10.1 Blog Reflection

When starting this course I had a lot of previous knowledge about technology and its different uses in the classroom. Part of my philosophy of teaching is to look into new programs or applications and find out how I can use them in my classroom. Based on my few years working in schools I also had a good idea about the position of the technology integrator and what that person was responsible for. Also by taking the Integrating Digital Technology Part I before this course gave me a lot of knowledge entering into this course.

In this course I learned a lot about the generations and how much technology is really impacting schools today. I learned how to create and organize a technology plan to accomplish goals of a technology integrator. Technology policy is something that was new to me, where I was able to review and become familiar with how to write and implement it.  I also learned a lot through my field experience where I worked one-on-one with the technology integrator at my school and realized there is much more to the job than I had realized. My final piece of knowledge that I got from this course is to be an advocate for technology, there are many teachers who are overwhelmed by the technology. I want to work with them to feel more comfortable and want to incorporate it into their classroom.  “Adult learners need to be motivated by intrinsic rather than extrinsic rewards,” (Meltzer, 2012).    

As an educator I plan to involve technology into my classroom in effective and educational ways, not to just have it but to make a difference in the student learning experience. “Properly used, technology will help students acquire the skills they need to survive in a complex, highly technological knowledge-based economy,” (Edutopia, 2008). I also plan to converse frequently with the technology integrator in my school district to continue to learn about new and evolving technologies in education. I also am eager to volunteer for committees related to technology and policy to apply my knowledge in an effective way. It is important to continue learning and working with technology because it is ever changing and preparing students with future skills to be successful. A great way to continue this is by attending professional development trainings, continuing courses and playing with these tools in my spare time.

Resources:

Edutopia. (2008). Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction

Meltzer, S. (2012). Step-by-Step Professional Development in Technology. New York:

Eye on Education.

7-2 Blog: Bring Your Own Device

I believe that a Bringing Your Own Device (BYOD) policy in schools today would be highly successful, especially in middle and high school settings with students age 12 to 18. The benefits of having those devices would outweigh the possible consequences. Devices that would be able to be educationally used are smartphones, tablets, laptops, podcast players, PDAs, pocket PCs, tablet PCs, and the school would need to be open to the idea of new devices as they enter the market.  Within the policy there would be a need for clear expectations and rules that would be enforced by teachers and administration. Some of the expectations would include, respect for yours and others equipment, no use of personal sites (Facebook, twitter, email, instagram, etc.), devices can only be used for educational purposes, no texting or making a phone call/facetime. These are just some of the rules and expectations that would be enforced, as the policy continues parts could be added as the administration sees fit. Consequences would be given depending on the offense the student committed based on the rules and expectations. Many rules and expectations are already in place related to appropriate technology use in relation to devices that the school has to offer, there just need to be a slight adjustment that would be needed to apply it to BYOD.

“Educators in favor of BYOD feel that it promotes greater participation in the classroom” (Educational Technology, 2012). An advantage to students bringing their own device is they are already familiar with the use of the device; therefore they can focus on the learning of the topic rather than learning how to use the device. “On average, current students now use on a daily basis between 3 and 5 devices,” (Mareco, 2015). Another advantage would be many of the devices students would be bringing in are up-to-date and more advanced than what the school owns, making the completion of the task more fluid and successful, in addition to the cost savings. Learning outside the classroom would be more accessible because they have used their own device and will have that available at home.  

By having the students learn how to use their devices for learning, doing this respectfully and appropriately will prepare them for their future (Mareco, 2015). The device could also be used cross-curricular, this would allow students to be more organized, know where their notes are and passwords. Applications are more accessible through devices and are often times free. Bringing their own devices would allow for personalized learning therefore students would be able to excel at their own pace. As you can see there are many gains to having students be able to BYOD within schools.

To incorporate a BYOD policy into a school setting it is essential to offer professional development, whether it is on the policy or the technology that could be brought in. something that has worked for other districts is having “the technology director train teachers on using the devices and installed wireless networks, and teachers who had expertise with a particular device or technology hosted workshops to show other teachers how to use the device,” (Chadband, 2012). Adding this policy into a school would need the support of administration, teachers and the technology integrator. By having all staff on the same level it will allow for this to be  a successful initiative.

Works Cited:

Chadband, E. (2012). Should schools embrace BYOD?  Retrieved from

http://neatoday.org/2012/07/19/should-schools-embrace-bring-your-own-device/

Educational Technology. (2012). What is BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and Why Should

Teachers Care? Retrieved from http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/tech-ed/what-is-byod-bring-your-own-device-and-why-should-teachers-care/

Mareco, D. (2015). 1:1 or BYOD in Schools? Which is better for you.

Retrieved from http://www.securedgenetworks.com/strategy-blog/1-1-or-BYOD-in-Schools-Which-is-Better-for-You-Infographic