This document summarizes a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) pilot project at Somerset House Primary school. The school rationale was that access to technology tools is important for students' education. The pilot started in June 2011 with wireless infrastructure upgrades. Teachers and students brought a variety of personal devices including laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Most devices were used for notes, projects, research, and electronic submissions. The pilot had a positive impact on learning for 55% of students and was considered very effective by 83% of teachers. The school plans to continue the pilot program with ongoing parent and teacher support.

1. BYOD?
Bring Your Own Device
Pilot Project
by Michele Botha
Somerset House Primary

2. BYOD…?
Pupils bringing their
own personal device
to school, whether it
be a laptop,
smartphone, media
player or tablet

3. School Rationale
O We feel that access to the tools
and resources of a world-wide
network, and understanding when
and how these tools are
appropriately and effectively
used, is imperative to each pupil’s
education if they are to succeed
in this global electronic age.
O We want to teach pupils to be
responsible, confident and
capable users of ICT in the 21st
Century.

4. Why?
O Cost effective – using what is already
available and familiar
O Frees school’s resources for others
O Based on work place practices by many
large companies
O Greater individual responsibility

5. O Caters for different learning styles and
preferences
O Allows for anytime anywhere learning
O Increases engagement and involvement in learning
process

7. logistics?
O Planning started in June 2011 with an
infrastructure upgrade
O Campus is fully wireless with state or the art
servers
O Teachers became part of TYDH (Take Your
Device Home)
O Teachers surveyed as to skills level with on-going
support provided
O Parent Information Evenings
O Use of device for adding value to learning

8. Staff ICT Proficiency
COMPETENT, 19
%
BEGINNER, 32%
DEVELOPING, 4
9%

9. The reality
smart phone
21%
laptop/netboo
k
45%
internet
enabled media
player tablet
14% 20%

10. How devices were used
emailing
teachers
0% 1%
Studying
13%
Notes
26%
Research
14%
ebooks
1% Electronic
submissions
11% Projects
34%

11. Sample projects

12. Impact on learning
Negative
Impact
14%
No Change
31%
Positive
Impact
55%

13. Responsibility level
Irresponsible
6%
Average
24%
Good
70%

14. Effectiveness so far
Moderately
Not
Effective
effesctive
6%
at all
11%
Very Effective
83%

15. Way forward …
O Pilot Project will be continuing in 2013
O On-going Parent Information evenings
O On-going Teacher Support
O Implementation of better Content
Management System