Eighth graders Rico Froehlich, Abbey Walter and Caleb Knapp (left to right) participated in trials for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) by completing presentations about suspension bridges on their own technology equipment.
Technology Integrator Kim Moran, the computer guru of Scotts Ridge Middle School and East Ridge Middle School, can’t wait for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to come to the middle schools. “The school district is moving with the Digital Age,” she says, “and that is a very positive thing.”
A “device” is portable electronic technology — laptops, netbooks, tablets — with wireless Internet access. A device has word processing capability, storage capacity, sound recording and a host of other features depending upon the apparatus. It might belong to the student or be provided by the school.
In anticipation of BYOD soon becoming the middle school standard, pilot studies using district-supplied Chromebooks and student’s own devices were conducted this year in seventh and eighth grade science classes at Scotts Ridge. The goal of the trials was to gauge teacher and student response to using devices for research projects and presentations. Using web resources, eighth grade physical science students prepared presentations about suspension bridges, and seventh grade life science students made stop-motion animation videos about cell production.
Ms. Moran reports that the students were “engaged and collaborating. Kids love video. They love animation and sound. They like recording and taking pictures. What they learned is that there are many ways to accomplish a goal and they can work with what they find interesting. There is a learning curve but, when it comes to computers, kids jump right in! One of the things we know from the trials is that phones, or phone-sized screens, are not as effective. The tablet-sized screen or larger is more suited to the work students do.”
Most teachers, according to Ms. Moran, anticipate introducing devices for research projects first, but the uses will go far beyond. “I love bringing this technology to the teachers and showing them new things. There are cool things happening. The idea is to go to the teachers, tell them what is available, and ask if they think it can enhance their curriculum,” says Ms. Moran.
When homework, project instructions or class notes are posted on a SmartBoard or white board in a classroom, students can use a device to take a photograph of the posted material. While the process of taking notes won’t disappear, the photograph in lieu of or in addition to notes can be an added safety assurance for any student and a significant aid to students with learning disabilities. There are Educational Applications (Apps) for all disciplines and skill sets, and opportunities for differentiated learning will increase substantially. Common Core standardized testing is expected to be device-friendly as well.
When the middle school technology rollout comes, it will come with guidelines for students and for parents who are concerned about equipment care and safety. It is understood that not every student will have a device, but all students will have access to technology. This year’s trials involved groups sharing computers. “Of course, we’ll roll this out with ‘professional development’ for kids and parents too, just like we do for teachers,” says Ms. Moran. “We’ll cover everything from charging your devices to taking care of them, to technology safety and sharing of information.”
The school district’s Acceptable Technology Use Policy and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Protocol for the Use of Technology in the Schools can be viewed at www.policy.cabe.org/ridgefield.
Written by Alison Smolin of Scotts Ridge Middle School