BYOD and Classroom Management

Resorting to the BYOD  is not something that a teacher can just wake up and decide upon alone. There is need to convince the administrators of the advantages of such a venture. All the stake holders need to be brought on board. You have to know the number of students that own their own devices and how many parents are ready to support the idea of buying their children the devices. The school also has to agree to this set up and develop a policy for using these devices.

The BYOD method is one that allows the learners to carry their mobile technology devices to school to help enhance learning. Some of the mobile devices that the learners can bring or easily carry to school include; Smart phones, iPads, Tablets and laptops.  Whether the learners use Cell phones, or specific device that the teacher decides to use (learning standardized devices), or bring any technology device they have, they will still achieve the same end in terms of learning, engagement and achievement. Using these mobile devices in Classroom has its advantages and disadvantages and the teacher may find it difficult to control a funny class that is using cell phones. However, there are steps that could be followed to help the teacher manage the classroom and avoid distractions.

With my S.5 literature class, I asked them to form WhatsApp groups which they did, and these were monitored by the teachers on school practice even though I set up the practice. I would give them tasks to do during the holidays and they would share information and discuss ideas without having to move from home.  Unfortunately, when the teachers left, I took long to assume the responsibility and the learners got distracted and started using the groups for their personal issues to the point of bullying each other. But now I know better. 
·         Establish ground rules that the learners have to adhere to and also lay out consequences for violation of established policies.
·         Allow them to get past the initial excitement so that they can be more focused when they delve into their work.
·         The task you give them should be engaging and require students to stay on task at a solid pace in order to complete them. Ensure assignments require students to stay engaged. For instance; set firm due dates for assignments, scale assignment for students who finish faster. Students need to be challenged in order to find their assignments meaningful and engaging.
·         You should be able to get the learners to know that there are specific times when they will be using the technology and when they will need to keep them away. It is not that they will be using them always.
·         As a teacher, you should be prepared to move constantly, look at the work they are doing, discuss and engage the learners about their progress.