you afford? We have a separate wi-fi hotspot set
up in the building much like this hotel or a coffee
shop…….with Internet running through the same filter
as our regular school network
Filtering – Can it manage different types of networks?
Filters don’t work when students use cell phones and
get service from their provider rather than our wi-fi.
Courts still haven’t determined if Children’s Internet
Protection Act covers student-owned devices in
schools
Unfounded Fears
Consistency of teachers’ rules and flexibility –
each teacher has different rules and
expectations; students have adapted easily
Increased tardies or students hiding out to text
– no evidence of this
Lost or stolen technology – has not been an
issue
Unfounded Fears
Teachers feeling that they have to know and
run all different types of technology – Most use
focuses on Internet access, calculator use, etc.
It doesn’t matter if students are using an Ipod
or a phone – they have a tool to use.
Increase in “Cyber bullying” – only one more
case this past semester than the semester
before.
Personal Observations:
Students adding apps to their devices for
academic purposes, such as tracking their
stocks for The Stock Market Game.
Access to search engines anytime….keeps
students engaged.
Even had a time when our computer network
wouldn’t allow a student to set up an account
on MyBigCampus for some reason…..so he
did it on his phone instead.
Disadvantages:
Not all students have the same technology –
can minimize this by partnering students at
times
Opportunity for “cyber bullying”…..more
access to a device naturally means more
opportunity
Requires more vigilance by teachers and staff
Final thoughts:
Students’ wireless devices are just tools – they
are great for finding information
Common Core will develop more Problem
Solving skills in students – and there isn’t an
App for that.
Questions?
Our contact info:
 Jeff Bates
 Business Teacher/CTE
Coordinator
 Beloit Jr.-Sr. High School
 1711 N. Walnut
 Beloit, KS 67420
 785-738-3593
 [email protected]