5 Reasons Why BYOD is a Bad Idea

We’ve actually struggled with getting BYOD up and running at our school UNTIL we found this app called ClassCalc (http://classcalc.com)– it doesn’t solve all the problems (network, tech support) but it does take care of security. Basically, without gaining access to a student’s phone OS, teachers can lock students on to the app, so that all they can use is the calculator. I’ve heard they’re going to be integrating other apps as well (I hope so soon), but either way, when my students are in lockdown, I know no one is cheating or distracted.

All valid points, I would like to add a few more.
1. HOw do you validate the legitimacy of all software that is on your network, if the studetns bring their devices, you (the school) are ultimately responsible what is on your network.
2. how to you prevent the bringing in and spread of inappropriate material including pictures, music, texts and so on. How do you prevent antisocial and radicalication materials that have been spread in some schools already.
3. who is responsible if a device is damaged or stolen? what happens if its done in a disagreement between two students?
4. how do you ensure that the devices are being used for education not for distraction?
5. how do you ensure that photographs for instance are not taken of students and published in the wider audiance who should be protected?
6. having devcies at playtimes/lunchtimes lean towards bullying electronically.

Thanks Yasmine. After writing this post in 2012 and learning much more about it since, I believe BYOD can be very effective. As you noted (indirectly), it needs to be carefully planned and implemented. Simply having everyone bring devices, with no or limited plans to integrate them into teaching and learning, is a formula for failure, as per you experience.

BYOD is a really bad idea for schools. I recently started high school and BYOD was the new system. I can say from experience that almost all student are taking advantage of this. I see students on facebook, playing games and these students have true potential to do well but BYOD is such a distraction. Every day it feels like I am learning practically nothing. And when the princepal asks how the BYOD system is everyone says its good but they are not looking at it from the learning perspective. I was also trying to revise but my notes are way all over the place. And the poor kids have a 2002 Acer model that was from a second hand shop. The rich kids with the new Ipad air are mocking them because of this. I say we go back to good-old fashoined pen and paper and ditch BYOD.

I am a high school teacher. I see students coming to us from 8th grade unequipped for high school. With the advent of a new technology – calculators- the foundation for analytical skills dropped off exponentially. We made multiplication table memory a bad word. The students spend more time looking for numbers to put in their calculators and less time on analyzing the word problems. I didn’t see a calculator until I got to college. These students already can’t be away from their smart phones. This new BYOD will create an environment of more socialization and less student learning. I don’t believe that they should be allowed in school at all or put in lockers during the school day.

I agree with your post, I am a current high school student and I am doing a bit of research on this topic for civics. Funny thing, We had to start this project with everyone having a chrom book adn going to a specific page, however as I looked at my peers, I see half the people playing games online and the other half playing flappy birds on their ipods. However, even if they wanted to work, the internet is so messed up that it takes the entire period just to get connected. Projects that should take a period take a week or more. My father is a middle school teacher and has witnessed the decline himself. in the 1990’s when he started teaching, the end of 8th grade there was a big African American project where students would research an important person and at the end of the year would line the hallways became a museum displaying the history on a time line, however, as more technology was introduced, there was less time at the end for the project. Now, the African American history has been reduced to a week or less at the end of the year. This is supposedly one of the top high schools in the U.S. but if you ask me, of the worst educational ideas in the past century.

I undertand why you have mad these points but I respectfully disagree. I believe schools need to shift their classroom tech to reflect a diverse technology world. We need one iPod, netbook, computer, etc to help kids make critical decisions about why type of tech they use for what purpose. Class sets need to go. We need to be teaching critical thinkers not one specific piece of tech. See my blog entry with Bring Your Own Device in Primary.
http://techieang.edublogs.org/2012/03/23/byod-in-primary/

Thank you for writing this blog. You covered many points that are valid and of concern when it comes to BYOD. As a parent, I experienced the great things that resulted from this program being incorporated at my child’s school; it wasn’t about the inequalities of all children not bringing a device. It was quite the opposite. The school chose to try this program because they did not have enough technology to provide for every student and so when it came to working on projects and trying out new technology tools, teachers found themselves short on equipment and time. So with the rolling out of BYOD, I witnessed children who were excited about bringing their own electronics but the skills they learned in using these items beyond play was amazing. My child and his peers learned how to create their own web pages, they kept journals and exchanged their stories via the devices. The children also learned how to use and create different graphic organizers to assist them in their projects. I believe BYOD is not always going to be perfect but as Heather stated in her comments, “Don’t cap their creativity!” The students I observed were engaged in learning and following the set guidelines that were in place for using their personal devices in school.

I think you raise some very valid points here. BYOD may work well for some schools but others may find it a challenge. Equipment inequity is one that strikes a nerve with me. I get that life is not always fair and you need to make do with what you have but these are children who don’t have control over their parents’ financial situation. A school in my district had Smartboards a full three years before mine did because their students’ parents donated the money for them. The issues with distractions and content filtering are also good points. We would have to do a lot of teaching about appropriate/inappropriate use before letting students use their own devices. Digital citizenship would need to be added to all levels of curriculum.

