Bring Your Own Device
The BYOD Phenomenon
BYOD is a phenomenon that exists in business and education. In education BYOD is reshaping the way IT is purchased, managed, delivered, and secured. It is proving to be a cost effective way of getting digital devices in to the hands of the learner while allowing the user to access the school's network. Students are allowed to bring their own digital device as a learning tool. The school requires devices to be configured with passwords, prohibits specific types of applications from being installed on the device and may require all data on the device to be encrypted. This is simply an effort to ensure student fidelity to the learning. Other BYOD security policy initiatives may include limiting activities that students are allowed to perform on these devices at school with periodic IT audits to ensure the device is in compliance with the school's BYOD security policy and COPPA rules and regulations. Responsible use guidelines and policy are of utmost importance for BYOD to be a success.
1-1 Initiatives
Transforming the way we teach
While the most visible component of 1-1 initiatives are providing a wireless computing device for every student and teacher, this initiative also addresses pedagogy, technology infrastructure, policy, professional development, community engagement, funding, and organization as necessary components of a sustainable model for supporting college and career future-ready students in the United States. The digital transformation is one of the tenants of a larger strategic plan to ensure that students are prepared for bright and prosperous futures as they are exposed to rigorous and relevant instruction in every classroom, everyday. It is designed to transform the instructional delivery of content, information and resources in our schools. The decision to move forward with a digital transformation should be grounded in research, partnerships with other school districts and extensive front-end work utilizing a researched framework.
Distance Learning
Alternatives to traditional classrooms
Distance learning provides an online exchange which affords students the opportunity to enroll in courses at campuses all across the world. Barriers such as distance, age, and time are broken down so that learning is available at the touch of a mouse. There is an appetite for online learning. Online classrooms are becoming a distinct part of college life while also being offered as commonplace at some middle and high schools as well. While learning online doesn't replace the relationships that can be built in the traditional face to face classroom, it does provide many learners an alternative. In “most” cases, online classes are asynchronous. You can log in anytime and from anywhere to complete your work and participate in classroom activities, just as long as you complete all your work by the required deadlines. With commitment to scheduling and focus online can be a more than satisfactory alternative to the traditional classroom model.
Hybrids
Not just for cars
Hybrid classrooms offer an opportunity for a combination of face to face learning blended with online course work and assignments. A hybrid classroom is one where the students meet face-to-face with the teacher, has extensive internet content, uses only relevant technology and strives to provide real world context so students leave skilled, knowledgeable and well prepared. This model learning community uses best practices including a collaboration between learners and facilitators in innovative education projects.This model has become ideal as education is experiencing budget cuts. Whether you use a Learning Management System (LMS) like Blackboard, Moodle or Angel or you use a wiki, a blog or a class website, these are the basics of a hybrid classroom: -Week’s Plan or Calendar -Announcement Area -Access Links and Course -Resources -Self Publication Space -Collaboration Space -Assessment Center