This document discusses the positives and negatives of BYOD (bring your own device) programs in schools. It provides two case studies of schools implementing BYOD: Leicester Medical School, which issued each student an iPad, and Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth I College, where teachers use Twitter to share resources to promote independent learning outside of class. While BYOD can provide computer access and allow for personalized learning, it can also be distracting and raise issues of digital divide. Overall, the document advocates for a culture where students use their own devices and online skills to enhance their own education.

1. BYOD: Positives, Negatives, Cases
Terese Bird, Educational Designer
Leicester Medical School

2. Bring Your Own Device
Photo by speedofcreativity on Flickr

3. Type into google: socrative student login
• https://b.socrative.com/login/student/
• Room: 617809

4. Positives
• Computer power in class without booking PC lab
• Parents may be able to furnish more up-to-date items than
school can afford
• Personalised learning
• Quick learner data
Photo courtesy of Dave Lawler on Flickr …

5. Negatives
• Distraction
• Pupils harass others
• Requires good wifi
• Study links lifting mobile phone ban with poorer marks for
the low-achieving students (Beland & Murphy, 2015)

6. Beland & Murphy

7. Tablet v phone
Tablet Phone
Cannot phone
parents
Almost everyone
has smartphone
More like a book,
clipboard, folder
Cheaper than
tablet
Can be shared
more easily
3G/4G
More like a laptop

8. BYOD v School-purchased device
BYOD
School-
purchased
Cheaper for the
school
Cheaper for the
pupil
Pupil has exactly
the item she
wants
No digital divide
Pupil knows how
to use
All same platform

9. Case 1: Leicester Medical School - 1st UK medical
school to implement one-iPad-per-student

14. Case 2: Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth I College
Twitter for independent learning
• Economics, English, Maths teachers using Twitter
• “I post a lot of articles and links that provide wider reading”
• Twitter links to preparation for class debate
• Students commented that they like:
• Links to videos and graphics illustrating concepts
• Receiving the tweet, with notification on phone, outside
of class

16. Encouraging independent study
• “I post a lot of articles and links that provide wider reading or links that may
help with their Personal Statements. For example, I am about to post a link to
volunteering opportunities in Leicester. …They are often as a result of a
discussion we have had in class.”
• Have you seen evidence, in the students’ Personal Statements, that they
have taken heed of the tips and links you’ve shared on Twitter, encouraging
their wider reading and development?
• “I certainly have seen evidence in their statements as many students talk
about books that I have mentioned on Twitter. There is also the occasional
example of a student mentioning some voluntary work and when questioned
they have said they found the work via a link I tweeted.”

17. Conclusion
• BYOD in schools still controversial
• Tablets, iPod Touch have advantage over phones
• Culture
• Foster in students a mindset of using their skills, devices,
online communication habits to enhance their own
education — become independent lifelong learners

18. Thank you!
t.bird@le.ac.uk
• Beland, L.-P. and Murphy, R. (2015) Ill Communication:
Technology, Distraction & Performance, London, [online]
Available from: http://cep.lse.ac.uk/pubs/download/
dp1350.pdf (Accessed 15 June 2015).
• Walker, R. (2013) ‘“‘I don’t think I would be where I am
right now”’. Pupil perspectives on using mobile devices
for learning’, Research in Learning Technology, [online]
Available from: http://
www.researchinlearningtechnology.net/index.php/rlt/
article/view/22116/30011 (Accessed 13 September
2013).