I dont know. I picture the following: Bring their own scrolls? How could we control what the chilren are reading? How could we choose whether or not its appropriate? They could roll on and be in a totaly different place and I as teacher would have no control. Dumb Idea. lets keep them using the wax tablets as we normaly do.
More seriously, I think a lot of the points made are valid, but if we choose not to roll with the technology, we risk making our teaching apear even more archaic and irrelevent. I think that the advantage of BYOD is that it moves the teck suport issue firmly into the students hands, and incentivizes them to learn how to make it work in a more sophisticated way, than just shipping photographs of last nights party about.

I completely agree that BYOD yields many issues discussed in your piece, but there is a much larger issue when you look at technology integration. Teachers already struggle to integrate technology into the classroom, and if every device is not equipped to handle something like multimedia creation, the class ends up with the lowest common application which is web research and productivity. The point of technology in the classroom is to engage students, expand learning beyond the classroom and integrate new digital creation tools such as creating videos and podcasts. If all students do with BYOD technology is take notes and write papers, I don’t see the advantage to BYOD at all. Schools are much better off looking at a parent funded model where parents contribute funds to the purchase of the same device for every student. I have seen this done with success in my state and I hope other school districts around the country look at a similar program.

One last thing I have to mention. I have seen a school with a BYOD implementation and not every student brought a device to school each day. I don’t understand how the school called that a success. I would look very closely at any BYOD program that does not have standardized technology. Everyone wants to claim their program as a success , and I have yet to see a technology implementation at any school district where they openly claimed failure.

Thanks again to everyone for their comments on this controversial idea. Heather – I’ve sent you a couple emails to discuss evolving your comments into a full post, and look forward to hearing back from you!

I think the list you’ve put together is quite sound…indeed, each item could be overcome by certain measures, but who is really going to implement the follow-through to ensure that those measures will be taken? Forgive me for sounding like I’m taking the “path of least resistance”, but having standardized devices just seems to be easier in most cases for the reasons you’ve listed, especially # 3, due to “digital distractions” being an epidemic in classrooms anyway. One drawback I can see, however, is that there may be a bit of a time lag in getting to the “meat” of the learning experience due to the inevitability of kids having to adjust to an unfamiliar device. Just my $0.02.

@DougT there are plenty of pieces all over the Internet that show success, but I guess it is based upon your definition of “successful”.

Perhaps I missed it but where is your list stemming from as it appears to be merely thouts off the top of your head: experience in a BYOD environment, a hypothesis about what you think would be the issues, or compiled perspective of practitioners?

The limitations you imply with “specific applications” are the ones of views that stifle creativity, innovation, and productive uniqueness. The goal should never be to produce 20 work samples of likeness. Rather students should be exposed to a variety of tools and their knowledge of the content and their personal creativity in generating products to display their grasp of the content should be the driving force of tech use in classrooms. If you set out to “bless” one specific application for student productivity you’ve failed kids. Adults place the limitations and set a ceiling for student achievement.
As far as success stories you can google BYOD Success Stories and read a multitude. You can also join several communities and groups in Edmodo to share and hear real success stories as well as collaborate on fresh ideas.
I am a PK-5th grade campus principal. We use tech in a variety of ways and allow students to utilize it as a way of portraying their knowledge and application of their knowledge in creative and innovative ways.
Some students utilize a verbal blog for giving library book recommendations for books they’ve read, some students participate in written blogs. Some students partake in Skype book clubs with districts around the state as well as other states (not taken on another country yet). Some students have make trailers to give snippets of their knowledge. Some have created short movies, commercials, etc. Some teachers have students using Sundry Notes to keep an ongoing portfolio from year to year. Some use sonic pics, animoto, etc to make slide shows or movies of their learning. (It’s important to not many of the examples I’ve given have nothing to do with a specific app…most are completely web based). Weevly is another great tool for students to utilize to make their own web pages. Not “tech for tech’s sake” but rather as a real life 21 st century skill in researching, analyzing, and creating a platform for sharing learning.
The possibilities are endless when you don’t set the limits with thinking like this (the article). It may be hard. Yes! But, worth it? MOST DEFINITELY! We can’t even comprehend the future we are preparing our kids for. Don’t cap their creativity now!
I hope this small sampling of creative ways to utiliz tech (mainly web based) help those of you saying their no alternatives to inequities. Will inequities still exist? I’m willing to bet they do and will in your world, my world, our kids world’s until our good Lord calls us home. That shouldn’t define us. On my campus It won’t!

Here is one school in the UK thats had a programme for a while:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ukschools/archive/2012/01/03/bring-your-own-device-byod-at-saltash-net.aspx

In terms of how students can use devices as what they are tools. As a teacher I appreciate students having access to the internet, a camera & video recorder when they need it. I wouldnt want to be hobbled as a teacher by not having access to tools – and neither should students. It brings up useful conversations regarding the reliability of sources, plagiarism and citation early on, too.

Kelly – I completely agree with your assessments. You did ruffle feathers, but I’ve yet to see a response from someone who can provide real-life examples of BYOD successfully working in schools today. I’m anxious to read Mark’s examples of successful BYOD experience.

