HIGHER EDUCATION | BYOD SPECIAL
academic or professional use of this. But there are alternatives to BYOD.
At Leeds Beckett University, the institution has also explored giving out personal devices for learning rather than expecting students to use their own. Early results suggest that staff, and to a slightly lesser extent students, prefer this kind of provision: students are reassured that they have the correct kit and that other students can keep up too, while staff feel confident that they are offering an equal learning experience.
“Historically we've often failed to use students’ digital know-how and their resources”
A robust and reliable network is first on
the ‘to-do list’ for any university thinking of promoting BYOD. Universities also have to grapple with correct sign-on and authentication procedures, and ensure that their security is top notch. Moreover, there’s support for digital literacy that needs to be fostered. At Manchester Metropolitan University and Sheffield Hallam Universities, ‘Bring Your Own Devices for Learning’ began life as a collaboration between developers who saw that students and staff needed more support in using their own technology to support learning and teaching. The initiative has evolved into an open online course, curated twice a year but also open to anyone to progress through at any time. One participant described it as “a truly memorable learning experience.” Beetham goes on: “Rather than
individual academics taking this up, the next step is for universities to do that at a course or curriculum level by sharing good classroom practice and having a positive induction for students and staff.” So can we abandon fixed computing
Primary and secondary PGCE students at the University of Hull have been loaned iPads to support their learning and allow them to experiment in the classroom. How do we manage a classroom of
students with their own devices? The skill of the lecturer is crucial. Beetham says: “Historically we've oſten failed to use students’ digital know-how and their
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resources. There’s been a sense that students will use them in class to find material that's not relevant. The way to counteract that is to be really proactive and model exactly what you want them to do, and what the benefits will be for their learning.” She sees an example of a good use as taking an existing resource or tool such as Evernote or social bookmarking, and modelling the
altogether? It’s unlikely. Beetham explains that students still need access to good printing facilities; subject specialist soſtware and instruments such as data analysis and design tools will need to be provided by the university. “And students still seem to like meeting up and working together in places where they all have access to the same facilities, and where the institution is providing what they need – places like traditional computer labs.” But what’s clear is that the blend of fixed
and personal computing is here to stay. The question is more how we can continue to support students and staff adequately to reap the benefits of BYOD for learning. ET
Image: Bigstock
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