Charles D. Owen High

Caring, Communicating and Clarifying

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.

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 21^st 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: 

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.

Getting Started With BYOD.pdf 

 7 Myths About BYOD Debunked