Wow – I really seem to ruffled some feather here! As regular readers know, I’m quite positive about education technology in general (but I don’t advocate “tech for tech’s sake” – it is important that tech efforts be carefully planned and thought out, with clear goals in mind). In this article, I am simply expressing legitimate concerns about the use of non-standardized equipment in a rather non-traditional approach. That being said, I’d love to hear from others who have overcome obstacles such as those I describe here, and I thank the readers below for their contributions. Maybe someone would take the time to explain just how these issues have been worked around in their schools. The comments below about how differences in equipment are a “fact of life” apply well to personal use of personal devices, but not as well to a group of students trying to use a specific application to accomplish a specific assignment. I would welcome an informed, experienced “counter point” article from some who would like to discuss what they are doing with BYOD – how they are actually using the devices in class work, and at what grade levels.

Although some of these concerns are mildly valid, and it is true that there are other issues stemming from a 1 to 1 BYOD, the benefits far outweigh these paltry issues. I honestly feel this article borderlines on fear mongering and tries to deter schools from making real positive change.

Common sense and real change in the classroom to stimulate student engagement solve most concerns mentioned. I mean seriously, web access, word processing, basic multimedia editing and a few other applications (free versions of all can be had) are the minimum requirements to most creative projects. A second hand iPad has all of these features.

The biggest problem is economic, and that some low income families just can’t afford it. This is where a school has a loaner/rental/leasing option that helps.

Sorry if this is harsh, and I do agree it is worth hearing all sides, but any school serious about improving education wouldn’t let any of these issues stop them from a BYOD shift.

These are pretty lame excuses not to mention some pretty irrelevant excuses for an opposing view on BYOD.
1. Mine is better: inequity is a fact of life…if a student is going to be compared based on technology you can bet with or without they’re already being compared then. So if it’s inequity in tennis shoes do we do away with the shoes or make what you have work?? Let’s throw out all educational benefit because Johnny compared his with Suzy. Really?
2. Tech Support: just as in a college class or your home you’re responsible for keeping your device running. If your personal iPhone breaks in your office do you expect your office tech guru to fix it? I’m betting no so why would it be any different in school??
3. Filtering: If Johnny’s given a phone by momma and no parental restrictions are placed on it then momma must not be too concerned about what Johnny looks up, huh?
4. Distractions: really? So minus technology and we got a classroom full of 100% engaged , 0% distracted kiddos. What classrooms you observed lately??
5. inequity in speeds/access: again, a fact of life. You make what you have work. An important skill for 21st century is problem solving.

The authoe of this article should have undertaken more research. Instead of prognosticating on possible problems and deficits the author should have taken the time to investigate the many successful examples of BYOD in schools. Of course there are issues: all eminently surmountable. The main issue is classroom management: get that right and you bring the boon of technology into the classroom. Articles like this are worryingly retrograde as they feed the fears of risk averse educational leaders and prevent progress. Whilst one must respect diverse opinion I’m frankly disturbed and disappointed to read this in Emerging Ed Tech. I am a teacher: devices are a bonus not a distraction in my classroom – students use them when necessary to take photos, both make & videos, take quizzes & polls and for research – phones, tablets & lap tops are out on the table & used with my permission. The classroom would be a poorer, restricted environment without them. Recommend this journal article: ‘7 myths about BYOD debunked’: http://thejournal.com/articles/2011/11/09/7-byod-myths.aspx?m=2

Thanks Mark, I can surely appreciate the occasionally frustrating nature of working with education technology. I really would love to have you or others who have made a success of BYOD share some insights and ways to combat the challenges it presents, so the offer is open!

Kelly, “reckless” might be a bit harsh. I have read far too many negative posts about BYOD and social media use in the class lately. Perhaps you took the brunt of my frustration. I’ll consider writing something and sending it to you. I do enjoy your blog and your insights.

Thanks Mark for sharing your perspective and passion. I’d love to hear how you have overcome these challenges. I am a bit surprised to hear my perspective labeled as “reckless” – I am a staunch advocate of well planned technology integration in education (and have successfully managed information technology for a number of organizations for several decades now). I’m not just throwing these thoughts out there, they are based on legitimate concerns. If you are open to it, I’d invite you to write a response to bring your experiences and insights to the dialogue – there is no better way to learn what works and what doesn’t than from those who have made a success of a specific instructional technology. I hope you’ll consider it. Thanks!

I’ve been using BYOD successfully for years. I find none of your points to be convincing or valid. “Mine is better than yours?” Maybe, if you teach kindergarten. Also, the best part of BYOD is that it eliminates the problems that filters present.

First, you have to understand the concept; then, you have to teach it. Throw Smartphones at kids, and it is likely to go badly. Teach them appropriate use, a whole new world of learning opens up.

Reckless posts like these are what frighten both educators and parents away from 21st-century learning.

Thanks for posting this perspective. I think it’s important to consider the benefits and challenges of BYOD as we bring more and more tech into our schools. Being aware of the possible pitfalls helps schools and teachers plan ahead. Good food for thought.