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BYOD and the Paperless Classroom

Posted by Unknown Rabu, 20 November 2013 0 komentar

At New Milford High School teachers are adapting their professional practice as we continue to evolve into a Bring Your Own Device school where student-owned technology integrated effectively. NMHS teachers are also beginning to to integrate social media tools that are blocked and banned in the majority of schools across the country. Ms. Smith’s science class has gone paperless. Students complete assignments whether it’s homework, class work, projects and tests all online using various websites, such as, Edmodo, Tumblr and Instagram on their BYOD devices. They also use their smart phones, iPads, iPods and digital cameras to take notes or to capture information. All pictures, notes and assignments are posted on the websites, e-mailed or placed on their private homework blogs. This has led to more student engagement, accountability and participation in the classroom, peer reviews and instant feedback to the students on how they are progressing.

Image credit: http://www.packwomantech.com/byod-pros-and-cons.html

In Chemistry, Marine Biology and Bioethics Studies, every week each student makes two reflective and analytical posts on their blogs (Tumblr, Wordpress, Blogger, Pinterest or Weebly) exploring what has been happening globally or locally, either on TV or the Internet, and then making connections to what they have been learning in class. They are taking charge of what they want to learn about and are interested in science. Some examples of their blogs can be found at the following links:

Students also used Instagram as a communication tool (like texting) as a way to give feedback, make comments and to reflect on what they have been learning. This works extremely well in Bioethical Studies, where some students may be reluctant and shy to express their opinions. One topic had 143 comments in the forty-eight minute period. Using Instagram allowed everyone to have a voice and be heard. They have also used Instagram/Webstagram to send short video when Ms. Smith has been absent to show they have been engaged, completing their work, and staying on task. Make sure you follow Ms. Smith on Twitter.

What tools and techniques are you using to go paperless in your classroom and/or school?

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BYOD Begins With Trust and Respect

Posted by Unknown Rabu, 11 September 2013 0 komentar

I have written extensively over the past couple of years about our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative at New Milford High School at the Huffington Post and on my own blog. It has been interesting to look back at all my blog posts to see how far we have come with BYOD at NMHS. My first ever post on the topic just provided a small glimpse at the possibilities inherent when students are empowered to use the technology that they already posses to enhance their learning experience.

Image credit: http://www.securedgenetworks.com/secure-edge-networks-blog/bid/81148/4-Myths-of-BYOD-on-Enterprise-Wireless-Networks-Debunked

It was our desire and quest to create a school culture and learning environments that were more reminiscent of the real world that our learners would soon be a part of that drove change in this area. When I reflect upon how the program has evolved into it's current state I cannot help but to think about the most important change that was made recently. It was during the summer that Ron Watson, the NM District IT Director, and I met to discuss the future of BYOD at NMHS. Up until this point we had students sign off on a paper guideline sheet after which I created a username and password for them to access the secure guest network. This information was then passed on to Ron and each student that filled out the form was granted access. There is no doubt in my mind that this process limited the amount of students who opted to bring their own mobile learning devices to school. I can't thank Ron enough for putting students first! Speaking of Ron, he just informed me that we had 460 unique devices connect to our guest Internet network yesterday (535 for the week) at my school. This is fairly significant as we only have 650 students and 53 staff members. Take a look at the traffic at each access point below.

After critically analyzing our process and the culture of NMHS it was decided to change how we went about allowing students to access the Internet. We decided to trash the old process reliant on paper and emails by replacing it with a seamless alternative that empowered students to want to bring their mobile devices to school. This week I revealed these changes to our students. While encouraging them to bring in their tools I explained that they could now access the Internet immediately with their current passwords and usernames that they have used to log onto school computers during their entire NMHS careers. All they had to do now was bring in their device, select the guest network, enter their username/password, and check the box to agree to the terms of use. Then wallah, they would be connected to the Internet. Below is the terms that each student now has to agree to in order to access the Internet:

NMHS students and parents/guardians fully acknowledge that use of a personal device on the premises of New Milford High School is subject to all guidelines, rules and regulations governing acceptable use as established by the New Milford Public Schools Board of Education, Policy #2361 and Regulation R2361. It is further understood that use of a personal device is restricted to those activities as required or related to the student's program of study and any use otherwise may be subject to disciplinary action including loss of device use privileges. Students WILL NOT access websites with inappropriate content using a 3G or 4G connection. Students and parents understand/agree that New Milford High School is NOT responsible for any damage or theft that may occur to the laptop while on school property.

