The face of technology in the classroom could soon change because of a new “bring your own device program” currently being looked at by WFISD.
“The bring your own device (idea) is just something the district is looking into,” Rider principal Judy McDonald said. “The district is setting up a committee, and they’re going to have some high school students, parents and teachers all together to see what the pros and cons of bringing this into the school would be.”
Campus technology teacher David White said if the program is adopted 20 wireless access points will be added to Rider, so anyone can connect to the Internet anywhere in the school.
Many types of devices would be allowed for use in the classroom.
“(The program) is going to allow students to bring their tablets, phones, or whatever electronic devices they have and use them in class,” White said.
Supporters of the program believe the program would allow students to access learning materials more quickly and efficiently.
“I think (it will benefit the students because) they will have more access to the Internet where they can use references very quickly in class and not have to wait on the computer systems or go to the lab,” McDonald said.
White agrees.
“Students would be able to pull up the periodic table in science class,” White said, “Wikipedia for research, or the things they usually do on a computer they could do on a more limited basis on a tablet or on a phone.”
McDonald said some problems may arise with the use of devices in school and the committee will address these issues.
“I think it will be something that will have to be monitored,” McDonald said. “Just because we have a bring device policy doesn’t mean students can have their phones out all time. the teachers still say take your phones out or put your devices away. It’s going to take an understanding that it’s not the freedom of having the devices out all the time, it’s the freedom of being able to use it when it will help with the instructional process.”
The program will probably not be seen for a couple years.
“There is a lot of infrastructure that’s necessary and that why it’s probably not going to be here for probably another year or two because of the fact that we have to have a lot of wireless hubs put in, and, of course, that all costs money,” McDonald said. “There is a lot of things to consider and for the school board to approve, so right now it’s really just in the investigative state.”
McDonald said the program would eventually save money since the school would not have to buy new technology as often.
“Initially it will cost more because of setting up the infrastructure,” McDonald said. “Eventually because so many people have their own device it will save us money.”
The program could add to traditional forms of teaching but not replace them.
“It’s not a requirement that teachers use (the bring your own device program) and it’s not a requirement that in every class everyone gets to use their devices,” McDonald said. “If there’s a teacher that prefers to use other methods of teaching then certainly they will still be allowed to use other methods that involve nothing of bringing your own device.”
White said once students get used to using the technology in class it will be beneficial to the school.
“There may be teachers that are hesitant about the students using their own technology,” White said, “but once they see what it can do, the benefits it has, how it can be managed and as long as the students are responsible I think the teachers will love it.
Assistant principal Synthia Kirby said if technology crashes, old fashioned things like textbooks could still be used.
“If the WIFI goes down it’s going to be a matter of when the tech support can get it back online. If it’s a device that has data I think in the long run it would help, because they can access the Internet through their own data as long as they have the plans that can support it,” White said.
In the end the students are responsible for whether the program, if implemented, will work or not.
“If enough students abuse (the program) then the whole school could lose it,” White said. “Students will just have to be very careful and make sure they are using the devices for what they’re supposed to be using them for, so that they don’t lose the privilege. This is a great opportunity for students. It’s an opportunity that’s been a long time coming. I think the students need to be able to use their own devices.”