Ethos winter 2015 jp article

ACS Athens

Ethos Winter 2015, Vol.10, Issue 1

...shaping the minds of young people with Ethos to make the world a better place

ETHOS WINTER 2015

eduTech

Trends and Ideas Shaping Education Through Technology in the 21 st Century

ETHOS WINTER 2015

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Taking charge of own learning at ACS Athens

By John Papadakis, Director of Enrollment Management, Technology & Communications

T

he 2015-16 academic year has so far been a year of numerous initiatives regarding the use of technology in the classroom and in individual projects of students. One such initiative has been the implementation of the new BYOD policy, which requires all new and existing students entering grades 9-12 to bring their own laptop to school, always according to the class guidelines and rules of each teaching instructor and the technology policy of the school, as outlined in the Academy Program of Studies.

The BYOD approach, which has been adopted by the best international schools abroad, does not replace the existing computer lab structure (stationary or mobile) that continues to be used for computer courses, math and science projects and learning processes. Existing laptops and their carts continue to be utilized primarily on an individual student or project-based check-out basis and for use on specialized applications required by faculty in Math/Science/Computer Science classes, etc.

Description of the BYOD program

Our primary goal regarding the use of Technology in Education at ACS Athens is to envision, design, materialize, support and operate physical and virtual learning spaces, as students live in a world where they can learn

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anywhere, any time and from anyone.

Today’s students are all digital natives and live and operate in a multimedia world. All media they use in their everyday school life is in color and they prioritize based on visual learning. They don’t just need, but they demand to have creativity in their learning process. They learn best through trial and error and they constantly connect and collaborate. Most importantly, they expect and know how to access information that is live and interlinked.

A student survey conducted during the previous academic year showed that 65-70% of 8th-11th graders own a laptop less than 3 years old. That prompted us to pursue the BYOD model of technology integration and consider the implementation of this program this academic year.

BYOD in schools requires a device for every student that aides and enhances educational needs, offering access to technology at anytime, not only during the class, or only in the lab. The specialized technical staff in ACS Athens ensures uniform operation of devices and platforms while our stateof-art firewall device and security protocols safeguards network access and safety. Our robust network wi-fi infrastructure with large bandwidth ensures optimal connectivity throughout the campus. Of course, Technology Department continues to support students with devices on a special case by case basis.

How can BYOD be used

Students have easier and faster access to educational/instructional libraries so that research online becomes easier and more personalized. Coursework and assignments are easily accessible and managed. Students and teachers have a more direct access to data organization tools and web-based applications for classroom polling and quick tests or quizzes.

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Groups and individual students have easier access to production tools for Audio/Radio podcasts and video projects that may promote digital storytelling. Language learning becomes easier and more fun while course companion sites are one click away.

Benefits

Learning can happen anytime, anywhere without schedule or access restrictions. BYOD allows school to devote much-needed funding to other programs or technologies. Students have access to more personalized devices, that are commonly more up- to-date with newer features. The program allows for immediate application of digital classroom tools in the physical classroom. Families of students can take advantage of competitive pricing of tablets, smart-phones, and laptop computers. Owning a device offers students the opportunity to replicate a technology-rich environment already common in higher education and in the business environment. Finally, BYOD is the ideal platform for flexibility, that can support different learners with different needs.

The Educational Impact

Students become more engaged and motivated, but they are also held accountable for their learning, putting them in charge of their own learning experience. They are encouraged to continue learning outside of the classrooms while they tap into their individual learning preferences. BYOD helps students identify skills that will make them lifelong learners and gives them a preview of how their future college and work places will operate. â– â– Resources: https://youtu.be/ZL4ssuCDRXs

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