Learning in a BYOD classroom provides significant opportunities for change. This is not because a device is being used but rather because the relationships between the teacher and student changes. Students in a 1:1 environment can develop a more independent personalised learning where collaboration and negotiation with the teacher enables a deeper more authentic engagement.
Characteristics of this include;
- interactive and differentiated learning
- student led learning in a variety of learning styles
- learning outside the classroom
- access to a wealth of resources and information
- access to in-built camera and microphones
- apps that make these devices exceptionally powerful.
- Mobile devices are no longer just for consuming media, they allow students to document, edit and create - demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of specific subject matter.
The Australian Curriculum and the ICT Capabilities give new insights into the digital knowledge, skills and attitudes that our students will need in their lives.The move to BYOD gives us further opportunities to evaluate our teaching and learning practices in order to develop students who are collaborative, reflective, intrinsically motivated, self-determined and empowered to learn. The personalised learning that often characterises BYOD should be reflected in the changes to our teaching and learning practices within the context of the Australian Curriculum.
Catholic Education Office BYOD PROJECT:
The Bring Your Own Designated Device (BYODD) project was introduced at four Archdiocesan Primary Schools in 2013. During 2013 three online surveys were conducted with teachers, students and parents to assess the success of the project in the four pilot schools.
All four schools reported that the use of the iPad to support contemporary pedagogy resulted in:
student learning outcomes improving
improved and increased student engagement
underachieving students have blossomed
increased opportunities for cooperative learning and peer feedback
greater opportunity for sharing of student’s work between home and school
students becoming more independent learners
What Does the Research Say?
.KARSENTI, T. "The iPad in education - Thierry Karsenti." 2013. <http://www.karsenti.ca/ipad/pdf/iPad_report_Karsenti-Fievez_EN.pdf>
"Among the main benefits of using a touchpad in class, we found the following benefits for students.
Increases motivation (see Kinash, Brand, & Mathew, 2012; Sachs & Bull, 2012; Wainwright,2012);
Facilitates access to, management of, and sharing of information (see Babnik et al., 2013; Fri-Tic, 2012; Hahn & Bussell, 2012; Martin, Berland, Benton, & Smith, 2012);
Fosters student learning and performance (see Churchill, Fox, & King, 2012; Fernández-López, Rodríguez-Fórtiz, Rodríguez-Almendros, & Martínez-Segura, 2013; Isabwe, 2012; Lau & Ho, 2012; McKechan & Ellis, 2012; Ostler & Topp, 2013; Rossing, Miller, Cecil, & Stamper, 2012);
Allows a wider range of teaching strategies (see Fernández-López et al., 2013);
Fosters individualised learning (see McClanahan, Williams, Kennedy, & Tate, 2012; Wasniewski, 2013);
Improves the reading experience (see Fernández-López et al., 2013; Huber, 2012; Sloan, 2012; Zambarbieri & Carniglia, 2012);
Encourages communication and collaboration among students and between teachers and students (see Geist, 2011; Henderson & Yeow, 2012; Hutchison, Beschorner, & Schmidt-Crawford, 2012);
Improves computer literacy skills (Huber, 2012; Killilea, 2012);
Nurtures students’ creativity (Sullivan, 2013);
A highly portable tool (see Henderson & Yeow, 2012; Hill, Nuss, Middendorf, Cervero, & Gaines, 2012; Kinash, Brand, Mathew, & Kordyban, 2013; Villemonteix & Khaneboubi, 2012; Williams, Wong, Webb, & Borbasi, 2011);
Facilitates student assessment (Alberta Education, 2012; Isabwe, 2012; McKechan & Ellis, 2012);
Improves the quality of pedagogical support (Murray & Olcese, 2011);
Facilitates learning how to write (Murray & Olcese, 2011);
Makes it easier to organize schoolwork and assignments (Churchill et al., 2012);
Students can make versatile and vivid multimedia presentations (Murphy & Williams, 2011);
Signifcant benefts for students with learning problems (McClanahan et al., 2012).