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The Student News Website of Susquehannock High School,   Glen Rock, Pennsylvania.

SHS Courier

The Student News Website of Susquehannock High School,   Glen Rock, Pennsylvania.

SHS Courier

Teachers try more technology to achieve success

In an age where technology is everywhere, the new program, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) has teachers attempting to make electronics a norm in education.

For those unfamiliar with the policy, it involves students bringing their personal devices to be used in the classroom as a regular part of the curriculum. These tools could include iPads, iPhones, Kindles, and many others.

The program has raised controversy with numerous arguments made by both supporters and critics.

One supporter is math teacher JC Lewis who is trying to get the program started here, preferably in advanced courses.

“It’s going to make everything outside of school more accessible,” Lewis said.  With BYOD, such courses could have video lectures and class-related chatrooms available outside of school, leaving more time for one on one help and instruction from the teacher during class time.

Lewis heard of the program through education websites and colleagues and was eventually told about it specifically by Principal Robert Bryson.

Senior Ellie Lesko also agrees that BYOD would be very helpful, especially in advanced courses like Calculus AB.

“It would be nice to talk to everyone outside of school. We have a Facebook group, which is nice, but it would be nice to go past that,” Lesko said of her math class. Like Lewis, Lesko believes that as technology spreads elsewhere, so it must spread  in the classroom.

“Eventually, all textbooks will be digital,” Lesko said as an example.

Junior Jenni Ferg also sees positives in BYOD.

“It makes sense because so many kids have iPhones now,” said Ferg.

Despite many supporters, there are also those staunchly against BYOD.

Many are wondering about the students who cannot afford the technology or do not have access at home. According to the National Education Association, schools could provide said tools, but this would be a large financial strain, especially on already underprivileged schools. Others worry that students without the technology could fall behind in work or not receive the same educational benefits and learning experience. These students would also stand the chance of being bullied. Rather than clothing or music choices, they could be mocked for not having the most recent electronics.

“I think that the biggest [problem] is if people cannot bring technology in…unless you’re able to provide supplies for those students,” said Lewis.

BYOD has already been implemented in schools in Minnesota, Texas, Ohio, and Georgia; students will have to wait and see if Susquehannock will follow their lead.

Sources:

http://neatoday.org/2012/07/19/should-schools-embrace-bring-your-own-device/

Help with tech: Lewis helps junior Mollie Flowers with the aid of his iPhone.
Photo By: Konnie Brown


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Teachers try more technology to achieve success