This school (and I am sure many others) encourages students to bring their own digital/technological devices such as smart phones (yep they all have them), iPads/tablets, laptops etc. for use in the classroom. As the technological age is advancing, the education system has finally caught onto the fact that it might be useful for students to know how to use said devices effectively. I walk into a classroom and more often than not, at least 2 students will have their iPads or laptops out ready to partake in the lesson (or so it would seem). Some students work faster and more effectively using these devices rather than pen and paper, and it is also helpful having someone ready to Google a question that the teacher can't answer (we don't know everything ok?!!).
This system has its negatives as well as its positives. Some teachers who have not yet faced the reality of technology taking over the world, do not allow their students to use devices in their class or very minimally. Other teachers have no qualms whatsoever about their students using them in the lesson but it is hard to keep tabs on who is actually using them to good effective and who is playing MiniClip Free Games (I don't know if anyone but me actually still does that). Therein lies the issue of using devices in the classroom. Some students are responsible and will do the work without getting off task. Other students, will abuse the privilege and this is evident when they have done minimal work for the lesson. It is also difficult for teachers to monitor their activity because if they go and hover over students, the students will immediately appear to be doing what they should be. The teacher may not observe the Facebook tab that is still open next to the OneDrive page that they appear to be doing work on.
Consequently the BYOD idea is effective in allowing students to develop practical knowledge about technology. It also appeals to students who struggle with pen and paper, however, many teachers have difficulty in monitoring students' use of their devices and they are not always required in the lesson. Students need to learn how to write with pen and paper regardless especially in exams (NCEA hasn't cottoned onto technology quite yet). An effective way of controlling the BYOD is what my associate does which is to allow the students to use the devices when she says so, and put them away when they are no longer needed. Technology definitely has a place in the learning environment, but it is not always required.