By logging into the New Milford wireless network, they are accepting the terms of the New Milford Student Responsible Use Guidelines. Once on the New Milford wireless network all users will have filtered Internet access just as they would on a district-owned device.

Our BYOD initiative at NMHS has succeeded and grown up to this point based on the basic premise of trust and respect. Yes, we have policies in place, the right infrastructure, and support our teachers with professional development and guidance. However, the most important elements stem from the fact that we trust our students to use their devices as tools for learning, enhanced productivity, and to conduct better research. Time is spent working with them on digital citizenship and the creation of positive digital footprints that they can be proud of. We also respect them as learners growing up in the digital age where these tools are playing a greater role in the world we are preparing them to succeed in. When creating a BYOD initiative grounded in these principles the possibilities are endless.

What do you think are the keys to a successful BYOD initiative?

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The Device Conundrum - 1:1 vs BYOD

Posted by Unknown Kamis, 28 Maret 2013 0 komentar

Cross-posted at the Huffington Post.

As we continue to advance in the digital age schools and districts are beginning to re-think pedagogy and learning environments by instituting either 1:1 device programs or Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. In my opinion, schools that wish to create the most relevant and meaningful learning culture will go in one of these directions. It is tough to argue the potential impact of either program that is implemented diligently and with a focus on learning that will not result in the enhancement of essential skills sets that our students need to succeed in today's digital world. Probably the most significant impact, either 1:1 or BYOD can have is in the area of teaching digital responsibility, citizenship, and the creation of positive footprints online. After all, in the real world that we are preparing our students for, technological literacies and proficiencies are the cornerstones of numerous career paths.

Image credit: Tony Vincent learninginhand.com

The decision on which way to go is usually determined by finances, which is unfortunate for those schools and districts who have their hearts set on getting a device in the hands of each and every student. Competition resulting from the continuous evolution of tablets, laptops, and now Chrome books, puts schools in a better position to make large-scale investments in mobile technology. In theory and on paper, a 1:1 program seems to be the best program for schools wanting to integrate technology on a macro level to enhance teaching and learning. Advocates for 1:1 programs will claim that it is the only way to go as it ensures equitable access to all students regardless of socioeconomic status.

With each student possessing a device, collaborative work using Web 2.0 tools is a reality for all students, both in an out of school, provided there is Internet access at home. In this day and age, finding a location with free WiFi is not such a difficult task. Maintenance becomes less of a headache for the IT department, as they only have to worry about one type of device. It also figures to entail a more streamlined approach when it comes to providing professional development to staff so that the devices are consistently utilized to support student learning.

The general case I make for 1:1 programs above is compelling, but is it the best option for our students today? The more I read about others' thoughts on this and reflect on the BYOD program we have instituted at New Milford High School, I am beginning to think that 1:1 programs are not necessarily the best option for our students. My main reason for this shift in thought is why would we want to pigeonhole our students to one single device and/or platform? Is that reminiscent of the real world that we are supposedly preparing them to flourish and succeed in? The fact is many students own and are comfortable with their devices. The digital divide in schools becomes smaller when bold districts, schools, and educators work to effectively integrate the technology that has been available for years outside their walls. BYOD has the ability to save districts money, but the real impact comes in the form or engagement and empowerment of students to learn on their terms. I have grown quite tired of the myriad of excuses to not move towards BYOD because it can and will have a positive impact with the right mindset, training, and support.

It makes sense to me to create a technology-rich learning environment that leverages available technology with that, which the students already own. This is what we have done at my school and experienced a great deal of success. In addition to BYOD, students and teachers have access to three PC labs, one iMac lab, one Macbook cart, one PC cart, and one netbook cart. The equity issue with BYOD in classrooms has been overcome with school purchased technology and the use of cooperative learning after my teachers determine which device(s) each student possesses and brings to school on a regular basis. In my eyes we are accomplishing the same goals, for the most part, as we would if a 1:1 program had been instituted. Students have access to technology and are using it on a daily basis to communicate, collaborate, create artifacts of learning, problem solve, think critically, become more technologically proficient, and develop a greater global awareness. The should most certainly be able to use it to replace more archaic forms of technology (i.e. pencil and paper) if they wish.

