What is BYOD and why is it important?

Chris Wiseman

Chris works for Capita Managed IT Solutions and is currently responsible for growing the UK education business. His breadth of experience and commercial knowledge of the education sector enables Chris to deliver solutions tailored to the individual needs of every customer.

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Given how important and useful digital devices have become in education, industry expert Chris Wiseman gives specific reasons why BYOD is so paramount.

As published in the September 2013 edition of our magazine.

Schools have and always will be faced with tough decisions when it comes to new technology: Which platform to purchase? What codes and practices to adopt?

Perhaps the most difficult choices come during the early phases of emerging trends, such as Bring Your own Device (BYOD), a mobile learning framework whereby students are allowed to use their own tablets or smartphones for educational purposes on the school network. It is not unusual for digital natives today to own multiple devices for different situations and activities. Smartphones, tablets, notebooks, laptops, and e-readers are all valuable learning tools for schools to tap into. Whilst most schools would like to be able to provide a device for every student, in reality it may be unfeasible, particularly in financially unstable times.

BYOD in action

Hugh Christie Technology College in Tonbridge, Kent is a specialist school with a reputation for ICT innovation and creativity. Business manager John Drinkwater explains the school’s reasons for adopting BYOD in 2011: “Our college has always remained at the forefront of adopting new technologies. For instance, we introduced 1:1 computing years ago throughout our college, but as budgets continued to be squeezed, we had to evaluate alternative options such as BYOD.”

He continues, “BYOD is currently available to all sixth form students, and allows them to access school resources and data on their personal mobile devices, both in college and at home. It has been highly beneficial for students, parents, teachers and of course the college itself.”

Providing a completely new element of freedom and flexibility that has not been experienced before, BYOD is viewed by sixth-form students as a rare opportunity. Drinkwater states, “In our area, we are one of the few schools offering BYOD, so parents and students view it as a bonus. As the students own the devices themselves, they assume responsibility and have great respect for their own property.”

Changing patterns

In the past, a clear divide has existed for students between school and home learning, as well as a different perception between school and home use of technology, particularly as personal mobile resources can be more up-to-date than those provided by schools. However, fuelled by the adoption of mobile technologies in the consumer market, the pre-existing divide is in decline.

Students are incredibly fluent with technology, and to reflect their use of mobile technologies in their leisure time, expectations in an education setting are swiftly changing. There is a shift to anytime, anywhere learning, and the portability of mobile devices supports this ethos.

Through improved engagement and motivation, BYOD could be the pivotal link between school and home learning. For instance, there are opportunities for creative exploration and to pursue interests and hobbies relating to subject matters introduced at school. In fact, as students begin to take ownership of their learning, it becomes an integral part of their life.

Involving the family

At Hugh Christie college there is a great emphasis placed on collaboration with parents, with a specialist group dedicated to this cause. “Parental engagement has a major influence on achievement and success. BYOD can help students and parents learn together, which is why we encourage it,” Mr Drinkwater explains.

The portability of mobile devices also helps with this. Students can easily learn with their parents, the majority of whom own similar technologies themselves, creating a degree of unity with minimal usability issues. In fact, children teaching their parents to use technology is a common scenario these days!

Although the BYOD approach is not yet available to all students, Hugh Christie college has found that BYOD encourages and motivates students. “In the future BYOD may be a viable option for more of our students, and we will certainly be considering the merits of taking BYOD a step further,” John states.

Perhaps one example of this is the school’s ‘Silver Surfers’ course, a highly acclaimed effort to educate the wider community with a free computer class for 55s and over. Instead of learning on an unfamiliar device, adult learners are invited to bring their own mobile devices into the college and gain guest access to the network.

A powerful concept

As well as providing an extension to their personal lives, the increasing adoption of BYOD in the commercial world means students are likely to use this approach in their working lives, making it an even more pertinent scheme for schools and colleges, preparing students for their future careers.

 

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