Byod in Schools could offer new horizons apparent to the students where they are choosing their paths. BYOD could be pivotal in supporting independent learning. On average BYOD can help keep pace with ever updating tech. BYOD in schools can be effective because.
- Offers potential cost savings since fewer school devices are needed.
- BYOD in schools provides opportunity for teaching respectful/ appropriate use.
- Usage of BYOD in schools is seen as a privilege & students stay on task.
- Students MORE likely to remember devices than pencils etc which reduce the expenditure on Stationary.
- Allows student & teacher to swap roles which offers learning opportunities.
- Can use the device students have chosen.
- BYOD in school offers a way of delivering e-books replacing the existing paper texts.
As schools throughout the UK struggle to keep up with the costs of digital learning technologies many are initiating their own Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programmes, encouraging students to bring their own tablet, laptop or smartphone device with them into class. Generally speaking, there are three main reasons why a school would adopt a pros and cons of BYOD in schools scheme:
- Student Familiarity
- Bridge between formal and informal learning
- Cost Savings.
Budgetary constraints are an unfortunate but realistic limitation for schools struggling to keep up with the pace of technology. A BYOD and Schools programme can often support a school's ICT system and in many cases expand on it with a greater range of applications and software tools being made available. BYOD can therefore enable a school to continue along a digital path without being constrained by funding gaps. And while many young people are literate across devices and operating systems, the familarity of using their own devices can save valuable set up time and help students focus on learning rather than up-skilling themselves on the use of a new device.
The risks in this programme are:-
- Increased concerns about personal data protection, confidentiality and privacy.
- Network Security- this becomes a greater concern when multiple devices are logging int o a LAN.
- BYOD programmes need to be supported by a comprehensive security plan to ensure viruses are not being released onto the school's system.
- Inequalities- encouraging students to bring in their own device mirrors the debate over uniform.vs students wearing their own clothes.
BYOD is becoming increasingly prominent in the UK, for schools in the USA, BYOD schemes have been crticised for their tendency to intensify the'already significant divide between students from high and lower income families.