I am extremely interested to hear what others think about 1:1 vs. BYOD in schools. Do you think one is better than the other and if so why? If you are considering going down one of these paths, which one would you lean towards?

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Our Doors Are Always Open

Posted by Unknown Minggu, 10 Maret 2013 0 komentar

The following is a guest post by Steve D’Ascoli. Steve visited New Milford High School on Thursday February 28, 2013. NMHS routinely hosts visits from outside educators, schools, and organizations in an effort to provide insights on our initiatives. Below is a reflection by Steve on his recent visit.

Today I had the opportunity to meet with Eric Sheninger before he headed off to the 2013 NASSP Conference. I reached out to Eric to gain insight into the technologically driven mindset that has encapsulated New Milford High School. It was a great opportunity to not only get to exchange ideas with Eric regarding technology’s role in the classroom, but to see the learning community that has been nurtured and developed at his school.

Probably the most interesting idea Eric shared with me is how his school has structured their schedules to provide time for daily professional development. In order to foster growth and development, a “PGP” (Professional Growth Period), allows teachers to have time to search for resources, share current practices, and collaborate with one another. An amazing, transformative decision, which can spur innovation and afford teachers the opportunity that no one ever has... time! I don’t know if Eric was the brainchild behind that idea, but I have to tip my cap to whoever came up with that model.

It is also interesting that at New Milford High School, there are no mandates for teachers to use technology. Eric shared that teachers are beginning to welcome the role of technology, as they are able to see how it not only makes their instruction more engaging, but also in many circumstances, easier on the teacher! Through self-directed personal learning communities, and support from administration, Eric shared how teachers are empowered to take a different approach towards instruction because THEY want to.

As we navigated the hallways and classrooms, I was able to experience firsthand the school culture that is fostered at New Milford High School. The students recognize their opportunities to use devices in school, and understand what the expectations are for appropriate use. It was eye-opening to see that in a cafeteria filled with high school students that are allowed to use personal devices,95% of them were eating lunch, doing homework, and interacting in the same old fashioned ways!

Reflecting on this experience it is important to see how at my school district, we must establish specific goals that we intend to achieve by initiating a BYOD program at Valhalla Middle High School. One interesting component that Eric mentioned is that part of the New Milford outlook is that cooperative learning is stressed, and that devices should be connecting students together.

I really appreciated the opportunity that Eric arranged for me to spend time together and demonstrate the educational climate at New Milford. I hope that I am able to use this experience to influence the teachers and students at my school in similar ways. I look forward to meeting Eric again soon and definitely at Edscape in October!

Steve D’Ascoli is a 5th year educator at Valhalla Middle High School in Valhalla, NY. He has dual NYS certification in Secondary Social Studies and as an Educational Technology Specialist- daily utilizing both skill sets. As part of Valhalla’s Technology Committee, he is one of the leaders in driving the vision for the District. Steve is also currently leading Educational Technology instruction as an Adjunct Professor at Pace University and is obtaining a degree in School District Leadership.

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Altering the Path to BYOD

Posted by Unknown Rabu, 23 Januari 2013 0 komentar

The following is a guest post by Sherry Spier, a K-12 Media Specialist Coordinator in the Cinnaminson School District (NJ). In this post Sherry reflects on here recent visit to New Milford High School, which took place on January 11, 2013.

For the last year, myself and four other members of the Cinnaminson School District staff worked relentlessly to start a pilot Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) program at Cinnaminson High School. We worked together to create an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and a FAQ sheet for students and parents. We researched how other school districts began their program. We asked for volunteers. I thought we took all the necessary steps to pilot this program. After meeting with Eric Sheninger and touring New Milford High School, I now recognize that we share similar goals for a successful technology program, but our steps have not overlapped to make the same progress.

