Forsyth County Schools, Georgia- Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Implementation

Forsyth County Schools, Georgia- Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Implementation

BYOT is the disruptive innovation needed to move us past banning, past worries about student-owned devices being used to fuel instruction and move us to personalized learning, differentiated instructional strategies, to focusing on the learning and not on the tool. BYOT allows us to raise the level of technology use to the transformational level in which students become information producers, not consumers. Anecdotally, teachers tell us that BYOT is the easiest technology initiative that they have implemented because they empower the students to be the technology experts. When the school rolls out laptops to every student, then the teacher has to know how that laptop works along with all of the software on it. When students have difficulty with their personal devices, they are able to help each other, and the teacher isn’t expected to know how all of the devices work. The teacher is supposed to focus on the teaching, and this involves learning along with the students as they explore new ideas and solve original problems. The teacher does not need how to dictate how to use technology; instead, the teacher can offer suggestions and advice, and the students can develop their own solutions.

Bailey Mitchell, Chief Technology and Information Officer, Forsyth County Schools

Recent features for Forsyth’s BYOT:

What is BYOT?

For purposes of BYOT, “Technology”means a privately owned wireless and/or portable electronic hand held equipment that includes, but is not limited to, existing and emerging mobile communication systems and smart technologies, portable internet devices, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), hand held entertainment systems or portable information technology systems that can be used for word processing, wireless Internet access, image capture/recording, sound recording and information transmitting/receiving/storing, etc. We have seen the Nintendo DSI, for instance, become an effective vehicle for collaboration, communication and creativity.

• BYOT is the use of any technology device that the student brings to school to assist their learning.
• Student devices access filtered Internet through the BYOT wireless network.
• BYOT can be used with any grade level.
• Empowering the students to make decisions regarding how they will learn in class.

Forsyth County Schools, Georgiais working with schools and teachers throughout the district toimplement the practiceof allowing students to bring their own technology to use in the classroom.We have workedthrough the issues of how to manage the classroom if some students do have a computing device while others don’t as well as ways to make effective use of the technologies. Teachers have participated in several professional learning opportunities to ramp up their knowledge and comfort level for this new way of learning. We continue to provide additional support and guidance to our schools, as requested, to facilitate the implementation of BYOT.

Students who are in classrooms involved in the project have been trying out the use of laptop computers, netbook computers, gaming consoles that have the capacity to browse the internet and cell phones. The response has been very positive.

Forsyth BYOT resources (make sure you look at the interactive BYOT flyer):

Key Concepts in the BYOT Vision

• As consumer devices come into the school, the technology department doesn't own all the services any more.
• Students and teachers will have to take more responsibility for the role technology plays in their work in a self-serve sense.
• Nightmare scenarios have not been realized.

Responsible/Acceptable Use Procedure Changes for BYOT

• Students are permitted to connect to the district network via the secure wireless connection provided by the school system, but all access must be in accordance with this Acceptable Use Policy.
• Students are NOT permitted to use their own computing devices to access the Internet via personal Wi‐Fi accounts or by any manner other than connecting through the secure wireless connection provided by the school system.

Implementation Considerations for BYOT

Equity

As educators, we should agree that the issues of equity must be addressed; however, the issue of equity aloneshould not be a reason why you would avoid animplementation of BYOT. We have found that school supported, mobilewireless notebook computers have worked well to provide for students who do not have a device. We already purchase technology resources for our schools that students without their personal devices can access more when the students who have their own devices are no longer using them. BYOT enables us to determine where the needs for additional technology exist.

Instructional Adaptation

In our experience when students do not have the same device, same software, same everything, teachers are forced to think differently about managing learning. So rather than designing the product that students will submit (and receiving cookie-cutter same results), the teacher stays focused on what needs to be learned. Students are responsible for determining how they can best represent their learning using the tools that are available. BYOT empowers students to use their devices in new ways to produce original content and solve problems – innovative computational thinking.

Educational Acceptance

With BYOT, you should allow for more teacher freedom and autonomy without the typical consequences for mistakes. We need to learn from the good, from the surprises, even the bad.

Common Sense

With BYOT, you should be open to pretty much anything using common sense to learn what works and what does not

One of the biggest benefits of BYOT is that the devices are not the same. BYOT facilitates differentiation and collaboration because the students can be encouraged to work together with the various tools to research new information and complete original work. This type of experience is more aligned to work in the real world. It requires many different tools and a variety of expertise to design and build something innovative.

Investing Wisely and Building Capacity for BYOT

We don’t spend much effort discussing what kind of paper, pencil and pen (tools of past generations of learners) students ought to have to use in order to assure learning takes place at the highest levels. Why are we doing so about technology? Is it just because the price point is higher? Technology is a disguise for what the conversation really should be about and that’s designing learning for students that requires THINKING and CREATIVITY. Funding is important as well as being a good steward. Why purchase devices that students don’t want to use? We all want to customize our devices to our personal needs rather than receiving a standardized piece of equipment that is preloaded with software and resources that someone else thinks is appropriate or relevant. Our technology money is better spent on rigorous infrastructure to support multiple devices and additional devices for students who can’t afford their own. Also, we need more programs like the one Comcast has offered where students with greatest need have access to cheap internet access and a high quality device for $150.

More helpful BYOT Resources:

Some Additional Thoughts:

“Understand that it's coming regardless of what we can now support or even think should happen. Most students in the near future will have computing devices with them and using them. To access the Internet and other data will just be part of their daily lives. We won't be able to continue to ban students from having cell phones, computers, etc, and shouldn't. We should embrace the idea and direct our efforts toward management, security, safety, collaboration, and resource sharing so that we can leverage the change. Being able to extend the school day and provide for remote access of school district resources while the students are outside the building is all part of this.”

Mark Klingler - Director of Technology Services, Forsyth County Schools

"South Forsyth High School embarked on our BYOT journey in earnest begin in the fall of 2010. In doing so, we removed previous barriers to students use and engagement as it relates to participatory learning and personalization through technology. The student engagement results have been immediate and the unintended consequences significant. In the past two years, South Forsyth High School had approximately 400 discipline refers related to technology usage--theft, inappropriate use, etc. Since implementing our BYOT initiative and creating a culture of respect and common sense, our technology related referrals have decreased to a grand total of 4. We see this data as significant evidence that not only does technology have a place in our building and our educational process, but that students, when given the appropriate guidelines and guidance, can and do rise to the level of expectation and engage in new and meaningful ways."

Jason L. Branch, Ph.D., Principal, South Forsyth High School

Being able to extend the school day and provide for remote access of school district resources while the students are outside the building is all part of this. Our schools are already BYOT because students have devices in their book bags and pockets. We have a responsibility as educators to engage in the dialogue with students about appropriate and effective ways to use those devices to support opportunities for learning.

Dr. L.C. “Buster” Evans – Superintendent, Forsyth County Schools