Samantha Axon and Reilly O’Neill, Reporters
@SAxonCourant
@RONeillCourant
In the past, communicating lessons at NCHS have consisted of PowerPoints, whiteboards, and worksheets. Last Spring a pilot, or trial run, of the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program was implemented; the goal being to integrate a variety of technological resources into classrooms.
The pilot of the Bring Your Own Device Program formally began last spring which included a handful of students from the current junior class. These students brought in laptop computers and used them in class in the place of pen and paper.
Freshmen are asked to bring in their own tablet or computer that are compatible with the necessary applications. “If you can bring in your own device and use it in class with school-related apps on it, then you can work on it both in school and at home,” senior and TechXpert Jarrett Valenti said, “whereas if you were to take something from the library you could only use it in the library.”
Director of Digital Learning, Matthew Salvestrini agreed with the positive effects of the program. He was not present for the pilot program last year, but interviewed students about their experience; the pilot was generally very successful among students who participated. “Having a device simplifies the student’s’ life, it is one location to keep all of their learning resources such as their notes. They are able to have one platform which they take from classroom to classroom,” Mr. Salvestrini said. “It also provides them chances to collaborate really well with other students on Google Docs where colleagues can comment.”
However, in order for collaboration like this to occur, devices are required, and an issue that has been raised by parents is the financial strain it can have on a multi-student household. Tablets and computers cost an average of $400 each. As a result, the school will provide the option of renting devices to students who may not otherwise be able to afford one for a very low fee. “We don’t want financial issues to be something which gets in the way of somebody having the device to support their learning,” Mr. Salvestrini said.
Another issue that has been raised is the increased opportunity for students to cyber bully each other through devices that are intended to be used for schoolwork. “People are very concerned about cyberbullying and being off-task,” English teacher Ari Weeks said.
Mr. Salvestrini thinks a good way to solve this issue would be to teach the students how to use devices responsibly with lessons, “In preparation for this we are making sure that we have digital citizenship lessons which are in place and being taught to all 9th graders. So we are not just providing students with a device we’re also helping them understand how this device can be used in a responsible, reliable manner,” he said.
So with the expansion of this new program many think it will bring many positives, including the opportunity to learn digital responsibility and, “to keep up technologically at home and school,” Jarrett said. It also creates opportunities for students to be technologically creative. “We’re not just giving them a laptop to WordPress, we are thinking of new ways to use the technology,” Ms. Weeks added.
In the future we hope to see even more positive impacts of this program. “Overall, this is the 21st century. And school, which is a staple and has been a staple for hundreds of years, needs to keep up with the changes in technology,” Jarrett said.