Image credit: http://info.netcenter.net/Blog/bid/230893/Small-Technology-Big-Risks-Top-5-Mobility-FAQs

The technology committee took all of the necessary steps, but maybe not the correct path in implementing our BYOT program. Our first steps should have involved our key stakeholders, the students. We did not ask them key questions which should have driven our implementation. We should have asked them what devices do they currently have and what are they using their devices for? What can they show the teachers and administrators that we don’t already know? What do students need to be able to do when they graduate that they can not currently doing that involves technology? All of these questions (and more) should have been our first steps in the path to developing a BYOT pilot program.

As we forged our way ahead, the technology committee should have made a greater effort in enlightening the educators and administrators who are stakeholders in this process. By not providing adequate support, in-service training, brainstorming, or sometimes an ear just to listen, we may have missed key components necessary for our goals to be met. Most importantly, a level of trust amongst all stakeholders through proven accomplishments will move the pace of the program ahead by leaps and bounds.

The most important lesson I learned while meeting with Mr. Sheninger that will help guide us back on the right track is that I need to be the catalyst for change. My schedule allows me the freedom to pop into classrooms and assist teachers as needed. I need to model what I know about technology and share that with administration and my peers. I need to build enthusiasm for this program.

Maybe the path we took to get where we currently are in our pilot is not the same path NMHS took to get where they currently are, but you can not change history. Now is the time to retrace our path, make the necessary changes to continue to journey ahead, and move together to make Cinnaminson’s BYOT program a growing success.

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Making Teachers' Lives Easier

Posted by Unknown Kamis, 10 Januari 2013 0 komentar

The following is a guest post by Jessica Groff, an English teacher here at New Milford High School. In this post she discusses her experience with a cloud-based technology solution called ClassLink. Jessica also teachers Digital Journalism and has worked with her students to create The Lance, our school's digital newspaper.

Four years ago, I left a desk job to become a teacher. In my previous life, I would turn off the computer in the office at 5:00 and go home, not thinking about the files left at the office again. When I began teaching, my world changed. Although school ended at 3:00, my work continued. From extra help, to grading papers, to creating assessments and coming up with activities, my profession reached far into my home life.

I quickly realized that saving work on my computer at work was not going to be good enough anymore. How could I open up a document and work on it at home at 7:00 at night when a great idea came to me if it was something that I had saved on my school computer during my preparation period at school?!

The first thing that I did was invest in a good flash drive. It had lots of space, and it was handy because I kept it on my keychain, something that goes everywhere with me. I began saving all of my work to my flash drive. I could easily work on a document at home OR at school. It was simple, lightweight, and convenient. And then one day, my world came crashing down. My flash drive had fallen off of my keychain.

Hours worth of work were lost forever.

After this traumatic experience, I caved in and started emailing myself documents. I would have different versions of the same document at home and at school, taking up space in my email, and I was always unsure of which version I had used latest. It was confusing, but the only way that I could get done what needed to be done!

And then I came to New Milford High School, a school that has invested in and uses Classlink. My life was saved! With Classlink, I am able to save my documents to my personal drive on the school’s server, and access them from ANY computer with Internet capability. I can download the document, work on it, and upload it back into my personal drive at work, even from home or on the go.

Also, with Classlink, there is easy one-click access to various websites that we use the most often here at NMHS, such as PowerTeacher, SchoolDude (our work order request website), Google Apps, and virtually anything else that we may access on a regular basis. It is a one-stop shop for all things education and ed-tech.

What I like the most about Classlink is that I can access it from anywhere. My responsibilities at school do not keep me chained to my room all day. I often move to different rooms, and sometimes I cannot just log on to the school server using my unique username and password. At times like this, I can simply go to any computer that’s logged in and go to the Classlink website. For example, today I was working with my Digital Journalism class in the Mac Lab on the lower level of our school. A student needed a permission slip that I had drawn up on my computer on the third floor. I simply logged onto Classlink, found the document, downloaded it, changed it to reflect what he needed, and printed it out on the spot.

