Why BYOD?

Technology is but a tool to achieve a desired outcome. We all want our students to be more productive during our lessons especially whilst using technology. With my own experiences, I know that I am more productive with whilst using my own devices because I know how to use it, I have personalized it and it is familiar to me.

Human beings are social beings that respond well to familiarity. Advertising works because a product becomes familiar although you may never have used it. I am more productive when I am using my laptop as opposed to using my wife’s or daughter’s laptop and they feel the same way. So why then would we enforce a policy that makes it harder for our students to use a technology/device/hardware that may reduce their productivity? As Bill Gates argues that “technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.”

I believe a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) programme in an educational environment will produce more productive, one propriety independent, skills based students. A BYOD programme is simply allowing students, teachers and all stakeholders to use their own devices on school premises.