We
are excited to offer the opportunity for students to increase their
ability to access information electronically. The purpose of allowing
the devices in school is to support academic growth, therefore, no devices are allowed at Owen High between 8-3 without the permission of a teacher or administrator.
BCS to Test Drive "BYOD"
Posted 3.12.13
Over
the past few years, technology has evolved to such a high level, and
become so much a part of students’ lives, that depriving students and
teachers of its use in the classroom has become truly
counter-productive.
Technology
can be a key tool to engage students and enable them to explore,
investigate, research and solve problems, but only if it is available to
them. While Buncombe County Schools has invested in significant
computer technology, there are still only enough devices for use by
about half of our nearly 26,000 students at any given time. Many of
these BCS devices are installed in computer labs, not easily brought
into classrooms; moreover, they often do not have access to the latest
educational “apps” available on newer devices.
BYOD: Bring Your Own Device
So, how do we unleash the power of technology to motivate and enable 21st century
student learning in classrooms across the county on a daily basis? One
answer is “BYOD,” or “Bring Your Own Device,” which will be rolled out
in BCS intermediate, middle and high schools beginning April 1. One
elementary school, Weaverville ES, will also pilot the program.
By
allowing “BYOD” for the last two months of this school year, BCS hopes
to be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the program,
including any technical issues, before fully launching the program next
year. During April and May, the Instructional Technology Department will
work with participating schools to review any unanticipated situations
that may arise, with the goal of finalizing the program before next
fall.
How Does BYOD Work?
Currently,
with few exceptions, students are not allowed to bring their own
laptops and tablets to school, nor typically, to use their own smart
phones and eReaders in class. But beginning in April, students
at Buncombe County intermediate, middle and high schools will be granted
this privilege, so long as they abide by the rules of acceptable use,
and in accordance with the way each school decides to roll out the
initiative.
Each classroom teacher has the option as to the best
ways to utilize technology, including personal devices, in their
classroom. They will be the ones to determine if, when and how personal
devices are used in their classroom. There may be times such use is
encouraged, and times the use of devices will be prohibited. The goal of
BYOD is to enable teachers to allow the use of personal devices as an
educational tool, enhancing instruction, while avoiding the use of
devices as a distraction or entertainment. Students must be respectful
of the teacher's classroom rules and instructions regarding personal
devices, as well as the overall "Acceptable Use" agreement.
Parents
need to understand the rules as well, and should make sure that they
and their student(s) are in complete understanding and agreement
regarding expectations for taking and using their private device(s) at
school. Parents and students are asked to thoroughly review the
information below on Acceptable Use of Devices, and to study as well
the cyber safety information available on the BCS website under the
“Safe Schools” tab.
To
see BYOD in action, take a look at this video from a school system
which for several years has been utilizing BYOD to advance learning in
the classroom:
You
may also wish to view the PowerPoint prepared by the Instructional
Technology Department to help explain the implementation of the school
systems's BYOD initiative:
BYOD at BCS
BCS Acceptable Use of Devices
PURPOSE
Buncombe
County Schools (BCS) is committed to moving students and staff forward
in a 21st century learning environment. As part of this plan, Buncombe
County Schools will allow students and staff to bring their own devices
(BYOD) during any teaching and learning day. With classroom teacher
discretion, students may use their own devices in the classroom. Participants
should use personal devices during the instructional day to support
their educational activities and maintain academic integrity in all
their work at all times. Access for personal reasons is secondary and
must not disrupt the learning of others. The current cell phone policy
for students remains in effect and supersedes this statement of use.
PLAN
Beginning
April 1, 2013, students and staff may bring their own devices (BYOD) to
school during any teaching and learning day. The BYOD wireless network
will only provide filtered Internet access. BCS teachers, media
assistants and other staff, are not responsible for configuring personal
devices to access this network. Users may not access the Buncombe
County Schools network via hardwired connection with any personal
device. BYOD devices will not have access to the internal BCS network
or resources provided by the internal BCS network, including shared
drives and printers. Use of a device under the district’s BYOD Statement
of Use requires the users’ adherence to the BCS Technology Acceptable
Use and Internet Policy (646).
MAINTENANCE and REPAIR
Responsibility
for maintenance and repair of privately owned devices rests with the
individual owner. Buncombe County Schools (BCS), and its employees, are
not responsible for the maintenance and repair of personal devices.