For the Apple users out there, there is an iPhone/iPad application, as well. With the app, I can download documents into Evernote, or any other compatible processing app, and view or make changes to anything. I often access my personal drive from the application during meetings to discuss projects and assessments or curriculum with colleagues, which makes on-the-spot collaboration much more interactive. Instead of saying, “I’ll email you the document,” or running to my classroom to print it out and run back to my waiting colleagues, I can open any document on my cell phone and show it to my colleagues at that very moment, and we can move forward with our discussion.

I really cannot say enough great things about Classlink. It has made my life so much easier in so many ways when it comes to planning, preparation, and collaboration, the three keys to being a teacher. I know what life was like before, and I’m so glad that NMHS found Classlink!

We are also using ClassLink here at NMHS as a cloud-based Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) solution. It is a fantastic resource for schools looking to streamline their BYOD initiatives.

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Streamlining BYOD With ClassLink

Posted by Unknown Kamis, 12 Juli 2012 0 komentar

After a semester long pilot program with the senior class during the spring of 2011, we rolled out our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program to the entire student body in September. Throughout the entire 2011-2012 school year, we worked to refine our approach, implementation, and learning outcomes for the program. The model that we developed is customized, based on our student body and overall objectives of the program.

Students are permitted to use their devices for learning during non-instructional time (i.e. lunch) or in class at the discretion of the teacher. Mobile learning devices (i.e. cell phones) have been successfully integrated as student response systems using free web 2.0 tools such as Poll Everywhere and Celly. Smartphones and Internet accessible devices have been used by students to conduct web-based research, take notes using Evernote, manage work through Google Docs or Dropbox, organize their assignments on their calendars, and develop projects with a variety of other tools. Even though our school has more than enough available technology in four computer labs and two mobile carts, some students are more comfortable working on their own devices.

One thing we quickly realized is that our students owned and brought a diversity of devices to school including smartphones, iTouches, iPads, laptops, and other tablet devices (Kindles, Nooks, Playbooks, etc.). The challenge then became how to deliver a uniform experience across all devices in order to assist with the teaching and learning process. The solution came in the form of an award winning, web-based application called ClassLink Launchpad.

With ClassLink students and teachers can access a customized dashboard that is pre-loaded with a variety of tools that are used on a regular basis. I was able to establish the specific tools added to each of the respective dashboard (teacher, student). The best part is that for both groups the dashboard appears the same no matter the device that is used to login and access it. Below is what the dashboard looks like for my teachers.

Setup was a breeze, which was managed by both representatives from ClassLink and my IT department. Student and staff information was uploaded from our information management system (PowerSchool) in a seamless fashion. Existing usernames and passwords for both teachers and students could be used to access the ClassLink Launchpad application. An added bonus for my teachers was that Classlink allowed them access for the first time to their school drive, which we call the p drive. With this feature on their dashboard they could not only access files that have been saved for years at home, but they could also work from these same files now at home and conveniently save.

We began using ClassLink late in the spring, but are extremely excited about the promise that this solution holds to enhance the teaching and learning culture of our school through BYOD. There are so many more features that my teachers and I will explore in the coming months. More training and webinars will be provided for my staff so they are comfortable using ClassLink with learning in in mind. We will also focus on making students aware of ClassLink and the dashboard that has been specifically created for them.

How do you manage your BYOD program if you have one at your school? If you don't, what are the factors holding you back?

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Getting to Know Celly

Posted by Unknown Sabtu, 14 April 2012 0 komentar

As we continue to move further to enhance our Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) initiative at New Milford High School we are continuing to look for cost-effective resources to support this endeavor. One such resource is Celly. Celly lets people create private communication networks that work really well for situations that other social networks and resources don't. It also provides schools with a platform of tools that can be used to accomplish a variety of tasks.

