Do you know schools with a "bring your own device" (BYOD) policy??

[MadameChauchat]

We are trying to decide between two secondary schools for DS, one state, one private. I just found out that the private one has adopted this BYOD policy since last year, something that we had not been made aware of during the open days we went to (we specifically asked about the use of text books).
It turns out that from year 7, each pupil is required to bring a mobile device with a keyboard to school daily, for use during all their lessons. (They don't allow the use of smartphones in class because the screens are too small.)

Now I'm quite concerned about all this, for a number of reasons:

• If children have their own device as opposed to one from school, they will also have their own games/apps/videos on them, which would cause major distractions during lessons imo. How will teachers be able to monitor this in class??
  
• I saw a documentary recently about a similar school abroad. They filmed during break time and literally all pupils were staring on their screens instead of talking to each other.
  
• It seems that at the same time BYOD was introduced, a large number of teachers were leaving the school. I suspect the two things might be connected.
  
• It's expensive, it's heavy, it could get damaged/stolen/lost.
  

Do any of you teach in a school like this, or do your children attend one, and what do you think about it??

[UhtredRagnorsson]

My DDs both take their laptops into school because they use them in class due to SpLDs.

I think it's fine.

[titchy]

Well I think it's a bit novelty to be honest, and not necessary. Your concerns however are unwarranted - most schools allow phones, so bringing an extra device won't change the potential for filming, or messing about. Discipline and an effective anti-bullying ethos should be in place anyway. Having said that text books don't exist really these days, but there should be resources on their intranet that they provide for students. I'm sure there are some cheap Android tablets out there with cheap keyboards so not sure cost (esp as you're paying thousands in fees!) or weight are real issues either.

Given that your choice is state v private I think this is pretty low down on your list of factors.

[Pointlessfan]

I'm a teacher in a school where phones are not allowed and only a few students with SpLDs have laptops. This infuriates me as there are so many lessons where it would be helpful to film or photographs something or do some internet research and we simply don't have enough ICT access in school. It seems crazy that we live in a world where most students have access to these devices and will almost certainly use them at uni/in future careers that we are wasting this wonderful opportunity to teach responsible device use and to enhance some of our lessons.
I think it's great that the school has this policy providing they are teaching the responsibility that goes with access to technology.

[SAHDthatsall]

Yes at DS school they have to take their own iPads in and use them productively quite a lot in school and for homework too. The school discourages games on them but can't insist on that as they don't belong to the school. DS has a couple of games on them and he does play on them a bit but not excessively.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

DD's school has a mix of children who came through the junior school with school issued iPADs and BYOD. Device has to be present every day fully charged. They are used for a variety of things in school including presentations and art/dt projects.
What do my DD's peer group do at lunchtime? When the weather is nice they go outside and climb trees and run around. If it rains they are inside some days there is chess club that they love, other days there are packs of cards and they play cheat, go fish and chase the lady. There are loads of sports clubs at lunchtimes that they also go to. Since the September not one day have the spent lunch on their iPads.

[MadameChauchat]

Thanks all for your replies so far, it's really helpful.

Yes I agree it's important that the school teaches them responsibility wrt use of technology, and I think they do. Nevertheless, apparently several boys have already been expelled because of misuse (I don't know exactly what happened), and I'm not sure if it's a good idea if all the kids have constant access to the internet without too much supervision.

[ShipwreckedAndComatose]

Our school has a BYOD policy because they can be a positive tool for learning and are a part of our society. However, it's not required of them, that would not be appropriate in a State school.

I am trying to work out what could be so serious that several boys have been expelled for it! Our WIFI has controls that prevent inappropriate access.

[ShipwreckedAndComatose]

I guess the supervision is key. They are only allowed to be used in lessons

[yomellamoHelly]

Ds's school has a BYOD policy and assists those that can't afford it. They teach them how to use them and to use them responsibly and they're not allowed to use them unless instructed. The school uses them as part of homeworks and classwork and I think they're quite creative in how they approach it. He is not always on it by any means. Does loads of clubs etc..... Does mean ds's bag is heavier than it could otherwise be.

[bojorojo]

My DDs school offered fully supported laptops as long ago as 2003! This was changed to bring your own as it became too expensive when compared to buying your own and parents refused to buy the school ones! Private school. I thought everyone had access to some form of personal computer in school these days.

I can think what misuse might be!!! You must lead a sheltered life.

[bojorojo]

Just wait until they need Mac Book Airs or Pros!

[Shallishanti]

'I thought everyone had access to some form of personal computer in school these days'

on planet private perhaps
the plebs only get one if they can prove a learning disablity

[ShipwreckedAndComatose]

Oh, bojo.... You misunderstand my post.

It's not what I can imagine misuse to be.. It's what I can imagine a school allowing to happen, unsupervised, on such a scale that several students get expelled, that I struggle with. Bad schooling.

[LoveBoursin]

Our secondary (state) has that policy, except that there is a rule about said device, it has to be an ipad.

And yes all the points you are mentioning are happening (stuck to a screen at breaktime, apps and games on the device etc etc)

Access to the interenet is limited thanks to a very strict system but I'm sure some of the teenagers can manage to go around it (dc1 is in Y7 so I haven't heard about it ... yet)

the idea is that they have access to specific apps though the iPad.
I personally would prefer them to be writting instead (a lot opf advanatges to it, incl better learning)

[Noofly]

DS is at a private school and they introduced BYOD last year. It seems to work very well although DS has broken the screen on his tablet twice already.