Role of Teacher and Student in BYOD

Video Transcription

Hi, and thank you for joining me today to discuss the role of teacher and student in a BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device learning environment.

At the end of today's tutorial, we will be able to answer the following questions. What is the teacher's role in a BYOD classroom? What is the student's role on a BYOD classroom? And how are these roles different than in a traditional classroom?

To review quickly what BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device means, this is a classroom that relies on students to bring their own devices from home. These devices can be used to supplement the devices provided by school, creating a 1-to-1 learning environment.

And it demands considerable teacher planning to align objectives of the unit across various devices. And it demands considerable teacher planning to align objectives of the unit across varied devices. This is true within an actual class setting and from class to class or period to period.

It also relies on a teacher's knowledge of OpenSource, which is a production software that creates content that can be viewed on any device, regardless. So a student with an iPhone is seeing the same thing as a student with, possibly, an Android.

So what is the teacher's role in a BYOD classroom? Well, they are a coach or tutor, and they can encourage and celebrate the students. They facilitate deep learning, discussion, and collaboration. They design problem-based activities and opportunities for extension of learning that can be completed either individually or in small groups. And this is dependent on various factors, such as the frequency, number, platform, and dependability of student-provided devices.

They instruct content and foundational skills. They can analyze student data to make instructional decisions. They coordinate co-operative grouping where at least one device is available per group. They differentiate, personalize. They can assess and provide actionable feedback. And they can ensure equity and access.

Teachers in these classrooms focus on foundational skills, problem-solving, and higher-order thinking skills. And there's decreased time in teacher-centered, lecture-based activities.

So what is the role of the student in a BYOD classroom? Well, students in these classrooms can move at their own pace, and they can increase the self-initiation and ownership of learning. There's more collaboration between students themselves and between student and teacher, as students become an active participant in their learning. They're also problem-solvers, they're creators, and they're more engaged in their learning.

Keep in mind that these roles vary with the number of students with devices and the frequencies with which those devices are available. This just means in a BYOD classroom, when we're relying on students bringing their own devices, there may be days when not all of the students have their devices with them. Or, in terms of equity, there may be some students who don't have devices at all, which means you might be using group work a lot more, because you have to group students with others who have those devices, which changes the role of the student as well.

So how are the roles in a BYOD classroom different than those of a traditional classroom? Well, teachers do not have the ability in a traditional classroom to analyze student assessment data in real time. But they do have the ability to do that in a BYOD.

Teachers may also be the only source of content knowledge in a traditional classroom. But in a BYOD classroom, there are multiple online resources that we can refer to as experts in the different subject areas.

In a traditional classroom, students are restricted by available resources. And this can actually still be a problem in a BYOD classroom if we're relying on the students to consistently bring in their devices, because that may or may not happen. And some students may not have devices at all, which we've already talked about. And teachers may have fewer opportunities to support learning through online platforms while working in smaller group settings in traditional classrooms. But in BYOD classrooms, this isn't as much of a problem.

Let's take a moment to reflect. What are some challenges you might experience in the new role of teacher in a BYOD classroom? And what are some challenges your students might face in their new role in a BYOD classroom?

OK, so today we were able to discuss what the role was of a teacher in a BYOD classroom, and what the role was of a student in a BYOD classroom. We also talked about how these roles differ from that of a traditional classroom.

For more information on how to apply what you've learned in this video, please view the additional resources section that accompanies this video presentation. The additional resources section includes hyperlinks useful for applications of the course material, including a brief description of each resource. Thanks for joining me, and happy teaching.