This Web 2.0 tool is particularly interesting for educators because it allows for communication with students and parents via text messaging. Celly’s rich suite of tools for schools offers the following features:

Moderated messaging so students can help each other and ask questions with guidance from the teacher. It can also be used to establish study groups called "cells" where a constant activity stream is generated. This stream also becomes searchable. I like the fact that cells can be established by a teacher and used for threaded discussions or by students to collaborate on homework or projects. Groups can also be created for specific clubs/activities or to manage field trips.
Polling for instant evaluation and clicker replacement. I am a huge fan of using mobile learning devices (i.e. student cell phones) in class as part of an anticipatory set, to review prior learning, to check for understanding and/or assess, or as a form of closure.
Establish an interactive wall during class, assembly, or movie to increase engagement.
Ability to send alerts, notices, and reminders.
Increase community engagement and enhance outreach by creating cells to gather information on aspects relevant to your school.
Built-in feature that can be used to take notes.
Versatility in access. Celly is accessible from the Internet, SMS (text message), and email. It also works on any type of cell phone.
Phone numbers and emails are never shared or exchanged
Best of all it's a free service.

With over 1 million text messages sent last month Celly is growing fast. They are even about to release an Android app. To learn more about Celly and to get started creating your own cells click this link. You can also check out this tutorial or the video below to get started quickly and easily.

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The Seeds of Innovation

Posted by Unknown Minggu, 11 Maret 2012 0 komentar

The following is a guest blog post by Dr. Franklin Turner who recently visited my school.

A few weeks ago, I made a commitment to visit schools that are using social media, smartphones, texting, and other digital technologies, as a vital part of daily classroom instruction. The only criterion that I had was the school had to be entrenched in their use of the above-mentioned technologies. There are plenty of schools that have very expensive artwork on their classroom walls (i.e. Smart Board). I call them artwork, because they are collecting dust from not being used at all or being under utilized. Not enough schools are truly integrating technology into instruction, as well as encouraging students to bring their own technology to school. Recently, I made my way to New Milford High School in Bergen County, NJ.

Image credit: http://www.vicc.org/momentum/spring10/story4.jpg

After spending a few minutes with Principal Eric Sheninger and the faculty at NMHS, it was obvious that they get it. It being, that technology, if used responsibly is a great asset for teachers to improve instruction and for students to enhance their learning.

Principal Sheninger took me to a class where the teacher was preparing to cover a trigonometry concept. The teacher had just received all the pieces of technology to basically have an inexpensive Smart Board. He had connected an iPad to a wireless AppleTV and the television to a computer projector. This allowed the teacher to instruct his students using the iPad. The wireless connection between the iPad and the Apple TV gave him the freedom to move around his classroom. The freedom to move around the classroom allowed him to engage more students and improved the management of his classroom. The teacher was planning to use the iPad to show his students websites that were related to what he was covering in class that day. He wanted to show his students some real-world examples of practical applications for concepts that were being covered in class. I believe helping students to apply what they learn in the classroom to the real world is arguably the greatest responsibility of a teacher. Job well done by this mathematics teacher!

Then, I met with two other math teachers who showed me how they use smartphones to increase class participation and to assess their students learning. The teachers used polleverywhere.com to ask their students questions. Students answer the questions by texting their responses to a number that is on the screen in front of them. Asking their students to answer questions consistently during class affords the teacher the opportunity to receive real-time feedback and to formatively assess if their students understand the concepts being covered in class. Also, texting their responses engages all the students in the class, as compared to, the most outgoing students.

Finally, I had a chance to visit with the students during lunch period. I need to point out that students are allowed to use their technology during lunch i.e. their cell phones. I did not see a single student at anytime talking on their cell phone or consistently texting. I would say that more then 70% of the students in the cafeteria were working on some kind of school related task. I can confirm that when I was a high school student (when Duran Duran was a big deal), maybe 10% of the students in the cafeteria at my high school would be engaged in school related work.

I need to point out that this type of commitment to technology could only be possible with a principal that is dedicated to creating an environment that maximizes student and teacher growth. Most schools have bans on cell phones and like technology. Principal Sheninger obviously sees that social media and students bringing in their own technology are great educational tools. Unfortunately, many administrators and teachers do not fully understand the value of these technologies. Lastly, it is very important to point out that Principal Sheninger provides his teachers with the proper support (i.e. professional development, the equipment and hands on guidance) for them to be successful with the effective implementation of these technologies in the classroom. In addition, he makes sure to provide training to NMHS students on how to use technology responsibly.