Submitted Bolt tickets without proper asset management tags associated
with BCS property will not be supported.
SECURITY and DAMAGES
It
is the joint responsibility of school personnel and the parent or
guardian of each student to educate the student about his/her
responsibilities and to establish expectations when using technology.
Responsibility to keep privately owned devices safe and secure rests
with the individual owner. BYOD participants are prohibited from sharing
personal devices, creating “hot spots”, and deliberately tampering
with school system property or property of others, including uploading
and downloading illegal material or inappropriate content. Use of a
personal device that has full wireless access from a 3rd party carrier
requires the users’ adherence to the district’s BYOD Statement of Use
and the BCS Technology Acceptable Use and Internet Policy (646).
Buncombe
County Schools (BCS), and its employees, are not liable for any device
stolen or damaged while on campus or off-campus at a BCS sponsored
event. If a device is stolen or damaged, such incidents will be handled
through the local administrative office in the same manner
as other personal artifacts that are impacted in similar situations.
Any device connecting to the district internal WiFi is subject to
seizure under certain circumstances.
Below are frequently asked questions for Students and for Teachers regarding the BCS plan for BYOD:
STUDENT FAQ
Q:
I brought my personal device to school to use in the classroom, but my
teacher said I couldn’t use it in his/her classroom. Can I still use it?
Answer: The
teacher in the classroom has the final say on procedures in the
classroom. If he or she asks you not to use your device, then you should
follow those directions. Bringing your own device is only an option,
not guaranteed for each classroom situation.
Q. I need to print something, is this allowed?
Answer: No,
students are not allowed to print items from any wireless device.
Students that attempt to print from their wireless device may lose the
privilege to bring their device to school.
Q. My personal device was stolen when I brought it to school. Who should I contact about this?
Answer:
Bringing your own technology device to school can be useful; however,
some risks are involved as well. It is always a good idea to record the
device’s serial number in case of theft. Buncombe County Schools is not
responsible for the theft of a device, nor are we responsible for any
damage done to the device while at school. Theft or vandalism of any
kind should be reported immediately to the school administration so
he/she can take the appropriate steps. Damage or theft is still the
responsibility of the owner.
Q. Am I still held accountable for the Acceptable Use Policy (“AUP”) I agreed to, even though this is my own personal device?
Answer: Yes.
The BCS Technology Acceptable Use and Internet Policy (646) remains in
effect even when you are using your own device. Violating the terms of
the AUP would be a student code of conduct violation and would be dealt
with on campus with a local school administrator.
Q, Will there be a penalty to my grade if I do not have my own device?
Answer: No.
Devices are never required and therefore, a grade cannot be taken. When
technology use is mandated, devices will be provided to anyone who
needs them.
TEACHER FAQ
Q.
My classroom is not conducive to student owned technology. Am I
required to allow my students to access their technology tools in the
classroom?
Answer:
No. Teachers are encouraged to leverage student owned technology tools
in their classroom for learning. The design of the lesson should be used
to determine the best use of student provided technology and the rules
that apply.
Q. I have
students who are accessing the internet using their provider’s data plan
(AT&T, Sprint, Verizon etc.) on their own devices, hence bypassing
the filter. Is this allowable?
Answer: Students are expected to follow the district acceptable use policy when accessing the internet through any device.
Q. A student in my room may be misusing their personal device. Am I permitted to check the device?
Answer: Yes,
if at any time you suspect a violation of the Buncombe County Schools’
Statement of Use for Bringing Student Owned Devices or the BCS
Technology Acceptable Use and Internet Policy (646), you may check the
device or notify school administration.
Issues and Concerns
Where
school systems have implemented “BYOD,” the vast majority of students,
teachers, administrators and parents seem to be strong supporters of the
program. After a few years of use, BYOD becomes the norm, and initial
concerns seem to fade away.
As
Lisa Nielsen, the author of "Teaching Generation Text: Using Cell
Phones to Enhance Learning" and "The Innovative Educator" blog, says,
“It’s time to listen to the students (and many of their parents and
teachers) and shed light on misconceptions by dispelling common myths
about bringing your own device (BYOD) to school. When we do, we can
begin to move past the ignorance and toward breaking the ban.” You can
read her excellent article, "7 Myths About BYOD Debunked" under the
resources listed below.
Resources
Getting Started With BYOD.pdf
7 Myths About BYOD Debunked