Module 4 Assignment 7

Before watching the videos and looking at the powerpoint I was unsure of what BYOD was.  After watching the first video it brought up several good points about BYOD which is "bring your own device".  It pointed out how common place technology is in almost every aspect of our lives but yet at school it is a once in a while tool which doesn't add up.  It also pointed out that with BYOD each student will have to maintain their own device with updates and correct software which saves time and money for the SBO and RTIs.  Another important argument that the video brought up with the temptation with added technology for students not to pay attention to the lesson.  For me personally I think if you are using the technology appropriately students will be effectively engaged and not tempted to focus on other things.

Something I see a lot in my classroom is the high level of exposure to technology that all my students have.  Even at such a young age most only 6 or 7 they have been exposed to more technology than many adults and are comfortable and experienced using it.  I sometimes find it hard to keep my students attention without incorporating technology into a lesson.  They are so accustomed to the stimulation that comes from technology and without it they often quickly lose interest.  For me and my classroom this would be an advantage to BYOD to help keep students active and engaged in the learning process.

One downside that I see to the BYOD would be discrepancy in devices.  The students I teach tend to have a wide range of income including a large population of free/reduced lunch students.  It would be very hard for these parents to be able to provide a device for their student to bring to school, or possibly to provide a high quality device.  This could create a gap between students as far as what technology they would have access to and I can see this as a major downside to BYOD.