BYOD Learning Structures: The Future of Education?

In this day and age, we've all either been in a classroom that utilizes a 'bring your own device' (BYOD) learning experience, or we know someone who has. Despite the fact that there are so many obvious benefits to using smartphones, e-readers, tablets and laptops in the classroom, there are still parents and teachers who have an aversion to the sudden introduction of this new technology. Though their concerns - that the kids might be distracted, that it may encourage the use of unmonitored social networking, that there will be an issue for less wealthy students, et cetera - are legitimate, it's unrealistic to consider resisting such a movement considering how quintessential technology is becoming in modern life.

A recent study shows that educators who have implemented technology into their classrooms have noticed a significantly improved level of engagement from their students. One teacher, for example, realized that her lesson plans needed to undergo a radical change - her students were demonstrating a lack of focus, which left them stumped by the traditional-style lectures and showing poor test scores. To switch things up, the teacher decided to begin recording her lectures and uploading them to iTunes. Thus, they absorbed the material when at home and engaged in hands-on problem solving when in the classroom. That year, the students scored an average of 4.11 on the AP calculus test: a steep 10% increase from the previous year. A third of the class received the highest possible mark, a 5.

Another recent study showed that 78% of grade-school educators and administrators have noticed a positive impact on their students' productivity, and 65% of educators even think that due to the influx of technology in the classroom, students are more productive today than they were three years ago.

So what makes e-learning systems so beneficial? A combination of factors, to be sure. Nowadays, it's rare to see a person of acceptable age without at least one mobile device -- and for many people, they have that device on them at all times. Students of the technological age are now equipped with two types of brains: their physical ones, and their technological ones. To simply ignore such a powerful tool, especially one that's easily accessible, would be foolish on an educator's part. The possibilities are literally endless. Though, as aforementioned, there are legitimate concerns about having technology in the classroom, the pros outweigh the cons - such a wealth of information can make students more able and effective people. One journalist likened ignoring the ability to use technology to ignoring the ability to use writing - we'd be forgoing a tool that allows us to "capture and store knowledge."

It's merely important for educators and administrators to recognize and adapt to the potential risks of using technology, but that was an easily overcome hurdle when it came to introducing desktop computers in the classroom. With the right security measures and the adoption of the right software, BYOD teaching and e-learning systems offer great value to students, parents, and educators.