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BYOD? 1:1? A blend? What's the best choice for your school?

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The US is arguably one of the top five richest countries in the world (actual number depends on source). In order for it to maintain its place at the top of the chain, it must ensure that it produces a workforce that can compete internationally in the tech world. To do this, American education must incorporate the 4C's, Communication, Critical Thinking, Collaboration and Creativity into its schools.

In order to prepare its students for the technological real world, schools must teach using devices. On top of that, the use of devices are so commonplace now for young people, that in order to keep them engaged, classes must integrate online learning or the students will simply check out.

The three main systems of getting devices into students hands at school are stated below - Bring Your Own Device, 1:1 and a Blend. The reason I chose to look at this project is because on paper, they sound easy to implement, but the devil is in the details as they say, and each one has a number of details that need to be thoroughly thought out before it can be truly successful.
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From this page, you can go to:
Lessons: 
  • International Baccalaureate Standards
  • Sample lessons using tech
  • Sample unit plan using tech
  • How to use Screen-o-matic

BYOD Guide:
  • 10 Things to Consider
  • Infographic
  • 'How To' google guides

Resources & References:
  • Top 5 Tech Blogs
  • Book Reviews
  • Williams Case Summary
  • NVUSD BYOD Handbook (Eng/Sp)
  • Symbaloo

BYOD Checklist:
  • BYOD Checklist
  • CCSS - Technology focus

And from Inspiration you can go to:
Research:
  • Original capstone paper
  • Background & Need
  • Challenges of BYOD
  • Literature reviews
  • Presentation poster
  • Data collected
  • Expert interviews

Design Process:
  • Project overview
  • Prototype
  • Logo Design

Support & Next Steps:
  • Next Steps
  • Gratitudes
Devices are essential in order for school's to fulfill Common Core requirements (see Lesson page) and for students to be prepared and then succeed in the 4 C's that prepare them for the 21st Century workforce. The question many school districts are asking themselves is which is the best system for their schools. Below are the three main systems, with Pros and Cons of each.
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Bring Your Own Device

A BYOD school expects every student to bring a device to school every day for the whole year. (Some schools specify what devices - i.e. no phones.)

Pros
1. Responsible for his/her device
2. More familiar with device 
3. Have it for the whole school year and vacations
4. Use it for other things as well as school work
5. Personalize it
6. Less costly for school district
​7. Enhances personal creativity


Cons
1. Affordability for families
2. If it breaks, families need to pay to fix it
3. Multiple platforms in a classroom at one time
4. Apps may not work on certain platform
5. Teacher may not be able to work or troubleshoot specific device
6. School must have a plan in place for if student forgets it

​1:1

In the 1:1 system, schools provide every student with a device to keep for the school year. The devices are usually chromebooks or iPads.

Pros
1. All students have the same device
2. Students can all help each other
3. Teacher only has to prepare for one app
4. If a student forgets the device a spare can easily be given
5. Family doesn't have to pay for anything

​Cons
1. Affordability for district (they will need to be replaced every 3-4 years).
2. If device breaks the district has to pay to fix it
3. Suffocates creativity
​4. Does not teach responsibility
Blend of Both Systems

Some school districts elect to do both systems. They integrate BYOD, and give families a choice to borrow one from the district if they need/want to.

Pros
1. All students have access to a device regardless of family's ability to pay
2. Students are able to choose at the beginning of the year if they want to borrow from the school or use their own
3. Pros from BYOD list





Cons
1. See BYOD list & 1:1 list
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LESSONS
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BYOD GUIDE
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RESOURCES & REFERENCES
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BYOD CHECKLIST