The trend toward BYOD has been growing steadily since its inception: according to a survey conducted by Education World, 87% percent of teachers reported having at least one personal device being used during class time within the last year alone.
In recent years, schools have been faced with budget cuts and funding shortages. The increasing costs of technology, coupled with stagnant or decreasing revenues for public education, has made school administrators look for ways to cut costs and save money. One way to do this is by implementing a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy in the classroom.
Increased Engagement
Students are more engaged in classes that have a BYOD policy. One study showed that students who used their own devices in class had higher scores on exams than those who did not. Other research has found that students with their own devices scored higher on standardized tests and were more likely to finish their schoolwork outside of class or finish ahead of scheduled deadlines.
By allowing students the freedom to use their own devices for learning, teachers can eliminate problems caused by old or outdated technology at schools, such as slower operating speeds and short battery lives. This can help increase engagement levels among your student body by providing them with tools that allow them to stay connected with friends and family members during free periods, rather than just watching videos or playing games on school-issued iPads or laptops!
Improved Communication
Students, teachers and parents can communicate with each other in a variety of ways. Students can text or call their teachers if they need to talk about something that’s not going well or not being covered by the teacher. Teachers can call or text students if they have questions about assignments due soon, or just to check in and see how things are going.
Parents can contact teachers via email or phone if they want more information on how their child is doing at school. Parents can also use the app to view their child’s schedule and grades, as well as report absences or changes in attendance. Teachers can send out important announcements or reminders about upcoming tests and exams through the app, too.
Cost-saving Investment
There’s no doubt that this investment will save your school money in the long run. Avoiding one-time costs for technology upgrades means you won’t have to worry about purchasing new computers or laptops every few years, or upgrading software and hardware as frequently as before.
This can be especially helpful if you’re working with a limited budget, because it allows schools to focus on other areas of education—like boosting teacher salaries or improving classroom facilities—instead of needing to spend extra funds on technology support.
Greater Accessibility to Learning Resources
One of the biggest benefits of a BYOD program is that it creates greater accessibility to learning resources, both in terms of digital and physical. Students can access their learning resources when they are at home, while traveling or on the go.
This may not seem like a big deal if you have reliable internet connectivity at home. However, those students who do not have reliable internet access at home will benefit greatly from this feature because it allows them to complete their assignments anywhere, they please without having to worry about missing out on valuable information due to lack of connectivity or insufficient bandwidth speed.
Encourages Student Responsibility
By allowing students to bring their own devices, you are giving them the opportunity to take ownership of their learning experience.
When a student has their own device, they become responsible for their data, which means that they must be responsible for how they use it. It also understands that if something happens to her device—say, if it gets damaged in an accident or stolen—she has no one else to blame but herself. This sense of responsibility will carry over into all aspects of life as an adult and helps students learn how important it is to be responsible for yourself and your actions.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to improve your school’s learning environment and foster an open, inclusive environment that encourages student engagement and responsibility, BYOD may be the solution. We hope this article has helped you see how BYOD can benefit your students and for more education-technology updates visit Edutech master blogs. If you think BYOD is right for your school and want help getting started, contact us today!
