BYOD will be the Fast Growing Technology Trend in K-12 Classes.

BYOD-Bring Your Own Device Program in schools is a program where

students bring and use their media devices to school and teachers teach
lessons through integrated technology while students participate in the
lessons using their devices. In todays technological society, 21st century
student must be technologically savvy to be able to function in a society
where technology is rapidly growing. In order for schools to effectively
prepare 21st century students to be successful professionals in this society,
schools need to shift from the traditional concept of teaching computer
technology as a separate subject. Technology should be integrated into all
lessons. For this to be effective, all students would need to have equal
access to media devices (1:1 access) to be actively involved in lessons.
According to Tizza Saponaro an international certified English, Italian,
and Spanish teacher who has more than 20 years experience in teaching
public schools, she states that in her experience there are several
advantages to BYOD. Saponaro states that she noticed her class participation
increased with BYOD. She states that technology is a big part of the students
lives. Students love it and we should integrate technology into lessons to
keep students engaged. Saponaro, also explained that learning becomes
more student driven. She explained that with BYOD the shift moves from
teachers lectures to a more student centered approach where students can
pose questions and do research to find information they need. Saponaro

further explains that BYOD helps to build collaboration and communication in

her classes because students collaborate and communicate with
assignments, projects and content creation and allows students to
communicate virtually with the teachers and other students. Saponaro states
that BYOD saves her school money, because they dont have to keep up with
ever changing technology devices. Saponaro added that BYOD has allowed
her to teach using differentiated instruction. She is able to meet student
where they are and be better able to help them move at their own pace. By
allowing my students to follow along with my interactive multimedia lessons
on their mobile devices, I give them more control over the pace at which
they learn, Saponaro stated. Saponaro noted that students use their devices
as engaging learning tools and are able to bring their homework, educational
games, and projects with them. She further explained that her students are
able to continue learning outside the classroom because they would have
access anytime and anywhere by just a swipe of a finger. Soponaro admitted
that BYOD is a new way of learning and incorporating BYOD into the
curriculum has helped transformed instructional methods to more project
and inquiry based learning opportunities. She explained this pedagogical
approach helps students become more hands on learner and take ownership
of their work.
BYOD is not just a growing trend in school, but also in the work place.
We need to get our students ready for this fast change. According to Chris
Townsend, Vice President of Federal Mid-Atlantic, at Stonesoft, a provider of

integrated network security solution, he explains that market researcher

Gartner Inc. predicts that 4 in 10 organization will exclusively rely on BYOD
which mean that by the year 2016 employers will no longer provide any
devices to employees and about 85 % of business will do the same.
Townsend states that according to iGR, a wireless and mobile communication
consulting firm, 62% of small and medium business in the U.S. has an official
BYOD policy in place as of 2013.
Archita Datta Majumdar, a writer for various industries for more than
14 years, she stated that there was research that was conducted by Bradford
Networks in 2013 that showed 85 % of educational
institutions in the U.S. and the United Kingdom allow mobile devices in the
classroom, a figure that will only rise in the future.
Richardo Sanchez an engineer, educator, SymbalooEdu certified and
robotics-lover explained that most students own at least one mobile device
and whether we like it or not, technology is now ruling the world. He explains
that we are to take advantage of this because mobile devices are powerful
learning tools that can be used to enhance learning. This graph below from
Silicon Alley Insider shows U.S. children who own mobile phones, by age 6 to
11 years and the increase of children owning phones between 2005 2009.

.
BYOD is happening in some school and businesses and I predict that
within the next five years, BYOD will be the fastest technology trend in
schools. As educators it is our responsibility to adequately prepare our
students to be able to function in this competitive technological society.

References
Majumar, A. D. (2014). BYOD: A growing trend in the classroom. Retrieved
July 1st, 2015 from http://exclusive.multibriefs.com/content/byod-a-growingtrend-in-the-classroom
Sanchez, R. (2015). Bring your own device, a growing trend among U.S.
schools. Retrieved July 2, 2015, from http://bilingualmonster.com/teacherscorner/articles/bring-your-own-device-byod-a-growing-trend-among-usschools
Saponaro, T. (2014). 6 Benefits of BYOD in the Classroom. Retrieved July 1st,
2015 from http://elearningindustry.com/6-benefits-byod-classroom

Townsend, C. (2014). BYOD/BYOA: A Growing Applicable Trend. Retrieved July

1, 2015, from http://www.inc.com/partners/comcast/byod-byoa-a-growingapplicable-trend.html