BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

Written by Verna Grant

There once was a time when cell phones were not allowed in school. But with the growth of bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies in schools, that is no longer the case. This type of policy encourages students and staff to bring their own device on campus in order to integrate technology and learning.

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With school libraries becoming the hub for students to work or collaborate in, those devices are ending up in the library as well. This can be beneficial to the students, the school, and the library. Not only are students learning from devices that they are familiar with, but schools can save money on purchasing and keeping up to date with technology. It also helps to resolve the problem of a shortage of computers that are available in the library (National Library of New Zealand).

Libraries can begin addressing the use of devices by taking positive steps towards technology use. This could be by implementing policies about the devices, teaching skills about digital citizenship and literacy (such as the lessons provided by Common Sense Media), and keeping students informed on how they can access the library catalog, databases, and e-books (National Library of New Zealand).  Because students may not have access to databases the school provides as they move on, they also need to be taught the skills to search for and evaluate the information they find on the open web (Taylor,Subramanium, Waugh, 2015).

Watch the video below to see why the Peel District School Board decided to start implementing their BYOD policy.

Technology is such an important part of the world today that students need to understand how to gather, create, and share information responsibly. School libraries, as the center of information literacy, should proactively be part of the solution of preparing students with the different types of technology they have available to them. In order to do that school libraries need to prepare.

Setting up policies and preparing lessons are just the beginning. School libraries need to be equipped for the devices by having wireless network access, more outlets available, and spaces for the students to work together or alone. Both teachers and library staff need professional development to make the best use to the BYOD policies. Library staff also need to collaborate with teachers on lessons, discuss what works, and provide insight on how to made BYOD even more successful. The goal needs to be that students leave with the ability to use technology and information skillfully and safely as they continue to learn and move closer to becoming adults.

Works Cited

National Library of New Zealand. (n.d.). BYOD in the school library. Retrieved from http://schools.natlib.govt.nz/school-libraries/your-library-online/byod-school-library

PeelSchools. (2013, January 23). Why BYOD? Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7zHdGfN530

Rogado, O. L. (n.d.). Tabletas digitales [Digital image]. Retrieved from http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/tabletas-digitales-royalty-free-image/464639997

Taylor, N. G., Subramaniam, M., & Waugh, A. (2015, February 26). The school librarian as learning alchemist: Transforming the future of education [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2015/02/26/the-school-librarian-as-learning-alchemist/