Lastly, I used Poll Everywhere in my senior seminar the next day and it was a big hit. My college students really enjoyed using it. The participation level in my class increased dramatically. Once you learn how to use new technology you have to implement it and that was a key lesson I taught to my seniors. In addition, I explained to my students why using such a website would be useful to them and their students. Then, I gave my students several examples of how they could use this website in their elementary school classrooms.

Franklin Dickerson Turner, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology at Queens College, CUNY. His research focuses on the effective usage of social media, texting and other digital technologies with enhancing instruction and learning. Also, his research looks at race, social class, and gender in educational settings. You can learn more about Franklin at www.franklinturner.com and @doctorfranklin.

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Moving Schools Forward With BYOD

Posted by Unknown Kamis, 01 Maret 2012 0 komentar

The following is a guest blog post by Dr. Greg Farley. Greg is the Director of Technology at Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District and an Adjunct Professor and course developer at the Graduate Schools of Education at Monmouth University and Drew University. Greg also conducts workshops at K-12 schools and universities and mentors doctoral students and administrators in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Check out his blog Embrace, Adapt, Enhance.

I visited Eric’s High School on February 24^th to observe Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and his implementation of a contemporary learning environment. I was impressed. I was most impressed at Eric’s reflection that he was once part of the problem, banning devices from his school rather then embracing the use of the technology. That has changed and Eric trusts his students to interact responsibly with media and communication tools. These expectations are being met by staff and students.

Image credit: http://www.bishopoconnell.org/uploaded/Academics/smartphone-netbook-pad.jpg

I visited New Milford High School with Media Specialist Zach Gross (from Matawan Regional High School) and was immediately brought to a math classroom hearing the teacher say “OK everyone, bring out your phones.” Students brought out a variety of devices including Blackberries, iPhones, and Smartphones to answer multiple choice questions. These multiple choice questions were accessed through the website Polleverywhere.com to assess student understanding via an instant audience feedback system. The activity progressed seamlessly and the students were engaged.

We then went to the cafeteria where students were allowed to use devices during their lunch period and to our surprise, most students were eating, chatting (face-to-face), and just hanging out. The stereotype of the teenager texting impulsively, ignoring the physical presence of people around them, was shattered. Some students were using laptops and devices for class assignments or to text, but most were sitting at tables together, talking.

Students described their use of devices for educational activities and took personal responsibility for using the devices appropriately. I attribute this to Eric’s leadership and the team’s foresight, for embracing the learning environment and adapting their understanding of the tools used by the millennial generation. This structure allows the staff and administration to enhance learning activities and school climate through trust and responsibility, rather than banning new technologies for fear of what the students could do with them.

After my visit to New Milford I met with the Superintendent of Randolph Township Schools Dr. David Browne (a friend and former colleague), and his Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Fano to discuss their implementation of technology to create a rigorous and relevant learning environment. Both of these educational leaders follow Eric’s blog and tweets. They described “meeting” a 1^st grade class via Facetime using an iPad and Apple TV. The administrative team promotes creative uses of VLOGS, numerous apps and many other technologies to improve learning. Innovation is a common practice in Randolph Township Schools and is led by the district administration.

It is evident that creating a contemporary learning environment begins with educational leaders embracing new opportunities for using technology rather than relying on what has worked in the past. Technology needs to facilitate student collaboration, problem solving, and communication to enhance learning, rather then a “smoke and mirrors” approach like providing electronic worksheets. Administrators in 2012 must understand how to implement new technologies, not just “infuse” technology the easy way. Equipped with a critical eye for evaluation, administrators, as evidenced at NMHS and RTS, can improve the delivery and impact of instruction.

The administrators in New Milford and Randolph Township get it, and understand that to be successful, they must be life-long learners.

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It is Time For Schools to Seriously Consider BYOT

Posted by Unknown Kamis, 19 Januari 2012 0 komentar

This piece is cross-posted at the Huffington Post.

As we continue to move even further into the 21^st Century, technology becomes more embedded in all aspects of society. As a father, I see this firsthand with my son, who is in first grade. The gift he wanted the most this past Christmas was an iPod Touch, which Santa was kind enough to bring him. Then there is his younger sister who will regularly ask to use my iPad so she can either care for her virtual horse or dress Barbies in creative ways. As I download all of the apps on these devices, the majority of their time is spent engaged in games that require thought, creativity, and sometimes collaboration. My point here is that many children across the world have access to, and are using, technology outside of school in a variety of ways. Not only do many have access, but also older children possess their own devices (cell phones, smart phones, laptops, tablets, e-readers, etc.).

