Overview:

Learning is ubiquitous - it takes place in both formal (schools) and informal (outside of schools) situations (Gikas and Grant, 2013, p.19). Learners can leverage available technology to support their learning (Looi, 2018, p. v). Many K-12 schools are entertaining the thought of implementing BOYD - Bring Your Own Device, and some schools are piloting BOYD programs. Many students have access to their devices, such as laptops and tablets at home, and schools can encourage students to bring these devices to use for educational purposes. What if students do not have a personal device available to them? Typically, schools can provide their school-owned technology (provided by the School Districts or purchased through PAC funds), and this may allow students to have greater access to technology in their classrooms.

Rationale:

More students appear to have access to mobile devices. From Alberta's Ministry of Education document (2012), "Over the last few years, laptops and handheld mobile devices have become affordable and provide users with 24/7 access to ideas, resources, people and communities" (p.3). Other studies from different jurisdictions seem to validate this trend. Graham and Gillies (2016) say 90% of 16 to 24-year-olds own a smartphone in the UK, and over 50% of households have access to a tablet computer (p. 2). Students carry these devices with them as they are easily transportable (either in their pockets or bags).

Examples

Teachers have taken a group of students outside to learn about the natural ecosystem using an app such as iNaturalist on mobile devices. Using their own devices, students can save, update, share their learning (both formal and informal) more readily.

Many School Districts offer Microsoft Office 365 for teachers and students to download and use for their devices. It allows teachers and students to use programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Teams to collaborate and share their learning. It often includes cloud-based file storage and can be accessed on multiple devices.

Challenges:

There are significant challenges with BYOD. Many BYOD policies emphasize that the personal devices "that the use of personal devices at school is to be 'exclusively educational'" (Wishart, 2018, p.89). However, many BYOD experiences are contrary to the policies. Students are tempted by other 'distracting' applications such as social media, video and entertainment apps (Anshari et al., 2017, p.3075).

What about personal privacy? Many jurisdictions have Protection of Privacy laws and School Districts, and teachers have the responsibility to ensure that the students' data are protected. It is near impossible for the teachers to ensure that the data are not breached when students are bringing and using their own devices.

Moreover, how can teachers/students and schools manage a variety of devices? It is highly likely that there will be multiple operating systems (Apple/Mac, Android, Microsoft) and attempting to troubleshoot or find universal apps will be challenging for users.

Conclusion:

Should we embrace BYOD in our schools? The growing trend of more access to mobile technology appears to indicate that it may only be a matter of time. There are still significant challenges, and it is imperative to find solutions to these issues before the BYOD policies are implemented in schools.

References:

Alberta Education (2012). Bring Your Own Device: A Guide for Schools. Retrieved from https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/5821955f-5809-4768-9fc8-3b81b78257f7/resource/631bf34c-d3e6-4648-ab77-2b36727dca0b/download/5783885-2012-07-Bring-your-own-device-a-guide-for-schools.pdf

Anshari, M., Almunawar, M. N., Shahrill, M., Wicaksono, D. K., & Huda, M. (2017). Smartphones usage in the classrooms: Learning aid or interference? Education and Information Technologies, 22(6), 3063-3079. doi:10.1007/s10639-017-9572-7

Gikas, J., & Grant, M. M. (2013). Mobile computing devices in higher education: Student perspectives on learning with cellphones, smartphones & social media. The Internet and Higher Education, 19, 18-26. doi:10.1016/j.iheduc.2013.06.002

Looi, C. K (2018). Foreword in S. Yu, M, Ally, and A. Tsinakos (Eds), Mobile and ubiquitous learning: An International Handbook (pp.i-xiv). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6144-8

Wishart, J (2018) Ethical Considerations in the Incorporation of Mobile and Ubiquitous Technologies into Teaching and Learning in Educational Contexts in S. Yu, M, Ally, and A. Tsinakos (Eds), Mobile and ubiquitous learning: An International Handbook (pp.81-93). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6144-8