EDC 340 - BYOD

     Technology is one of the most instrumental factors for a child’s education. Going into special education, it is vital that my students receive as many accommodations suited to their individual needs. The article, Why Every Student Should Be In a 1:1 Classroom, by Kelly Walsh discusses some of the benefits of a one-to-one classroom. The author states, “1:1 technology allows teachers to differentiate both in terms of how they teach and how the students are expected to demonstrate their learning” (Walsh). This statement exemplifies that one-to-one gives the teacher a chance to accommodate each student. Before the advancements in technology, teachers were left to lecture the entire class. As a result, this made it difficult for students to learn at their own pace. This can affect the learning process because not every student can learn at the same pace. Some pick up on material quickly, while others process it more slowly. In the article, I read that 1:1 technology can differentiate content through videos. One of my educational beliefs is that as a teacher, I see myself as a facilitator, which encompasses the idea of differentiated instruction. Using videos will allow students to move through content at their own speed or if some prefer to learn visually. 

    In this article, the author presents that one-to-one technology ensures that assignments can be individualized using adaptive technology. Another example that is brought up is a commonly used math site, IXL. This site gives students the opportunity to practice a wide variety of problems geared towards a specific topic and grade level. As a former high school student, I was required to use IXL for some of my math classes. I did not favor it too much since it would set you back every time you answered a question wrong. But it pushed me to complete the answer thoroughly before submitting it instead of rushing through it. This instructional technology offers so much more variety for teaching material; it provides alternative sources that students can use that are not limited to just a few.

    The second article, 20 Pros and Cons of Implementing BYOD in Schools, by Danny Mareco, discusses the positive and negative effects of bringing your own device (BYOD). The author explains BYOD with the following statement, “BYOD is where you allow your students and staff to use personal mobile devices on your school wireless network” (Mareco). This could lead to many successful or problematic outcomes. Which also depends on the type of environment you are teaching in or what age group you are teaching. Since I am going into special education, BYOD might be difficult to implement. It could cause a distraction for students who already struggle to pay attention, or students with severe exceptionalities might need assistance to operate their device. I agree with some of the pros listed in the article; students are already familiar with the technology, cost-effective, unlimited access to information, apps connect teachers with students, and students can learn at their own pace. These are all important in the classroom because as we progress with technology, students will need to know how to use it to their full potential.

    There are cons listed in the article that I also agree with; easier to cheat, becomes a status symbol, distraction, and applications may not be universal. All of these aspects are something to take into consideration. One of the cons that bring up the most hesitation is the status symbol because it can create a divide between students. Some students can afford the best name-brand technology, while others cannot afford the cheapest technology. This could cause some students to feel ostracized from their peers. In conclusion, BYOD is something that could be useful in the classrooms. If possible, the best way to implement this is to give students a choice for BYOD while still providing school Chromebooks for students unable to have that option.