There’s no arguing the fact that technology is a part of everyday life for most of us. At work and at home, our phones and computers are never far from reach, and in most cases, they are valuable tools that enhance our quality of life. However, when it comes to the classroom, how does technology fit into the shifting direction of education?
One of the challenges facing schools today is not just changing curriculum to incorporate technology, but the inevitable end of the traditional computer lab. However, this is a unique opportunity for schools to implement a more personalized approach to education–this is where Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs come in.
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The idea is simple. Instead of schools providing students technology, each student is responsible for bringing their own device, whether it be a laptop, tablet or smartphone, for use in the classroom. In most cases, these are devices the student already owns, uses on a regular basis and is comfortable with. As such, they are able to use it as a tool in their personal learning faster than if they were having to learn how to use an entirely new device and operating system.
By welcoming personal technology into the classroom, it becomes the responsibility of the school to teach students how to use this technology in a productive way to build understanding and consider their digital footprint.
Photo Credit: Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School
One local school is embracing the global trend as we move forward with technology as an integral part of our society. Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School in Kelowna introduced a BYOD program for Grades 7-12 with the start of the school year. With students bringing their own devices into the classroom, the school is hoping to use them as a tool for continued learning beyond the classroom.
“We strive to be in control of technology and not have it control us,” said Derek Cutler, Director of IT & Learning at Aberdeen Hall. “The integration of technology is most effective when teachers and students are able to select the most appropriate technology tools for the task at hand to enhance and redefine the way that they learn, think critically, solve problems and communicate.”
Photo Credit: Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School
Both teaching and learning are becoming more social, and we’re seeing a shift in the traditional lesson structure. We are more connected than we have ever been, with even young students carrying around the power of the internet in their pockets. Educational institutions need to start including these tools, the ones students use in their everyday life and integrate them into the learning environment to teach students how to use this incredible technology to its fullest potential.
“It's naive to think that we can accurately predict which tools students need to be ready to work with in their future because these tools likely don’t exist yet,” Cutler added. “The best way we can support the learning goals of our students is to have them use the tools that best suit their own needs on a platform they are already engaged in the world with. In essence, it helps personalize their education.”
Photo Credit: Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School
There are some obvious concerns that come up with the implementation of a BYOD program. One of the main issues is the disadvantage of students from low-income families, and the construction of a “digital divide” as certain technology can be seen as a status symbol. Most schools will have devices available in such circumstances and will ensure each student is set up with a device that will help, not hinder, in their learning process.
The other major concern is the difficulty of fully monitoring activity on these devices, which could result in distraction in the classroom and cyberbullying. Of course, no BYOD program is advocating unmonitored and unrestricted use, but most will focus energy on the surrounding access points (ie: wifi networks) with security, rather than the devices themselves.
Photo Credit: Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School
The major focus of the introduction of a BYOD program into schools is not to replace traditional teaching methods, but to enhance the learning process. Increasing access to technology does not guarantee better results, and so integration must be done strategically and with purpose.
At Aberdeen Hall, the hope is to use technology to research, create and share information in a way that has not been possible with paper and pencils.
“Instead of exclusively listening to the teacher, students have learned to direct their own learning and even produce their own content,” Cutler explained. “We have set out our learning goals first, and from there have included technology as a tool to enhance teaching and learning.”
Overall, we are in the early stages of the integration of technology into the education system, and it will be exciting to see what could be possible in the years to come. With leaps in virtual reality and artificial intelligence, this may just be the beginning of what technology could look like in the classroom.
Aberdeen Hall is a non-profit, co-educational and non-denominational independent university prep school offering classes from Preschool to Grade 12. Aberdeen Hall fosters academic excellence in a progressive school environment which is safe and caring. Our school in Kelowna offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities and supports a strong sense of community. For more information, visit www.aberdeenhall.com.
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