Image credit: http://blog.eboardsolutions.com/?p=118/

As society continues to move forward in terms of innovation, technology, and global connectivity, schools are being stymied by relentless cuts to education. This has resulted in the reduction of staff, larger class sizes, lack of follow through to repair aging buildings, and the inability to keep up with purchasing and replacing educational technology. It is essential that we rectify all of the above mentioned impacts of budget cuts, but when it comes to technology the perception is that it is the least important area in which to invest precious funds. This is why the time is now for districts and schools to seriously consider developing a Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) initiative.

The world of education is often defined by the “haves” and “have nots”. It is this separation that ultimately drives decisions when it comes to educational technology. Why should students in less affluent districts not be afforded the same opportunity as those with large budgets to utilize technology as a learning tool to create, collaborate, connect, communicate, and develop essential media literacies? A BYOT initiative makes sense as we can now leverage a variety of devices that many of our students already possess. It is how we utilize these student owned devices in schools that is the key to a successful BYOT initiative.

There are many well-respected educators that I greatly admire who feel that BYOT has no place in schools. Their main reasons for this are equity in terms of students that have devices and the belief that it is each district’s responsibility to provide all technology to be used by students in schools. I wholeheartedly agree with their positions, but those of us in the trenches must play with the cards that we have been dealt. As educators, it is our duty to do everything in our power to provide our students with the best learning opportunities possible and in many cases allowing students to bring their own devices to school assists in meeting this lofty goal.

We launched our BYOT program at New Milford High School this past September after just piloting it with the senior class last spring. There have been many lessons learned from this journey, the most important being that the students have greatly appreciated this shift. Policies have been developed for students to bring in their own computing devices, a ban on cell phone use during non-instructional time has been lifted, and educational programs have been put in place to teach our students about digital citizenship, responsibility, and footprints. We did not let excuses, such as equity, stop us from moving forward with an initiative that is turning out to have real value to our students and teachers. Key components of a successful BYOT initiative include the following:

Begin to change the way students view their devices by changing the language when they are referenced. Students need to fully understand that they are tools for learning. Make consistent efforts to refer to them as mobile learning devices.
When using these devices in the classroom, the teacher must ensure that there is a specific learning outcome connected to the device.
Ensuring equity is important and we must be cognizant of those students that might not own a device. Determining those that do not in a confidential manner is very important. If using mobile phones, teachers can easily pair students up.
A BYOT initiative can actually supplement what a school might already have in terms of technology and increase access. For example, let’s say a school has a laptop cart with only 20 devices because that is all that could be afforded, but there are 25 students in the class. Student owned technology could then be utilized to close this gap.
Develop appropriate support structures that align with current Acceptable Use Policies.
Provide professional development and resources to teachers so that they can be successful in implementing mobile learning devices.
Treat students like 21^st Century adolescents. Many of them own and use these devices outside of school. If we can focus use on learning, then why would we not allow them to bring these tools and use them in school?
Unacceptable use is dealt with accordingly based on a school’s discipline code. This should not be considered different than any other infraction. When it comes to off task behavior in the classroom, this is most likely the result of a poorly planned lesson or ineffective classroom management techniques.
Promote use of student owned devices for learning during non-instructional time. At NMHS, one can now routinely see students using their devices during lunch to conduct research for projects, complete homework assignments, and organize their responsibilities. Additionally, we have seen a dramatic reduction in behavior issues.

Instead of bashing BYOT and coming up with ideas on how and why it won’t work or how it is unfair, we would be best served to brainstorm ways in which it can become an educational component of our schools. The excuses to write off BYOT only serve to undermine the students that we are tasked with educating. A BYOT initiative will be unique to each district and should be carefully constructed based on socioeconomics and community dynamics. To begin the process students should be asked for their input. What are your thoughts on BYOT in schools? If it has worked for you, please share your experiences.

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